6N Penalty/Try ratio since 2000

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2013/rugby/story/178694.html

Something seems to have happened around 2005; Discuss...

 

[Big Ewis]

About the tries:
* Teams becoming more competitive. Italy no longer concedes 80 POINTS when playing England and co. for e.g. That's the obvious argument.
* Teams playing more conservatively. Defenses are tighter, this year is a great example of great defense being played by every single team in the tournament, all 6 nations, save a few games where one team just never got in the match (ENG SCO, SCO ITA...). I think coaching staff and authorities realized the importance of defense perhaps taking note from the English, and have become much more realistic. It's just an empirical science, if you want to win, play conservatively: use your scrum, work on your defense so that it becomes impenetrable, and then kick in some penalties. Nations realized that vision was more pragmatic and realistic, since after all the only goal is to win games...France itself known for its flair has played very conservatively the past few years on certain occasions unfortunately...

 

[Jbobo]

As Yoe pointed out, teams have simply become more competitive. England and France are no longer dominant in any way. For example, since 2005 Wales no longer get their annual hammering by England, the same goes for Italy and Scotland. The game has also changed to being much more reliant of physicality than flair. Teams like France who used to be known for their attacking flair, or Wales who were known for always playing 'sexy rugby' now play this forwards based/power attack game similar to England and Ireland. There might be something to be taken from how much time is now spent resetting the scrum over and over in every game too.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I think it's worth noting that the weather during quite a few of the games has made try scoring gameplay extremely difficult. Also there difference between teams at the top and bottom has narrowed.

 

[LittleGuy]

On an aside I can't remember a 6N in recent memory that has had as few drop goals as this one has, it dosen't seem like there have been very many attempts either which is suprising due to the closeness of the scorelines and the realtive lack of tries.

 

[Big Ewis]

^ yeh that's true. Just a couple by Italy over France in that first match...I remember Orquera's early, forgot about Burton's.

Of course this year, as we've said it very very often this tournament, has been absolute crap in terms of pure rugby quality, and raw pro sports ability. The games have looked like rounds of chess or some sort of board game rather than a running team sport. Just think of IRE ENG. And of course with injury, and a team like France in complete chaos and confusion...we're better than this in the NH.
So this year let's not forgot the hindrances that have completely suffocated certain nations even more, and some mentioned the conditions which def. have played a part as well.

But it's true a "new" tendency seems to have taken shape for the 6N sides, though not brand new; we look that much more distinct from the SANZAR nations.
This year more than previous years, clearly...we ARE the scrum teams. The super-tight defense, forward-oriented scrum machines.
It's a shame, and hopefully we can find a better balance to include more creativity in the damn game.