We're back! While Finnish teams are hard at work preparing for the 2015 campaign, we take a look back at how it all ended last year, with a review of the Mens SM Final between Helsinki Rugby Club (HRC) and Warriors Rugby Club (WRC). You can follow the action thanks to the ever-reliable WRCAtsu here.
0:00:18
A great kick allows HRC to be right on top of WRC at the moment of catching. Could this have been improved by another WRC player coming from deeper claiming the ball and jumping into it, thereby protecting himself in the air. As it happened, by having to back-track and turn his back, WRC's 4 makes a dream target of himself.
0:07:52
By having the first man ready and waiting before the jumper has even landed, HRC are able to effectively set a maul with the ball at the back in seconds, before half of WRC's pack can react to the danger. Impatience proves HRC's undoing, breaking away before necessary and quick thinking from WRC's 8 wins the turnover.
0:10:40
A whole lot of action in a short time! First the scrum: WRC are forced to focus on holding of HRC's defensive push that their hooker is never able to even take a swing at it. Nevertheless it is still quite a reach from HRC's hooker to make the steal. But again it's WRC's 8 who saves the day at the following breakdown. The crucial factor now is the speed at which HRC react to the turnover, bringing the defensive line up quickly to cut off WRC's chance to attack out wide and forcing them back into mass of defenders. WRC fail to react as quickly to the turnover and so no guard is posted at the near-side of the ruck, giving HRC's 6 the second needed to build momentum and power over for the opening try (converted). Score: 7-0.
0:16:30
A clever defensive lineout setup allows WRC to create 2 pods within a tighter space. Although it's not enough to get the steal here, WRC do some great work to fragment and hold up another strong driving maul.
0:20:00
For 3 rucks in a row, HRC fail completely to clear away a WRC threat, allowing WRC to slow and disrupt play until HRC concede a penalty.
0:21:15
Another well-set maul, this time by WRC, but HRC adopt a different approach to breaking it. By turning the maul one way and then turning the splinter before support can arrrive, HRC force WRC's 8 to break away.
0:31:45
Compare the body positions and directions of the two packs during the scrum, particularly in the initial moments. HRC are almost a single, flat line, whereas WRC have different players at different heights and at different angles. Once the tighthead side of WRC's scrum begins to buckle, the domino effect is inevitable.
0:42:10
Again WRC win the battle of wits at the breakdown, with WRC's 7 falling onto HRC's side in a way which allows him to appear to be making an effort not to interfere but at the same time blocking HRC's support players by that vital second which allows his own teammates to steal possession.
0:44:40
Sloppy play gifts WRC possession, but the speed at which HRC's defense aligns shuts down the danger.
Second half
0:49:35
Is it us, or did WRC's prop pick that up in the scrum? Good reactions, sir!
0:51:06
Don't argue! Yet let's assess why it happened: HRC's 18 has got himself nice and low, but then lowered his head in anticipation of contact and at the same time tucking his head across his body. This means that he cannot see the danger coming, allowing WRC's 10 to change his body position and simply knock him off balance. Eyes on the target, people!
1:0030
End to end stuff! What's great is that HRC's 14 not only sprints cross-field for one try-saving tackle, but then also motors across the make another. You have to say that WRC blow a chance on the near side: had WRC's 18 looked up earlier to judge the pass better, the overlap would have made life difficult for HRC.
1:02:35
HRC cause their own downfall: rushed lineout is one thing, but in their panic the defenders lose their previous composure and focus on the breakdown rather than where the danger is. This leaves WRC with a an easy blindside overlap, well finished. Score: 7-5
1:05:18
A needless penalty to concede - HRC could have easily made the effort to retire a bit quicker!
1:23:35
A weak position for the tackle attempt and a well-placed fend gives WRC the breakaway, but again the cover defense saves the day!
1:25:22
Strong fend and leg drive from HRC's 1, which begs the question why none of the 4 defenders thought to take his legs!
1:25:55
The little shimmy from HRC's 10 and a well-placed miss pass keep the near defenders committed just long enough to give the space to his 6. From there, WRC are always playing catch-up too close to their own line. HRC's 21 almost kills his own advantage with his line of running, but it's the faster feet and a determined leg drive that win it. Score: 12-5.
1:27:52
Great commitment from WRC's 12 to go for the restart recovery, but what a check the body position of HRC's 2 as he enters contact: a little dip just before lowers his centre of gravity makes it tricky to hit his legs without risking a (large) shoulder in the face.
