Super League - Round 6

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Natal Sharks vs Racing Metro 92
Location - Kings Park Stadium
Sunny, 29 degrees, 11 mph North Easterly winds

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 The Sharks
DoR: Ozzy3213

01. Cian Healy	09. Danny Care
02. Stephen Moore	10. Quade Cooper
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Pieter-Steph du Toit	11. George North
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Francois Steyn
06. Sam Warbuton	13. Conrad Smith
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Marland Yarde
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. James O'Connor

16. Sebastien Bruno 17. Tendai Mtawarira 18. Lourens Adriaanse 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Willem Alberts 21. Freddie Michalak 22. Patric Lambie 23. JP Pietersen

TACTICS

We will play a traditional South African gameplan in the forwards, being ultra physical and looking to dominate the collisions in attack and defence.  We are aiming to control possession by running the ball in great conditions, using the pack and big backs off first phase ball, with support runners on the ball carriers shoulder for the offloads in or just prior to contact.  We will be looking to play our game at a high tempo. Cooper will play flat with the outside backs coming from positions of depth to gain momentum.  In defence we will employ the blitz and look to hit the ball carrier before he hits the gainline to stop Metro getting any momentum.  Danny Care will act as a sweeper behind the defensive line.

• Breakdown.  In attack we will put numbers in rucking past the ball to free it up quickly to go again.  If on Care will snipe to keep us going forwards.  In defence we will be selective.  If it is on to clear out and turn ball over we will throw numbers in to do so, otherwise we will keep a strong defensive line.
  
• Spaces not faces.  Our runners will target the gaps in the defensive line rather than defenders and look to breach the gainline regularly.  If Roberts blitzes on Cooper, Danny Care to simply miss pass to 12 and put Steyn into the hole in the defensive line in the 12 channel.
  
• Wingers. North and Yarde to track the play off their wings looking for the offloads to go through gaps in midfield.
  
• Scrum.  We will Target Ryan Grant.  He only arrived at Metro on Wednesday.  Scrummaging requires unity and combined effort in the front 5 and there is no way he can be settled and work as part of a cohesive unit already.  JdP to really attack the link between him and Strauss.
  
• Target Cuthbert.  Alex Cuthbert signed this morning (Friday) and will have no idea on defensive patterns.  We will look to get men over on his side and islotate him 2 on 1 where his defensive decision making is not great at the best of times.
  
• Metro Pack Fatigue.  Strauss, Retallick, Lydiate and Louw have started every game (League and Cup) this season.  At this level with the intensity and collisions they have to be feeling fatigue now.  Faletau has started every game since signing in R3 and Kruger has only missed one game.  That's a lot of players at risk of feeling a bit leggy in this one.  We have rotated with only Courtney Lawes starting every game so far.
  
• Form Bathite mentions that Steyn is in poor form, but the Super Rugby season has not yet started.  If he is considered out of form, then so to must Roberts be, as he has no form to speak of having been out injured all season so far.  In terms of in game form, we have it, along with confidence and momentum.
  
• Home Advantage. Along with form, confidence and momentum we have home advantage.  Including this game, our last 5 games are 4 in South Africa and 1 England.  Counting back for Metro it's South Africa, France, England, France. Travel has to take it's toll and make home advantage even bigger.
  
• Bench. We have a bench containing 8 full internationals, who can all provide great impact in the final quarter of the game.
  

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Racing Metro

01. Ryan Grant	09. Ben Youngs
02. Andries Strauss	10. Jonathon Sexton (k)
03. Juan Figallo
04. Juandre Kruger	11. Juan Imhoff
05. Brodie Retallick	12. Jamie Roberts
06. Dan Lydiate	13. Marcelo Bosch
07. Francois Louw (c)	14. Alex Cuthbert
08. Toby Faletau	15. Ben Smith

16. Adam Jones 17. Dimitri Szarzewski 18. Soane Tonghu'ia 19. Jone Qovu 20. Wenclas Lauret 21. Sebastian Descons 22. Jonathan Wisnewski 23. Benjamin Fall

TACTICS
We've got a very settled side, that has been very lucky with injuries and now, off the back of 2 big wins against Tigers and Toulouse. With this confidence and in perfect running conditions, we'll look to play with a bit more possession in the middle third. Fatigue isn't a consideration this early into the season and we've got great options on the bench to come on after 50 minutes. Jones, Szarz, Tiny, Qovu, Lauret are all full internationals that will make a significant impact in the second half.

We'll look to use a very quick and mobile back row to get to that breakdown first and give Youngs/Cooper slow ball to play off, where they are at their least effective. With Michalak as the 9 on the bench, there is no commander, tactical player to come on and change it at SH. Lydiate clearing out, Louw forcing the turnover and Faletua playing it as he sees it. We've picked a big scrummaging front row, with two very good technical operators.....We have Jones and Tiny to come off the bench in the second half to add fresh legs and mobile ball carriers in the loose.

- Look to target the link between Care and Cooper. Both are great players, but very similar and like to play instinctively with pace. We'll get our mobile backrow to slow the ball down for Care, forcing him to dig for it and allowing us to set up defence against Cooper
- Roberts to lead the blittz defence on Cooper, aiming to tackle high with the choke and prevent offloads. We'll looking to isolate individuals and allow back row to compete for turnovers. Youngs to sweep up
- Without time and space for Care and Cooper, we can force them to take too much on themselves, get isolated and turned over and in the case of Cooper, look for those loopy miss passes for intercepts.
- Use Sexton flat on the gainline, drawing defenders, with Bosch and Roberts offering short pops and Faletau, Retallick offering the inside ball to keep them narrow. Smith and Bosch both encouraged to come into the line either before Roberts or on his shoulder, looking for the offload.
- Truck Roberts and Bosch down the 10 channel all day. Steyn has been in really poor form, out of the national side and overweight in the super season and not played alongside Cooper much at all. If Cooper defends at 15 like he does for the Reds, we'll look to isolate him 1:1, where his defence is even worse. 
- We've got a world class spine in this time at 2,5,8,9,10,12,15 and these blokes will lead the team, their experience and decision making will be crucial. The 8 9 10 12 is a very familiar unit from the Lions tour.
- In the backs, we are incredibly solid defensively and have a nice mix of power (Roberts, Imhoff, Cuthbert), pace (Smith, Cuthbert, Youngs) and guile (Sexton, Smith and Bosch)
- Many teams have targeted Roberts defensively, so we will use Roberts to draw in defenders on the dummy run and bring Smith into the line. Use Sexton on the wrap around loop and also interchange Bosch and Roberts to keep them guessing.
- Louw to play as out and out 7, looking to slow ball and force turnovers. In Faletau and Louw, we have two blokes that are brilliant at turning over ball. Both can't be stopped!
- Use Strauss, Retallick, Faletua, Lydiate as our big ball carriers around the fringes to keep the defence narrrow. Youngs to snipe and look for mismatches against forwards to keep them honest.

