Inside channel: Who is the best defensive Fly-half?
Data's Decree for the Defensive Fly-Half King.
When considering the multifaceted role of a fly-half, defence often finds itself overshadowed by other priorities. Yet, in the evolving landscape of rugby, where defensive systems have become increasingly sophisticated, weaknesses in this facet of the game are no longer overlooked.
In this analysis piece, powered by Oval Insights data, we turn our attention to the defensive capabilities of a selected group of elite test fly-halves. To qualify, these fly-halves were required to have made a minimum of 15 tackle attempts in each format.
Oval’s data will allow us to dissect the defensive performance of these players who are vital cogs of their teams attack but also often targeted defenders.
In the context of the 2023 Test matches, Jack Crowley emerges as the standout performer, translating his exceptional URC form onto the international stage in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup. Right on his heels is Dan Biggar, boasting a slightly lower tackle success rate but an impressively higher number of tackle attempts per 80 minutes, showcasing Biggar's proactive approach to defending, never one to shy away from a tackle.
A newcomer to the Australian 10 jersey, Carter Gordan, takes the top spot with a remarkable 13.13 tackle attempts per 80 minutes. Surprisingly, Johnny Sexton and Finn Russell find themselves considerably lower on the table. Additionally, it's noteworthy that Manie Libbok has the lowest tackle attempt rate per 80 minutes.
Notably absent from the above statistics are Handrè Pollard, George Ford, and Damian McKenzie. Their omission stems from not meeting the 15 tackle attempt threshold at the test level, primarily due to limited game time.
In the 2022/2023 Club season, Owen Farrell and Johnny Sexton emerge as the frontrunners in the club arena, a notable ascent from their lower positions in the Test match tackle success rankings. Farrell's resurgence can be attributed to a larger sample size and his brief stint at the 12 position during the 2023 Test season.
In contrast, Johnny Sexton played more minutes at Test level than Club, yet had a significantly higher tackle success rate and tackle attempts per 80 mins at Club level.
Damian McKenzie showcases a commendable 81.9% tackle success rate, while his international teammate Richie Mo'unga had a disappointing tackle success rate of only 62.9%.
The group of Ford, Gordan, Sexton, Pollard, and Farrell proves their hunger for tackles, leading the pack with the highest tackle attempts per 80 minutes.
As we consolidate the data from both formats, a clearer picture emerges of who is leading the charge across both club and test rugby:
George Ford and Owen Farrell form an elite echelon of players who not only engage in a high volume of tackles per 80 minutes but also maintain an impressive tackle success rate of over 80%. Conversely, players like Carter Gordan and Handrè Pollard attempt a substantial number of tackles but exhibit a lower success rate in comparison.
In contrast, Carreras, Mo'unga, Libbok, Jalibert, and Russell find themselves on the less favourable end of the spectrum within this graphic. Collectively, they register fewer tackle attempts and achieve tackle success rates in the mid-60 percent range.
It's imperative to acknowledge that individual statistics are influenced by defensive systems, with teams that prioritise rush defending often experiencing lower tackle success rates.
While fly-halves fulfil a myriad of roles on the rugby pitch, defending remains just one facet of their skill set. However, the data above suggests that when it comes to running at opponents, opting for Carreras, Libbok, Russell, or Mo'unga may yield more success than challenging the channel of Ford, Farrell, or Biggar.