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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

The @lospumas and @lionsofficial served up an enthralling encounter on Friday. The game gave a good indication of the Lions' desired style, especially in attack. But it was the Pumas who were victorious, in part due to their control on chaos. Enjoy :) theanalysisguy.sport.blog/2025/06/24/l...

theanalysisguy.sport.blog

Learning From The Lions: Argentina

The Lions tour is one of the biggest events in the rugby calendar, and we were treated to an enthralling encounter in Dublin against the Pumas. Argentina became the first team to beat the Lions in …

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

The State of Origin series is a defining moment of the rugby league season. But how did the Blues claim the advantage in Suncorp Stadium? From a variation in exit strategies and four well-taken scores, they seized the initiative. Enjoy :) theanalysisguy.sport.blog/2025/05/29/s...

theanalysisguy.sport.blog

How NSW’s Physical Edge and Calm Execution Secured a Game 1 Win

The biggest series in Rugby League got underway this weekend, with the Maroons and the Blues going to battle in Suncorp. It’s the 44th series between the two sides, and since 2020, the Queens…

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

The Six Nations came to end last weekend and there is plenty to be learnt digging through the detail From where the two title favourites, France and Ireland diverged, to the underpinnings of England's success. So join me on this thread examining 6 themes that became prevalent during the 6 Nations

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Man City 🤝 Ireland Both teams who’s dominance was unquestioned and seemingly coming unstuck due to a more transitional version of the sport?

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

With no Six Nations last weekend the domestic leagues took centre stage. One of the games of the weekend was undoubtedly Oyonnax vs Biarritz. But what can we learn from the tussle between of the Pro D2s mid table sides, from the maul battle to differing defensive methods Enjoy :)

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Last weekend France delivered a devastating performance in Italy scoring 11 tries against Italy. But what can we learn from the 6 tries that came from extended phase play?

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

The Chiefs showed their credentials for a return to the Super Rugby Pacific final with a strong perfromance vs the Crusaders On both sides of the ball the Chiefs put on a clinic, while the Crusaders showed possible weakness teams might target to upset the Chiefs tilt for another final appearance

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Scotland flat attack on the edge attacking with low numbers into huge space - great try

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

The return of the six nations is quickly approaching and it comes with rugby's most historic fixture. The Calcutta Cup! But what can we learn from both England's and Scotland's last outing, and how might they go about their business on Saturday evening. Enjoy!

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Spent some time looking over the six nations ahead of the weekend - these are some great examples of work rate from scrum halves off scrum defence Showcases the change in defensive mentality, with teams looking to up the pressure at every opportunity. Includes my play of the weekend by JGP.

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Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Quick Look at Brakes try vs France in the Perth Svns Semi Final outstanding skills from the Black Ferns. youtu.be/kEmH4f5fD18?...

youtu.be

The Anatomy of a Try: Brake vs France January 2025

YouTube video by The Dead Ball Area

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Brett Igoe @brettrugbyanalyst.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

What a try - Daly’s movement is just so good. (Look away French fans !!). Mitchell takes a huge risk/ref & touchie don’t spot him. #ENGvFRA

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Simon Gleave @simongleave.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

How are the Six Nations teams performing against bookmaker handicaps (sourced on the morning of the first game(s))? England +8.5 (+1,+7.5) France +7.5 (+15,-7.5) Ireland +6.5 (-1,+7.5) Italy +5 (+4,+1) Scotland -11.5 (-4,-7.5) Wales -16 (-15,-1) Thanks to @rugbykino.bsky.social for the handicaps

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Overthehillprop @overthehillprop.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

This is outstanding from Carrick. Gives real insight into both sides kicking and defensive strategies. I think France used a similar tactic to England on Friday night and it will cause Ireland problems. The idea is to let Ireland run their patterns and allow the defenders time to read and react.

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Cian Ó Muilleoir @rugbykino.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

A superb look at some of the tactics employed both sides of the ball by both teams. Have a look, I *guarantee* that you'll learn something.

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EK Rugby Analysis @ekrugby.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

This is excellent from Carrick

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Sam Larner @samlstandsup.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Brilliant

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Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

Fantastic piece of analysis by Carrick!

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 05/02/2025

The Six Nations returned this week, and the latest iteration seems off to a flier. Ireland started with an arm wrestle of a game until the bench made a pivotal difference but what else can we learn from their clash v England

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Had chance to have a glance at Northamptons win against Bath Some interesting things to see as they combatted Baths press and some awesome launch plays Enjoy drive.google.com/file/d/1S6L9...

drive.google.com

Saints v Bath Final.mov

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

This is a beauty - so nearly well defended by the 13 to double D but just gets beaten by some quick hands

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Weird game so far Australia start so strong but Wales grinding back A game so dependent on having the ball. Defence making few dents to momentum and attacks flowing Superb game to watch though

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 22/12/2023

Using Oval data I have taken a look at some of the most impressive defences of the season so far with both Benetton and Munster conceding under 125 points so far in the URC Whats remarkable is they have done it using two different approaches. Enjoy :) theanalysisguy.sport.blog/2023/12/22/f...

A blog looking at the Ferocious defence of Munster versus the flowing more constrained defence of Benetton

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 10/12/2023

Been playing around with more Oval data This time examining Long Side attack Toulouse are effective when attacking the long side of the pitch, while Zebre explore shortside most frequently. Interesting to see a ProD2 cluster for less effective long side dominant teams.

A graph plotting Metres Made on Long Side attacks against the percentage of phases which attack the long side.

Teams in the top half will make more metres for each longside play, while those on the right hand side use the longside more often.

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 04/12/2023

Using Oval Insights we can clearly see the benefits of playing into wide channels. Use of layers becoming even more important for teams as they look to stretch the field of play - thread on the other place - with Scarlets a great example from the URC (even if their tight game is struggling).

A graph showing the carry metres made for different distances from the ruck

A graph plotting the teams of the URC with their Metres made on tight attacks v carry metres made on wide attacks

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 01/12/2023

Friday Brain Teaser For You: Which team in the European leagues this season has averaged the most sacks? Sacks = Tackles behind the gain line, on phases with exactly 1 pass and played no wider than 7 metres. 💣💣

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 01/12/2023

Beginning to experiment with measuring width and other attributes of individual phases. The list posted last night showed those sides which played the highest proportion of wide_wide (over 40m of width) phases this season. But who do you think is most effective?

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 01/12/2023

A first little challenge for you all on this new platform What metric are these the Top 10 sides in across Europe this season Hint: It concerns their attacking style

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 01/12/2023

A first little challenge for you all on this new platform What metric are these the Top 10 sides in across Europe this season Hint: It concerns their attacking style

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 30/11/2023

A little bit of rugby stats digging for you. For every metre of width you play with, you gain on avg 0.55 a metre in ground.

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 28/11/2023

I might have a bit of free time coming up Is there anything that has caught your eyes in the Pro game recently or an area of the game that would be interesting for a deep dive?

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Carrick Blake @analysisguy0502.bsky.social · 28/11/2023

Well hello there Looks like the community is starting to grow Any recommendations on who to follow welcome #Rugby

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