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Stormers vs Toulouse
Location - Newlands Stadium
Sunny Intervals, 27 degrees, 13 mph Southerly winds

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Stormers

01. Alex Corbisiero	09. Dewaldt Duvenage
02. Scarra Ntubeni	10. Owen Farrell (k)
03. Nicolas Mas
04. Eben Etzebeth	11. Julian Savea
05. James Horwill	12. Jean De Villiers (c)
06. Tom Wood	13. Juan De Jongh
07. Sean O'Brien	14. Christian Wade
08. Duane Vermeulen	15. Jaco Taute

16. Tian Liebenburg 17. Stephen Kitschoff 18. Brok Harris 19. Rynhardt Elstadt 20. Siya Kolisi 21. Louis Schrouder 22. Elton Jantjies 23. Chelsin Kolbe

Look to play a simple game based around the strong set piece game to secure possession. The pack is full of heavy carriers to get over the gain line consistently and capable of clearing out the rucks quickly and efficiently to create quick ball when possible. Look to create quick ball off pods outside the fringe defences of the ruck. Faz to run the game. Duvenage will look to keep the defences honest and punish any lapse in fringe defence by sniping any holes. Looking for any quick ball for Faz to orchestrate the attacking movements of the backs, and to keep the opponents guessing. Faz to play flat in attack to bring in the centres who can play simple and direct rugby or get it wide to our dangerous back three.

Set-piece - strong and efficient, put pressure on in certain situations on opposition ball. Eg clearing kicks from scrums and line outs in their 22
Breakdown - Collectively look to clear ball and smash opposing players out of the way. Opposing slow down legally by flooding the breakdown. 
Keep ball in hand - We can't afford to give away silly possession and kick aimlessly to the oppo back three. 
Playing the %'s - Faz will keep the board ticking over.
Working on Players - Corbs to target Afoa at the scrum, Wood to man mark Alba come the line out, with Etze up at the front.

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StadeToulousian
DOR: Driver
 

01. Guthro Steenkamp	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Tom Youngs	10. Remi Tales
03. John Afoa
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Hosea Gear
05. Patrico Albacete	12. Christian Leialiffano
06. Thiery Dusitour (c)	13. Florain Fritz
07. Michael Hooper	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Louise Pickamoles	15. Leigh Halfpenny (K)

16.Christopher Tauloufa 17.Vasil Kokovan 18.Cencus Johnstone 19.Joe Tekori 20.Yannick Nyanga 21.Jean Doussain 22.Luke McCallister 23.Maxime Medard

We've gone for what we know best and that is a power game based on plenty of carry in pack and dangerous runners outwide to punish the opposition, We've picked a massive front 5 with plenty of power from the bench and won't let the tempo drop and ensure that the tigers can't keep up with our tempo. Vermaak and Tales will be key to how we play and will look to bring runners in and put plenty of dents in the Stormers defence. Playing loose and at a high tempo this game will suit our game plan with our backs running wild into the space.

• Ruck blastingQuick ball is going to be key on the battlefield and our pack is full of ruck clearers and will ensure we can punch holes in a disorganised defence line.
  
• Aggressive defence Plenty of power around the fringes and aggressive blitz with 9-15 all fearsome defenders who will look to smash there man and drive him back. Vermaak to sweep behind.
  
• Experienced bench
  

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Crusaders vs Leicester Tigers
Location - 
Sunny Intervals, 18 degrees, 9 mph South Westerly winds

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Crusaders

01. Marcus Ayerza	09. Jonathan Pelissie
02. Corey Flynn	10. Dan Carter(k)
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Dominic Bird	11. Zac Guildford
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Scott Williams
06. Chris Robshaw (c)	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Matt Todd	14. Israel Folau
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Charles Piutau

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Vincent Debaty 18. Owen Franks 19. Luke Romano 20. Kieran Read 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Tom Taylor 23. Ryan Crotty

Giving some of our squad a run out this week to keep things fresh. Still playing our first choice back line as we want to try and go for the bonus point in good conditions. 

Set piece - we are happy to keep the ball in the scrum, based on previous weeks we expect Schuster on the tighthead against the best LH scrummager around in Ayerza, who is under instruction to conserve his energy completely so he can destroy the Tigers scrum. Flynn to pressure the ageing Chuter, and the up and coming Laulala to hold up his end against Stankovich. If we are getting pens in the scrum, we will take another in the hope of yellow cards for the opposition. In the lineout, we are happy to concede on their throw to smash their maul, on ours we will use Whitelock, Romano, Gorgodze and Robshaw as our options.

Breakdown - 2 7s on the field for us, we expect Croft to go for a wander out wide, meanwhile Robshaw and Todd are to work as a pair in securing ball. The rest of our pack is to hit rucks hard, we want strong clearing out to give our back line quick ball. Matera in particular to be targeted for strong clearing out. We have Read to come on to step up our efforts in this area in the second half.

Attack - Gorgodze to carry off the base on the blindside, forcing Croft to tackle him, or straight at the 10-12 channel sucking in their defence. We are happy to target their front row round the fringes with our carriers, knowing the old guys are likely to get tired with limited replacements on the bench. Ball to go through the hands when possible, our centres to use their experience together to target the new combo of Tuilagi and hook. Folau to attack the line whenever he can, and Piutau to pop up all over the field, including at first receiver to take on their defence with his quick feet. 

Defence - Blitz defence aimed at cutting off the supply line to Tuilagi, and our midfield to hit him as soon as he gets the ball, before he can build up a head of steam. We expect Leguizamon to be the primary forward carrier, and we will swarm him when he gets the ball, and pile in for the turnover.

