Sign in

Graeme Forbes

@thedeadballarea.bsky.social
1.1K followers 63 following 210 posts

Graeme Forbes Producing Rugby Analysis since 2014. I'm the former Head Coach Jordan Men and Women's Rugby (Sevens and 15's).

PostsRepliesMedia
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
Some thoughts on Englands attack. www.thedeadballarea.com/englands-att...
thedeadballarea.com
England's Attacking Evolution - The Dead Ball Area
When Andy Farrell announced his coaching team for the British and Irish Lions tour, it’s likely very few would have seen the announcement of Richard Wigglesworth coming. Six Months ago, there were sho...
242
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Simon Gleave @simongleave.bsky.social · 19/02/2025
🌹England Rugby Attack: Under Jones good to very good but began to decline 2021 - 2022. Improving again now under Borthwick. BUT Defence: Problems started in 2020 and increased to the point where Jones was sacked. Now as bad as it was in the days of Robinson/Ashton/Johnson. #SixNations
183
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Took another look at some Svns play. This time a set piece from Australia Women to put Dennis away for a cracker vs NZ. youtu.be/nPGQz-fNnrI?si=7EHaD8rjE2k…
youtu.be
The Anatomy of a Try: Dennis vs New Zealand January 2025
YouTube video by The Dead Ball Area
000
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
This is really worth following. Analysis by Simon on the bookies accuracy vs the teams performance (kind of)..
020
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
042
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Brett Igoe @brettrugbyanalyst.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
thecurrency.news/articles/178... #Rugby #SixNations
341
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
HG Rugby @huwgriffinrugby.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Rugby is trending away from multi-phase play and more towards starter plays. Against Italy, Wales had 17 line-outs from which to launch attacks. Here’s what happened at ever single one. 🧵 — 1. Italy disrupt, a few pick and goes, Wales kick
7329
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Ok, slightly late this week, as had a lot on but 6 Nations Squad Composition by Caps. First Up England vs France (we'll come back to this). 1/
400
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Non-Rugby. My good friend Darren Aka Syon Ward put out his LP, Last Sane Man, and 50 digital copies are going free. If you like techno and electronica it might be your thing...
010
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Shane Williams... there has to be numbers, someone needs to step up and say right let's have 2 passes and have a go! Getting paid for that sh*te!
190
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Fantastic piece of analysis by Carrick!
021
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Full Contact.... the "conversational interviews" are appaling. Just ask a question, and let them answer dont pretend they are sat with their partner chatting like this.... Awful!
341
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Not gonna lie, Fantastic 4 trailer looks great. How i hoped it would look.
010
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Jeff Neville (The Loose Head) @thelooseh.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Why join? Recently awarded 2024/25 Outstanding Club of the Year (Balbriggan Town Awards) & 2025 Club of the Year for Inclusivity (Fingal Sports Awards). • 6-week Mini member: €10! • 50% off new Youth/Adult membership! • Bring a friend: 20% subs back! Call Jeff: 0857245733
022
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
J52Wallusch @j52wallusch.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
#AutumnNationsSeries kicking statistics 792 kicks in 18 games Most frequently used kick? Yes, that's right, the box-kick: 290 (37%) But there's one huge surprise, marking perhaps a possible shift in exit strategy. The @springboks.bsky.social haven't contributed much. #Georgia, however 1/
292
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Cian Ó Muilleoir @rugbykino.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
You won't find better kicking stats and analysis than Jacek's.
