Playing an expansive style of rugby, the Stormers’ success in the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship season relied heavily on the guile of their back three with ball in hand.
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According to an analysis article by the official URC website, the Stormers were able to capture the title last season thanks in part to how the Cape side utilised their wings and fullback.
Statistically, the Stormers back three are the only position group in the league who contributed more than 25% of the passes thrown by their team. They also accounted for over 20% of the Stormers’ carries last season.
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This was mainly down to how the Stormers used either Warrick Gelant or Damian Willemse as a secondary playmaker from fullback. Both players averaged over six passes a game.
Gelant and wing Seabelo Senatla had high ratios of key passes per pass. Every eighth pass from Gelant or Senatla resulted in either a linebreak or try.
The analysis also points out how effective No 8 Evan Roos was utilised by the Stormers last season.
Roos is ranked by the URC StatMaster as the eighth most effective ball-carrier in the competition and last season made the sixth-highest percentage of dominant carries and third highest of dominant tackles.
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Photo: Twitter: @Springboks