Bench - 6 internationals on our bench, 5 in the pack. Pack is to go all out knowing they have replacements coming of the same quality. Taylor on to spread the ball wider, Crotty used to smash through the tired defence out wide late on

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Leicester Tigers 

01. Jerome Schuster	09. Greig Laidlaw
02. Leonardo Ghiraldini	10. Toby Flood
03. Martin Castrogiovanni
04. Paul O'Connell (c)	11. Cory Jane
05. Geoff Parling	12. James Hook
06. Tom Croft	13. Manu Tuilagi
07. Pablo Matera	14. Yoann Huget
08. Juan Manuel Leguizmanon	15. Israel Dagg

16. George Chuter 17. Boris Stankovich 18. Brok Harris 19. Louis Deacon 20. Thomas Waldrom 21. Piri Weepu 22. Anthony Allen 23. Chris Ashton

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Toulon vs ASM Clermont Auvergne
Location - Stade Mayol
Heavy Rain, 14 degrees, 12 mph Easterly winds

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Toulon

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Johnny Wilkinson(k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Jocelina Suta	12. Matt Giteau
06. Julien Bonnaire (c)	13. Wesley Fofana
07. Steffon Armitage	14. David Smith
08. Jaime Heaslip	15. Adam Ashley-Cooper

16. Kyle Cooper 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Dan Cole 19. Ali Williams 20. Chris Masoe 21. Sebastian Tillous-Borde 22. Butch James 23. -

Delon still injured so Fofana starts and then being a man light on the bench. 

Tactics
We will play an expansive game today and have selected a big pack to win us ball in tough conditions for a tight game. Wilko will stand deep and play territory for our lineout to challenge, the pack will carry a lot as will our centres for quick ball. Strong front row with immense power to come on and a 2nd row who are used to driving players back come scrum time. We have selected a centre partnership who will make good breaks and look for quick recycling of the ball to keep them on the back foot and under constant pressure. Forwards will look to carry a lot in first 20 punching the holes before moving to running off of 12-13.

*9-10 combo-we have Smith to Wilko who will then look to play a controlled kicking game especially from turnover ball and using tight runners off 2nd phase ball.
*Bench-Our bench is full of impact and will look to dominate the end of the game.
*Defence-we have strong defensive leaders in Wilko, Giteau, AAC and will look to slow down/turnover a lot of ball.
*Set Piece-power is key today at scrum time and in the lineouts using Bonnaire's leading skills to get good ball.
*Breakdown-look to nullify the Crusaders here and use our abrasive pack to do this with heavy carrying and tactical breakdown slowing.

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ASMClermontAuvergne

Manager
= ChequeredJersey

01. Joe Marler	09. Morgan Parra (k)
02. Benjamin Kayser	10. Aaron Cruden
03. Davit Zirakashvili
04. Jamie Cudmore	11. Willie Le Roux
05. Andries Bekker	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Schalk Burger	13. Aurelien Rougerie (c)
07. Sam Cane	14. Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. JMF Lobbe	15. JM Buttin

16. Clement Ric 17. Corey Flynn 18. Frans Malherbe  19.  Samu Manoa 20. Julien Bardy 21.  Ludovic Radosavljevic  22. Brock James 23. Matthieu Bastareaud

Tactics:
The weather is dire so nothing flashy. Focus to be on controlling the ball in the forwards and the breakdown and set piece. In the breakdown, our backrow to work together with the first there securing ball and the others and pack clearing out, don't be afraid to commit number to slow or turnover opposition ball as it will be harder to ship quick ball. However, Cane to track the ball to be ready to secure it, make cover tackles and be available for rare offloads. Parra and Cruden and Buttin to help us play a territory game kicking into space and corners with slow ball, as well as mauling and driving with the pack. The kick-chase is vital, and if we are kicking to nothing or the man we must pressurise him to try and reclaim ball. Keep good ball in hand and use simple inside pops  and our big centres in a crash ball manner, but if an overlap forms go for it. Definitely crossfield kick near their try-line

Defence- 
Really aggressive around the fringes to kill forward momentum and force them to throw it around. Fall off a bit in the backs (to watch for kicking) and look to hit hard to dislodge the ball

Set-piece 
Look to keep the ball at the back and 8-man shove on our ball. Simple lineout ball, then look to maul it or set up e.g. a switch inside crash for Nonu. Compete at every opposition throw

Subs- 
very flexible bench so go all out not afraid of fatigue. Can bring Bastareaud on to hammer the gain line, and James for his massive boot. 

Game Management
Take on realistic kicks at goal. Use our kickers at 9/11/15 to take pressure off 10. Be careful to avoid penalties in our half, but be aggressive every area in their half and play territory

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ASMClermontAuvergne

Manager
= ChequeredJersey

01.  Joe Marler	09. Morgan Parra (k)
02. Benjamin Kayser	10.    Aaron Cruden
03. Davit Zirakashvili
04.  Jamie Cudmore	11. Willie Le Roux
05.  Andries Bekker	12. Ma'a Nonu
06. Schalk Burger	13.   Aurelien Rougerie (c)
07. Sam Cane	14.  Sitiveni Sivivatu
08. JMF Lobbe	15. JM Buttin

16. Clement Ric 17. Corey Flynn 18. Frans Malherbe  19.  Samu Manoa 20. Julien Bardy 21.  Ludovic Radosavljevic  22. Brock James 23. Matthieu Bastareaud

Tactics:
The weather is dire so nothing flashy. Focus to be on controlling the ball in the forwards and the breakdown and set piece. In the breakdown, our backrow to work together with the first there securing ball and the others and pack clearing out, don't be afraid to commit number to slow or turnover opposition ball as it will be harder to ship quick ball. However, Cane to track the ball to be ready to secure it, make cover tackles and be available for rare offloads. Parra and Cruden and Buttin to help us play a territory game kicking into space and corners with slow ball, as well as mauling and driving with the pack. The kick-chase is vital, and if we are kicking to nothing or the man we must pressurise him to try and reclaim ball. Keep good ball in hand and use simple inside pops  and our big centres in a crash ball manner, but if an overlap forms go for it. Definitely crossfield kick near their try-line

Defence-
Really aggressive around the fringes to kill forward momentum and force them to throw it around. Fall off a bit in the backs (to watch for kicking) and look to hit hard to dislodge the ball

Set-piece
Look to keep the ball at the back and 8-man shove on our ball. Simple lineout ball, then look to maul it or set up e.g. a switch inside crash for Nonu. Compete at every opposition throw

Subs-
very flexible bench so go all out not afraid of fatigue. Can bring Bastareaud on to hammer the gain line, and James for his massive boot.