181
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Charlie Morgan @charliemorgan.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Ben Curry and Ben Earl have taken precisely zero line-outs between them this season for their clubs. Here's a piece on insert lifting, a tactic that is often totally missed by television coverage and might well be key to England's strategy this weekend. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
telegraph.co.uk
The ‘impossible’ line-out move England can turn on against Ireland
One suspects Steve Borthwick’s side will have to be squeaky clean with this intricate tactic during Six Nations
051
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Charlie Morgan @charliemorgan.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Spoke to some referees about refereeing Maro Itoje and what sort of England captain he will be. 📊 Stats illustrating risk v reward 🥷 Properly sneaky stuff at the line-out 💬 How demeanour compares to predecessors 📏 Why new laws might temper penalties www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
telegraph.co.uk
Maro Itoje will be an upgrade as England captain, according to referees
Despite a mild-mannered persona, the Saracens lock has a reputation for playing risk and reward with officials
041
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Hugo Gordon @hugogordon.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
My preview of the 2025 Six Nations. Have a read, so you can make fun of my predictions when they're all proved badly wrong in a few weeks. hugomongoose.wordpress.com/2025/01/27/s...
hugomongoose.wordpress.com
Six Nations 2025 Preview
We head into the 2025 Six Nations at a fascinating time for Europe’s top international sides. Ireland are back-to-back champions but seem to be struggling for form and fluency; France look ba…
194
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
J52Wallusch @j52wallusch.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Before #GuinnessM6N kicks off, I'll have something for you Detailed kicking statistics from #AutumnNationsSeries based on nearly 800 kicks analysed 1. Kicking profiles: contestable %, 50/22, under pressure and much more 2. Brand new aerial contest database as #Tableau dashboard
071
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
So head to head this is how the squads stack up for Round One of the 6Nations. Bigger and higher equals more caps, you can see the clusters of caps where teams maybe have many mid-tier cap experience. Here France vs Wales. 1/
252
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
Mens 6 Nations Kicks off with France vs Wales. For Round one: Ireland will field the most experienced Squad with 1190 caps between them. Scotland the next with 842m followed by Italy with 739, England - 649, Wales - 628 and France at the back with 544. 1/
141
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Jordie Barrett really has been excellent since joining Leinster. Easy to overlook how good he is at international level but the fact he stands out in a team like this tells you everything.
3111
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Zebo on co-Comms is exceptionally bad. /theend
230
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
My take for @dailymaverick ahead of the final round of the Champions Cup pool phase, where SA teams are scrapping for survival rather gunning for home advantage in the playoffs. www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
dailymaverick.co.za
SA’s Champions Cup prospects on the rocks
South African clubs may have already blown their chances of advancing to the latter stages of the Champions Cup and contending for the title itself.
011
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
Sorry for the radio silence, works and life has been crazy. And haven't had the urge to post much due to that. New Video up though so there is that. :D
020
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
Quick Look atGlasgow Warriors opening try vs Racing 92. Racing make a big mistake by moving Gibert to defend at 13, Glasgow ruthlessly exploit it by flooding his channel and making him indecisive. 1/
172
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
J52Wallusch @j52wallusch.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
Blitzing or dropping is the standard optimisation problem football 🏈defensive co-ordinators face. It seems like #rugby defensive coaches have started asking the very same question. An example from #AutumnNationsSeries: #England sent 3 players to pressure #Japan 's Takuro Matsunaga. 1/
131
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
Saracens vs Saints, what a bonkers game. Saints really need to learn to protect their possession better, it is fine attacking from everywhere, but taking the steam out of a side like Sarries is important and you do that by playing through the ruck defence (which Saints did on 2nd half).
010
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
Sorry been absent been fighting a cold of great magnitude and also prep for Christmas.
110
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Question: Do you prefer short sharp analysis videos (1 - 2 minutes max), or long 10-15+ minutes deep dives into a specific subject (like a teams defence) trying to unpack as much as possible?
220
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Great try from the USA to turn the Cape Town Semi Final on its head and wrench momentum away from the Australians. USA’s defence is intelligent, watch how they box in the Australian edge attack which brings the attackers in to resource the ruck. 1/ *had to split video for BSKY
240
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
That's not a yellow. It's a red. Poor decision imo Stade vs Sarries game.
100
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Weather was as important as the players but pretty solid from Sarries to be fair. Slightly disappointed as it was against Bulls who I supported when I lived in Pretoria.