Game Management
Take on realistic kicks at goal. Use our kickers at 9/11/15 to take pressure off 10. Be careful to avoid penalties in our half, but be aggressive every area in their half and play territory

Other
Awaiting Toulon teamsheet...

StadeToulousian
DOR: Driver
 

01. Guthro Steenkamp	09. Jano Vermaak
02. Tom Youngs	10. Remi Tales
03. John Afoa
04. Yoann Maestri	11. Hosea Gear
05. Patrico Albacete	12. Christian Leialiffano
06. Thiery Dusitour (c)	13. Florain Fritz
07. Michael Hooper	14. Tommy Bowe
08. Louise Pickamoles	15. Leigh Halfpenny (K)

16.Christopher Tauloufa 17.Vasil Kokovan 18.Cencus Johnstone 19.Joe Tekori 20.Yannick Nyanga 21.Jean Doussain 22.Luke McCallister 23.Maxime Medard

We've gone for what we know best and that is a power game based on plenty of carry in pack and dangerous runners outwide to punish the opposition, We've picked a massive front 5 with plenty of power from the bench and won't let the tempo drop and ensure that the tigers can't keep up with our tempo. Vermaak and Tales will be key to how we play and will look to bring runners in and put plenty of dents in the Stormers defence. Playing loose and at a high tempo this game will suit our game plan with our backs running wild into the space.

• Ruck blastingQuick ball is going to be key on the battlefield and our pack is full of ruck clearers and will ensure we can punch holes in a disorganised defence line.
  
  
  
• Aggressive defence Plenty of power around the fringes and aggressive blitz with 9-15 all fearsome defenders who will look to smash there man and drive him back. Vermaak to sweep behind.
  
  
  
• Experienced bench
  
  

Strong side, have to find some weak spots.

Maybe 1 more signing to come as well. Might alter the side a bit, just putting in the format so I can edit closer to time.

Well can you let me know when your team is finalised then, as there's no point me doing tactics if you are going to then change your team.

Probably Friday. Likewise, I can't really do mine until I see yours, works both ways chap!

My team will be up later to day fella, and will have no changes to it once it's up.

Ok, cheers

I always put last weeks team sheet up, so it's easier if I need to change it on my phone rather than laptop. Maybe going forward I'll just put it up once and not change it, as I think it's confusing people and giving them tactics against the wrong lineup.

I wonder if it may be a good idea to have the squads up by say Thursday morning, with a tactics deadline of midnight Friday

The Sharks make 4 changes to their starting line up as they seek to extend their winning start to the season against Racing Metro at The Shark Tank this week.  Up front Pieter-Steph du Toit and Sam Warbuton step up from the bench to replace Joe Launchbury and Willem Alberts, in a move that sees Coetzee switch from the openside flank to the blindside.  Behind the pack Francois Steyn replaces Patric Lambie at 12, and George North comes in for JP Pietersen, with Marland Yarde switching to the right wing.  Director of Rugby Ozzy3213 had this to say;-
 
"We have decided to freshen up in the pack this week, and bring in 2 full internationals enabling us to do so without dropping the quality in our team.  We know that it will be a battle up front and those guys who've dropped to the bench will be champing at the bit to get on and stamp their mark on the game.  In the backs, George North returns for us and Franny (Steyn) comes in to just beef up our midfield defence a bit.  Metro I am sure will come hard, and we  know that we have to be ready for that."
 
The Sharks
DoR: Ozzy3213

01. Cian Healy	09. Danny Care
02. Stephen Moore	10. Quade Cooper
03. Jannie du Plessis
04. Pieter-Steph du Toit	11. George North
05. Courtney Lawes	12. Francois Steyn
06. Sam Warbuton	13. Conrad Smith
07. Marcell Coetzee	14. Marland Yarde
08. Sergio Parisse (c)	15. James O'Connor

16. Sebastien Bruno 17. Tendai Mtawarira 18. Lourens Adriaanse 19. Joe Launchbury 20. Willem Alberts 21. Freddie Michalak 22. Patric Lambie 23. JP Pietersen

TACTICS

We will play a traditional South African gameplan in the forwards, being ultra physical and looking to dominate the collisions in attack and defence. We are aiming to control possession by running the ball in great conditions, using the pack and big backs off first phase ball, with support runners on the ball carriers shoulder for the offloads in or just prior to contact. We will be looking to play our game at a high tempo. Cooper will play flat with the outside backs coming from positions of depth to gain momentum. In defence we will employ the blitz and look to hit the ball carrier before he hits the gainline to stop Metro getting any momentum. Danny Care will act as a sweeper behind the defensive line.

• Breakdown. In attack we will put numbers in rucking past the ball to free it up quickly to go again. If on Care will snipe to keep us going forwards. In defence we will be selective. If it is on to clear out and turn ball over we will throw numbers in to do so, otherwise we will keep a strong defensive line.
  
• Spaces not faces. Our runners will target the gaps in the defensive line rather than defenders and look to breach the gainline regularly. If Roberts blitzes on Cooper, Danny Care to simply miss pass to 12 and put Steyn into the hole in the defensive line in the 12 channel.
  
• Wingers. North and Yarde to track the play off their wings looking for the offloads to go through gaps in midfield.
  
• Scrum. We will Target Ryan Grant. He only arrived at Metro on Wednesday. Scrummaging requires unity and combined effort in the front 5 and there is no way he can be settled and work as part of a cohesive unit already. JdP to really attack the link between him and Strauss.
  
• Target Cuthbert. Alex Cuthbert signed this morning (Friday) and will have no idea on defensive patterns. We will look to get men over on his side and islotate him 2 on 1 where his defensive decision making is not great at the best of times.
  
  
• Metro Pack Fatigue. Strauss, Retallick, Lydiate and Louw have started every game (League and Cup) this season. At this level with the intensity and collisions they have to be feeling fatigue now. Faletau has started every game since signing in R3 and Kruger has only missed one game. That's a lot of players at risk of feeling a bit leggy in this one. We have rotated with only Courtney Lawes starting every game so far.
  
• Form Bathite mentions that Steyn is in poor form, but the Super Rugby season has not yet started. If he is considered out of form, then so to must Roberts be, as he has no form to speak of having been out injured all season so far. In terms of in game form, we have it, along with confidence and momentum.
  
• Home Advantage. Along with form, confidence and momentum we have home advantage. Including this game, our last 5 games are 4 in South Africa and 1 England. Counting back for Metro it's South Africa, France, England, France. Travel has to take it's toll and make home advantage even bigger.
  
• Bench. We have a bench containing 8 full internationals, who can all provide great impact in the final quarter of the game.
  

Best of luck Bathite, should be a good game.

Yep, best of luck. ps. Steyn was awful in Super rugby last season, Roberts was winning with the Lions and the 6Ns, that's my point!

I'm not going to get into a war of words over it mate.    You've said what you wanted to say in tactics and I've said my bit as well.   

The last thing you want to do is get into a war of words with Pete. 

Frazzles your brain big time.

Them days are long gone Driver.    Sure I could never let Chris have the last word when I played Saints, especially when his last word was always that Tom Rees had outplayed McCaw!   

Although I will say, nice addition to your tactics at 12:05 Bathite, something about loopy miss passes I believe.   

He's in line to captain England still you know?

I'll tell him, that'll cheer him up in the rigours of 2nd year. Aka the Bar Steward year number one (until you get to 5th year and realise what a Bar Steward year really is)

Ozzy3213 wrote:Although I will say, nice addition to your tactics at 12:05 Bathite, something about loopy miss passes I believe.  ;) 

Mate, i did say my tactics weren't done yet, i still had loads of tigers stuff in there and hadn't seen your team.

Ozzy has an incredible PR team, i've paid him that compliment before! Woodward had Alistair Campbell, Sharks have Ozzy!  

01. Andrew Sheridan	09. Aaron Smith
02. Richard Hibbard	10. Johnny Wilkinson(k)
03. Carl Hayman
04. Bakkies Botha	11. Drew Mitchell
05. Jocelina Suta	12. Matt Giteau
06. Julien Bonnaire (c)	13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
07. Steffon Armitage	14. David Smith
08. Jaime Heaslip	15. Delon Armitage

16. Kyle Cooper 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Dan Cole 19. Ali Williams 20. Chris Masoe 21. Sebastian Tillous-Borde 22. Butch James 23. Wesley Fofana
Tactics
We will play an expansive game today and have selected a big pack to win us ball in tough conditions for a tight game. Wilko will stand deep and play territory for our lineout to challenge, the pack will carry a lot as will our centres for quick ball. Strong front row with immense power to come on and a 2nd row who are used to driving players back come scrum time. We have selected a centre partnership who will make good breaks and look for quick recycling of the ball to keep them on the back foot and under constant pressure. Forwards will look to carry a lot in first 20 punching the holes before moving to running off of 12-13.

*9-10 combo-we have Smith to Wilko who will then look to play a controlled kicking game especially from turnover ball and using tight runners off 2nd phase ball.
*Bench-Our bench is full of impact and will look to dominate the end of the game.
*Defence-we have strong defensive leaders in Wilko, Giteau, AAC and will look to slow down/turnover a lot of ball.
*Set Piece-power is key today at scrum time and in the lineouts using Bonnaire's leading skills to get good ball.
*Breakdown-look to nullify the Crusaders here and use our abrasive pack to do this with heavy carrying and tactical breakdown slowing.

Bathite wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:Although I will say, nice addition to your tactics at 12:05 Bathite, something about loopy miss passes I believe.   

Mate, i did say my tactics weren't done yet, i still had loads of tigers stuff in there and hadn't seen your team.

Mate, there was no Tigers stuff in there when you posted your tactics this morning, and my team had been up since 4pm yesterday. It's no drama you can add to tactics mate, it's no sweat, I was just teasing, hence the little winky smiley. I know that I have a massive target on my team right now as am top of the league and everyone will want to beat The Sharks!    

Although I hadn't realised that there had been a major overhaul of your tactics at 2.29pm as well!       

                                     

Crusaders

01. Marcus Ayerza	09. Jonathan Pelissie
02. Corey Flynn	10. Dan Carter(k)
03. Nepo Laulala
04. Dominic Bird	11. Zac Guildford
05. Sam Whitelock	12. Scott Williams
06. Chris Robshaw (c)	13. Jonathan Davies
07. Matt Todd	14. Israel Folau
08. Mamuka Gorgodze	15. Charles Piutau

16. Dylan Hartley 17. Vincent Debaty 18. Owen Franks 19. Luke Romano 20. Kieran Read 21. Mitchell Drummond 22. Tom Taylor 23. Ryan Crotty

Giving some of our squad a run out this week to keep things fresh. Still playing our first choice back line as we want to try and go for the bonus point in good conditions.

Set piece - we are happy to keep the ball in the scrum, based on previous weeks we expect Schuster on the tighthead against the best LH scrummager around in Ayerza, who is under instruction to conserve his energy completely so he can destroy the Tigers scrum. Flynn to pressure the ageing Chuter, and the up and coming Laulala to hold up his end against Stankovich. If we are getting pens in the scrum, we will take another in the hope of yellow cards for the opposition. In the lineout, we are happy to concede on their throw to smash their maul, on ours we will use Whitelock, Romano, Gorgodze and Robshaw as our options.

Breakdown - 2 7s on the field for us, we expect Croft to go for a wander out wide, meanwhile Robshaw and Todd are to work as a pair in securing ball. The rest of our pack is to hit rucks hard, we want strong clearing out to give our back line quick ball. Matera in particular to be targeted for strong clearing out. We have Read to come on to step up our efforts in this area in the second half.

Attack - Gorgodze to carry off the base on the blindside, forcing Croft to tackle him, or straight at the 10-12 channel sucking in their defence. We are happy to target their front row round the fringes with our carriers, knowing the old guys are likely to get tired with limited replacements on the bench. Ball to go through the hands when possible, our centres to use their experience together to target the new combo of Tuilagi and hook. Folau to attack the line whenever he can, and Piutau to pop up all over the field, including at first receiver to take on their defence with his quick feet.