010
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Just saw the Arnold/Gizzard incident. Appalling - would imagine a lengthy ban is coming.
100
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Eykin, Flats, and Warburton might just be the best comms team on TV right now. I'm a huge fan of Kay, but these guys have fantastic chemistry. TBF, for the first time in a while, I can't think of any poor comms teams (Premiership).
120
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 30/11/2024
Aussie attack really frustrating to watch today. Appreciate the weather/moisture but there has been some poor decisions in attack. Number of opportunities overlooked for straightening, or contact.
020
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
This is excellent from Brendon.
110
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Cian Ó Muilleoir @rugbykino.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
I've seen that piece by the BBC selecting a Lions XV claiming it's 'stats driven', and to be honest I think it lacks rigour from the numbers side. What follows is not a dig at any of the players in the piece or what country they're from. This is entirely my nerdery in action, so bear with me.
4222
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Jon Cardinelli @joncardinelli.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Boks won 11/13 Tests while changing starting XV on a weekly basis. Took a closer look at the method behind the supposed madness of selecting 50 players and various combos. Numbers are incredible. Plain to see how Rassie is building depth in every department www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024...
0104
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
sorry been a bit quiet on here this week - had some leave to go an help with some charities here in Jordan, back home now so about to jump back on the analysis bandwagon :D
140
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Rugby Wrap Up @rugbywrapup.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED... #TheRugbyOdds. Called "...the Best Rugby Entertainment Weekly of the Year." youtu.be/fbDxebrLExw?... #rugby #autumnnationsseries #urc #premrugby #top14
youtu.be
The Rugby Odds: World Rugby Elections, IPL Rugby Rumors, France/NZ Epic, Brilliant Boks, Joe Schmidt
YouTube video by Rugby Wrap Up
123
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
DCMS need to get involved in the RFU scandal (and it is one). A year on from their inquest into the demise of 3 clubs and now RFU hand out a 350k bonus and up his wages to £1.1m. That simply has to be challenged when the sport is asphyxiating elsewhere. committees.parliament.uk/work/1607/sp...
committees.parliament.uk
Collapse of clubs ‘stain on reputation’ of rugby authorities with finances ‘clearly unsustainable’ - Committees - UK Parliament
The financial demise of Worcester Warriors and Wasps is a “stain on the reputation” of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby Limited (PRL), MPs say today, in a report that c...
0142
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Overthehillprop @overthehillprop.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Ireland Loosehead mins in 2024 Porter (28 yrs old) started all 10 games playing 624 mins out of a possible 800. Avg 62 mins per game. Healy (37) 8 bench apps for 118 mins average 15 mins per game O'Toole (26) 1 game v Fiji 33 mins Loughman (29) 1 game v Italy 25 mins
2101
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Jared Wright @jaredwright17.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Taken from @overthehillprop.bsky.social’s X page. Farrell forced into making changes more than giving opportunities.
281
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
£1.1m buys a lot of fake tan!
140
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Alex Lowe @alexmlowe.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
The RFU will pay Bill Sweeney £1.1million this year — a record for a chief executive at a British sports governing body — at a time when Twickenham is braced for record losses and redundancies www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-...
thetimes.com
Bill Sweeney: Cash-strapped RFU pays chief executive record £1.1m
The amount is a record for a CEO at a British sporting governing body, at a time when the union is cutting jobs and reducing costs
6208
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Squidge Rugby @squidgerugby.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Bill Sweeney's Christmas bonus: £358k The RFU's funding to each Championship club ('23/24): £150k
2014430
Graeme Forbes @thedeadballarea.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Feels about right to me.
040
Reposted by Graeme Forbes
Cian Ó Muilleoir @rugbykino.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
I've finally got around to making a feed out of my #Rugby Analysts & Stats starter pack. So if you want somewhere to have a quick dive into that end of the game, just pin it to your feed list! I plan on doing the same with my other starter pack soon, so watch this space! bsky.app/profile/did:...
0367