Defence - Blitz defence aimed at cutting off the supply line to Tuilagi, and our midfield to hit him as soon as he gets the ball, before he can build up a head of steam. We expect Leguizamon to be the primary forward carrier, and we will swarm him when he gets the ball, and pile in for the turnover.

Bench - 6 internationals on our bench, 5 in the pack. Pack is to go all out knowing they have replacements coming of the same quality. Taylor on to spread the ball wider, Crotty used to smash through the tired defence out wide late on

Bull hooks! Missed putting my side in!

I'm pretty sure you've been flexible for anyone who has got their sides in first thing in the morning..

Get it in early this morning mate, we don't want 30-0 walkovers. You can do it when you update the match thread.

Open

sorry lads been a hectic few days and didn't get time to submit tactics.

Don't worry mate. I put in a generic side for, as like Ozzy stated - don't really want to be giving out default 30-0 losses

Stormers 17 Toulouse 19
Not much between the front rows, with the hookers the weakest players. Youngs a big step up though, so edge this to Toulouse with Corbs lacking form and the strongers 2 bench props. Two very good lock pairings as well, with a nice blend of skills. More lineout from Toulouse this week is a good shout. Prefer the Toulouse back row as well. Prefer all of Toulouse backline man for man. Toulouse edge the battele in the key areas and sneak a win

Crusaders 22 Tigers 19
With Schuster not playing and Castro waning, Ayerza is the standout up front. Two very lightweight second rows will lack carrying but balance each other out. Not much in the back rows, but if Croft was on form, Tigers would edge it as Matera will swallow Todd! Find it hard to rate Hook at 12 as he hasn't played there so long, whilst I like the welsh pairing. A much improved team from the Tigers and Crusaders have risked it a bit resting some players, but have enough at home

Toulon 23 Clermont 24
Nightmare for Toulon being a man short because they are set up nicely for a home win otherwise. Can see Toulon winning up front, with some solid lineout jumpers as well. Definitely more mobility with Toulon this time around with Heaslip, Armitage, Suta all capable of getting more yards. Not sure about Fofana at 13, but he'll have fun against Rougerie. 2 brilliant in form back threes.  I'd have given this to Toulon, but the tactical error makes it really difficult to do so, sorry.

Just seen the Tigers team .. its stronger than any of their sides put out for the last 3 games! I know Fluxy did it to ensure there wasn't a walkover, but surely should have just been the team for the last game barring any injuries etc, given that the actual manager selected that team!

Sharks 35 vs 30 Racing

Scrum - even in personnel with both side's stronger prop facing off. Sharks could get a bit of luck at trying to win penalties off Grant as they are right, he will not have gelled quite yet
Lineout- Evens, see both winning their ball easily enough.
Breakdown-- I like both sets of tactics here. I can see quite a bit of turnover ball for both sides given the approaches, and whilst the Sharks have an edge due to Lawes adding a player with strengths here and 2 flankers very good here, this will be a closely fought battle
Carrying- Sharks ahve selected breakdown over power but Lawes' form can help them here. Nevertheless, across the whole pack a slender edge to Metro
HBs- Care and Cooper in much better form than Youngs and Sexton, but Metro's tactics very strongly looking to disrupt the pairing. They could get shaken up and affect their management, so it is hard to call, but I think Sharks have enough help from the pack to protect them to a degree, especially as Steyn and JOC have 10 experience and can help Cooper out. Neither team is really playing a territory game, and both sides will be fine in kicking terms. One thing, Aussie- Care can pass straight to the 12 but under pressure I'm not sure i'd have him doing that too much on the cut out. The way we try and prevent teams targeting the Care-Nev axis is to switch up first receiver, including using Robshaw as an option there. I think your tactics here could result in some turnovers.
Attack- Racing targeting Cooper in defence which could pay off and I like their tactics in the centres. Smith always a danger. Likewise, the Sharks backline, Steyn's poor form taken into account, is slick and lethal. I see tries, but if CooperCare fires, Sharks have this battle
Defence- advantage Metro, Sharks will get some love from attacking Cuthbert but will have to work hard to defend the 10-12 channel even with Smith leading the line.
Subs- 2 impressive benches that will keep up the attacking play
Overall- loose play and IMO some mistakes that could lead to turn-over tries here, and lots of points. However, at home and with a stronger pack, Sharks have the platform to execute their plan better.

Stormers 23 - 23 Toulouse

Scrum- don't know that Corbs can target Afoa, but Youngs still not great here. Maybe edge Stormers, not much in it
Lineout- Good options from Toulouse, but Stormers have Etzebeth and Wood to use, and could disrupt a bit of Toulouse ball
Breakdown- Reckon Toulouse win here with Youngs and 2 good flankers in this area
Carrying- Very good on both sides, but once again an edge to Stormers, SOB and Etzebeth a huge combo to have
HBs- Farrell had a flaky game against Toulouse in real life, and whilst generally both sets are in form, Farrell doesn't get any real help kicking unlike Tales who does from Halfpenny and LLF. Halfpenny also an ice-kicker and negates Farrell's advantage at tee-kicking, so this goes to Toulouse
Attack- With raw danger on the wings (and not much in attacking terms from either side's tactics), Stormers have the advantage here, though Wade has been injured a while...
Defence- Toulouse backline very solid here, without Wade who could be run at, and with great aggressive tackling from Dus too they edge this.
Subs--advantage Toulouse
Overall- looks very close. Would say Toulouse edge it in France, but still have enough to get a draw in SA.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Sharks 35 vs 30 Racing

Scrum - even in personnel with both side's stronger prop facing off. Sharks could get a bit of luck at trying to win penalties off Grant as they are right, he will not have gelled quite yet
Lineout- Evens, see both winning their ball easily enough.
Breakdown-- I like both sets of tactics here. I can see quite a bit of turnover ball for both sides given the approaches, and whilst the Sharks have an edge due to Lawes adding a player with strengths here and 2 flankers very good here, this will be a closely fought battle
Carrying- Sharks ahve selected breakdown over power but Lawes' form can help them here. Nevertheless, across the whole pack a slender edge to Metro
HBs- Care and Cooper in much better form than Youngs and Sexton, but Metro's tactics very strongly looking to disrupt the pairing. They could get shaken up and affect their management, so it is hard to call, but I think Sharks have enough help from the pack to protect them to a degree, especially as Steyn and JOC have 10 experience and can help Cooper out. Neither team is really playing a territory game, and both sides will be fine in kicking terms. One thing, Aussie- Care can pass straight to the 12 but under pressure I'm not sure i'd have him doing that too much on the cut out. The way we try and prevent teams targeting the Care-Nev axis is to switch up first receiver, including using Robshaw as an option there. I think your tactics here could result in some turnovers.
Attack- Racing targeting Cooper in defence which could pay off and I like their tactics in the centres. Smith always a danger. Likewise, the Sharks backline, Steyn's poor form taken into account, is slick and lethal. I see tries, but if CooperCare fires, Sharks have this battle
Defence- advantage Metro, Sharks will get some love from attacking Cuthbert but will have to work hard to defend the 10-12 channel even with Smith leading the line.
Subs- 2 impressive benches that will keep up the attacking play
Overall- loose play and IMO some mistakes that could lead to turn-over tries here, and lots of points. However, at home and with a stronger pack, Sharks have the platform to execute their plan better.

I want to watch this game! The way you paint the picture makes it sound like a cracker! I felt like i was there!

Crusaders 28 - 20 Tigers

Scrum- Good from Tigers, but Ayerza in current form could take Castro apart, and Crusaders on top here
I'm pretty sure Flynn is meant to be back with me, but in retrospect maybe we weren't clear enough in exactly when Crockett-Flynn switched over again, so no penalty from me
Lineout- Flynn has a good knowledge of his jumpers, plus Robshaw as another target, however Parling, POC, Croft is as good a unit here as in the game, so safe ball for Tigers plus the odd steal. Right option by Crusaders to give them the ball by not competing then smashing the maul as this will pressurise the lineout into no longer that option. Still, lineout to Tigers
Breakdown- Robshaw and Todd in tandem more than enough to counter Matera, Crusaders
Carrying- as Bathite says the second rows are lightweight, Gorgodze adds ballast to Crusaders though. Really need Croft to get back from injury, and Crusaders have advantage here with their targeting of the maul
Hbs- quite like Laidlaw-Flood and it will do well. Both teams will have a decent amount of control through their HBs though Carter is a better player than Flood, so edge to Crusaders.
Attack- two fairly sexy backlines, but Crusaders have tactics and a lightning quick back 3 and a more settled centre partnership so win here
Defence- eh, both look fine
Subs- good benches from both, but being able to bring Read on is a big boost for Crusaders
Overall- better side from Tigers but without tactics and in NZ, has to go to Crusaders

CJ I had assumed you would want Crockett until Domingo returned from injury, which I believe is this week .. apologies if I'm wrong

BamBam wrote:CJ I had assumed you would want Crockett until Domingo returned from injury, which I believe is this week .. apologies if I'm wrong

I assumed that you wouldn't want to lend me to him once you no longer needed a hooker! Hence he's not in my squad though I'd love him there! No worries

Sharks 24-22 Metro
Tough to split the pack, like the balance of metro back row but sharks have the 2 good 7's for breakdown. Going to give 9 to metro and 10 to sharks. Good in backs imhoff may get slight advantage against wade. Benches even. Metro targeting right areas of weakness and right to attack certain areas. Sharks could get breakdown joy and target the new players who are getting used to the system. Home advantage key here.

Stormers 25-27  Toulouse
Loss for stormers at hooker here. 2nd row will help but not hearing much from horwil at present. 2 very good back rows for carrying here. Toulouse carry and advantage in the backs and a very strong bench. Simple, clever tactics from Stormers keeping possession. Toulouse keep it short but feel there targeting of the tempo will help but they have targeted Tigers here?!?! Edge for Toulouse with their backs.

Crusaders  28-21  Tigers
An improved and strong tigers front 5 will match crusaders here. Crusaders back row slightly stronger here. Like the tigers half backs but crusaders can get better ball going. Again tigers better in the backs but Williams will get at hook at present. 2 strong back 3's on show. Good benches, crusaders have great impact. No tactics from tigers is such a killer blow as they would have run crusaders close. Crusaders play a risky game resting players but a good carrying attack tactics see them over the line.

Just a point of order, I don't have Wade, so not sure how Imhoff can get a slight advantage against him.

Stormers 22 Stade Touloussain 20
Set Piece: Tough call in the scrum.  Rate Afoa highly, but I rate both Stormers props highly too.  Both engine rooms provide grunt, so it's preety even.  Both lineouts have good jumpers but hookers who can go awry, I can see both teams stealing a few to be honest.
Gainline collisions/physicality: Some big carriers on both sides, but I see Stormers with a small edge in this department. 
Breakdown: All four starting flankers are good on the deck, and both front 5's are excellent clearing out.  I can see both teams managing to slow ball down for the other, so when they do get quick ball they will need to make it count. 
Bench: Two good benches.  Love the Stormers forwards on the bench (I have 3 of them in the other game), but Toulouse also have power to bring on as well.
Tactics: Stormers tactics confirm what I said about the likelihood of slow ball from the breakdown. 
Overall: There isn't much in it between these two sides, and what it comes down to in the end is how they would use the ball on the odd occasion it comes quick from the ruck.  With the Stormers in my opinion stronger at 8,9 and 10 I just think they can use it a bit better, and that for me gives them a marginal win.

Crusaders 32 Leicester Tigers 20
Set Piece: Crusaders have taken a chance at tighthead, and with Tigers having picked their strongest front row for once I can see the away side having some joy in the scrum.  Not enough to gain any real advantage, but they do gain parity at least this week.  Likewise in the lineout, this is an even contest. 
Gainline collisions/physicality: Neither pack is choc full with masive carriers, but I thinkthe Crusaders have a little bit more about them in this regard. 
Breakdown: Another messy affair, with neither side really completely dominant, although I would give Crusaders a small edge with Robshaw and Todd working as a pair. 
Bench: Am now slightly confused as Brok Harris is on the bench for the Stormers as well as the Tigers, but overall I don't see Tigers bench having an impact.  Crusaders have Dylan hartley and 5 current All Blacks to bring on. 
Tactics: Getting Gorgodze carrying and having their backs playing off him is spot on for the Crusaders.  Unfortunately no tactics from Tigers, as they are much closer in terms of personnel in this game than previous ones, and good tactics good have go them something here. 
Overall: Much improved Tigers set up, but they would be heavily reliant on Tuilagi to get them go forward ball due to a lack of big carriers in the pack.  Crusaders are not at their strongest, and as a result I think Tigers could run them close for an hour, but once the benches are unloaded I can see Crusaders pulling away for a comfortable win.

RC Toulonnais 16 ASM Clermont Auvergne 19
Set Piece: Battle royale in the scrum, and it's a key area in heavy rain in this one.  I'm just about going for Toulon, with a solid front row, and Bakkies locking it down in the engine room.  ASM are no mugs though, so it's a minor advantage, just an important one in the conditions.  Two good lineouts will secure their own ball in this one. 
Gainline collisions/physicality: Two big physical packs, but again a very marginal edge to Toulon. 
Breakdown: I think ASM have one of the best breakdown units in this league.  Good clearing players and a back row who can all play 7 and are good over the ball.  Toulon are going to have to work hard, and Bakkies for his rucking and Steffon for his ability over the ball are key. 
Bench: Again I am confused as Corey Flynn is on the ASM bench and in the Crusaders starting line up!  Both benches are strong, Toulon urt a bit being a man light there though. 
Tactics: Toulon's tactics start by sayign the will play an expansive game.  In heavy rain???  Not sure about that one an may be a typo but have to go with what it says, even though it does confuse me by then saying that Wilko will sit deep and play for territory.  Slightly confused.  ASM playing the conditions well and have selected the personnel to do it.
Overall: When I started typing this one out and was going through it, I thought it was a Toulon win, but now at the end I think they've blown it.  What advantage they have in the scrum is wasted by some confusing tactics, whereas ASM have set out well and definitely have a good enough and experienced enough 8,9,10 axis to steal this one away from home in shocking conditions.

Not puttin this to sway anything but it was a blydi typo!!!!

Sharks 26-22 Racing

Set piece - slight edge to Sharks, both good sets of front rows, Grant in his first game with Racing gives the more settled Sharks the advantage. No real advantage in the lineout, both will secure ball well and steal a few.

Breakdown - about evens here. Sharks front 5 are excellent around the park, but I'm not so convinced on Coetzee, with Warbs not in the best form either. Louw and Faletau are a great combo with Lydiate as the chopper. Alberts starting would have given Sharks the advantage.

Attack/Carrying - Racing heavily reliant on Strauss and Retallick to carry in the tight, tactics mention Faletau and Lydiate but Faletau seems to have more focus on the breakdown elsewhere in tactics, and Lydiate isn't much of a carrier. Sharks gone with a more athletic pack, so can't give either a big advantage.

Both attacks strong on paper, I agree with CJ about Care throwing miss passes, but North going at Cuthbert is a mismatch at the best of times, let alone in the latter's debut. Steyn will help Cooper defensively.

Benches - edge to Sharks, Launchbury, Alberts and Pietersen are big impact players, Racing ok but not at the same level.

Overall 2 of the strongest teams in a good battle, but home advantage and an edge up front plus stronger bench players gives Sharks a tight win

Stormers 27 - 25 Toulouse

Set piece - Mas being back will solidify the Stormers scrum, Afoa and Corbs to cancel each other out and the hookers about even. No advantage to either. Lineout adv to Stormers, 3 excellent jumpers will compensate for their relatively green hooker.

Breakdown - all the flankers are good, but Hooper may struggle with the outright physicality of SOB. Both front 5s good at clearing out, perhaps Youngs and Maestri give Toulouse a slight edge. Evens overall

Attack/carrying - weaker halfbacks for Stormers as Vermaak is the better 9, fly half equal. JDV down Lealifano's channel could be a mismatch. Savea vs Bowe a great battle.

In the packs, Stormers have some real power with O'Brien, Vermeulen and Etzebeth. Toulouse also good, with Pickles leading the charge. Call it evens for pack carrying and backs to Stormers

Benches - more impact off the French sides bench for me

Hard one to call, and I don't like draws - with home adv and edge at breakdown and backs, narrow win for Stormers

Toulon 20-22 Clermont

Set piece - evens in the scrum, no weaknesses on either side although Haymans is getting on a bit, Botha will help him out. Lineout edge to Clermont, their settled combo and variety of jumpers overcomes Bonnaire and Botha.

Breakdown - love ASMs breakdown work, back row all good and front 5 get stuck in round the park. Toulon strong too, but just not quite enough for me.

Attack/carrying - Toulon have a stronger carrying pack, with threats in every jersey. Clermont good, but a bit more about Toulon

Not a massive fan of Fofana at 13, but he is class so will probably be ok. Let Roux and Butting add some magic to the power of Nonu and Sivi. Lack of a outside back sub hurts Toulon.

Benches - Toulon very strong here, probably have better props on the bench than starting, but no 23rd man hurts them. Evens here

Overall, given ASMs stronger tactics for the conditions and an edge at breakdown and backs, give them a close win

Sharks 25 - 20 Racing Metro

A real contest up front in the tight and the loose. Both are about even, Grant coming straight in will suffer slightly but both sides are about evens. In the conditions Sharks have the back line to do damage when they get ball in their hands. Racing are as dangerous as well, however I just feel that they can be got at a little defensively. Strong tactics make this close, but Sharks are a team in form at the minute and sneak the home victory.  

Crusaders 35 - 29 Leicester Tigers

Tough battle up front, with Tigers taking a slight set-piece edge, especially in the line out. This provides them with a steady supply of first phase possession, which would be great with tactics based around Manu taking the ball to the line etc! Saders despite a bit of rotation have a much bigger carrying contingent and means they will get some much cleaner and quicker ball from open play. I can imagine that will allow saders to play they want and get the ball into their backs hand when possible. Especially when they can bring on their impressive bench too push home their advantage. Tigers have some dangerous backs, but really miss a strong spine to their team in key areas. 

Toulon 18 - 20 ASM Clermont Auvergne

Toulon have the ability up front in the conditions to make this a absolute fight. Clermont can have some joy in their pack as they have a real tenacity in the breakdown which allows them to hold back Toulon in the loose. Wilko is the only guiding playing in the Toulon side, however plays against the way the tactics are set up which hinders the game in the conditions. Clermont use Parra and Cruden well to control the game and put their pack in the right positions on the pitch. 
Tough one as Toulon have players to score tires from nothing, but ASM can suck Toulon into penalties and keep the pressure and this will see them secure a massive away victory.