1:32:12
A massive scrum from HRC gives their number 8 a big chance. A switch with the wing (wearing 7) could well have given them the score, but instead it's a vital tackle from WRC's fullback and great back-tracking from the 10 to save the day.
1:33:12
Perhaps a minor thing, but HRC can't be more than 10m from the try line. With their previous scrum success and another take against the head, could a better option have been to drive for the line? In the end it didn't matter!
Final score: 12-5
Focal point: Porvoo hosted a great day of rugby. Photo by Michael Ayling
0:00:18
A great kick allows HRC to be right on top of WRC at the moment of catching. Could this have been improved by another WRC player coming from deeper claiming the ball and jumping into it, thereby protecting himself in the air. As it happened, by having to back-track and turn his back, WRC's 4 makes a dream target of himself.
0:07:52
By having the first man ready and waiting before the jumper has even landed, HRC are able to effectively set a maul with the ball at the back in seconds, before half of WRC's pack can react to the danger. Impatience proves HRC's undoing, breaking away before necessary and quick thinking from WRC's 8 wins the turnover.
0:10:40
A whole lot of action in a short time! First the scrum: WRC are forced to focus on holding of HRC's defensive push that their hooker is never able to even take a swing at it. Nevertheless it is still quite a reach from HRC's hooker to make the steal. But again it's WRC's 8 who saves the day at the following breakdown. The crucial factor now is the speed at which HRC react to the turnover, bringing the defensive line up quickly to cut off WRC's chance to attack out wide and forcing them back into mass of defenders. WRC fail to react as quickly to the turnover and so no guard is posted at the near-side of the ruck, giving HRC's 6 the second needed to build momentum and power over for the opening try (converted). Score: 7-0.
0:16:30
A clever defensive lineout setup allows WRC to create 2 pods within a tighter space. Although it's not enough to get the steal here, WRC do some great work to fragment and hold up another strong driving maul.
0:20:00
For 3 rucks in a row, HRC fail completely to clear away a WRC threat, allowing WRC to slow and disrupt play until HRC concede a penalty.
0:21:15
Another well-set maul, this time by WRC, but HRC adopt a different approach to breaking it. By turning the maul one way and then turning the splinter before support can arrrive, HRC force WRC's 8 to break away.
He's behind you!: Warrior's Tumppi Finell evades the clutches of Helsinki's Kari Ahrnberg. Photo by Michael Ayling
0:31:45
Compare the body positions and directions of the two packs during the scrum, particularly in the initial moments. HRC are almost a single, flat line, whereas WRC have different players at different heights and at different angles. Once the tighthead side of WRC's scrum begins to buckle, the domino effect is inevitable.
0:42:10
Again WRC win the battle of wits at the breakdown, with WRC's 7 falling onto HRC's side in a way which allows him to appear to be making an effort not to interfere but at the same time blocking HRC's support players by that vital second which allows his own teammates to steal possession.
0:44:40
Sloppy play gifts WRC possession, but the speed at which HRC's defense aligns shuts down the danger.
Second half
0:49:35
Is it us, or did WRC's prop pick that up in the scrum? Good reactions, sir!
0:51:06
Don't argue! Yet let's assess why it happened: HRC's 18 has got himself nice and low, but then lowered his head in anticipation of contact and at the same time tucking his head across his body. This means that he cannot see the danger coming, allowing WRC's 10 to change his body position and simply knock him off balance. Eyes on the target, people!
1:0030
End to end stuff! What's great is that HRC's 14 not only sprints cross-field for one try-saving tackle, but then also motors across the make another. You have to say that WRC blow a chance on the near side: had WRC's 18 looked up earlier to judge the pass better, the overlap would have made life difficult for HRC.
Win it! The breakdown was heavily contested for all 80 minutes. Photo by Michael Ayling
1:02:35
HRC cause their own downfall: rushed lineout is one thing, but in their panic the defenders lose their previous composure and focus on the breakdown rather than where the danger is. This leaves WRC with a an easy blindside overlap, well finished. Score: 7-5
1:05:18
A needless penalty to concede - HRC could have easily made the effort to retire a bit quicker!
1:23:35
A weak position for the tackle attempt and a well-placed fend gives WRC the breakaway, but again the cover defense saves the day!
1, 2, 3! Helsinki's driving maul was a big feature of their 2014 season. Photo by Michael Ayling
1:25:22
Strong fend and leg drive from HRC's 1, which begs the question why none of the 4 defenders thought to take his legs!
1:25:55
The little shimmy from HRC's 10 and a well-placed miss pass keep the near defenders committed just long enough to give the space to his 6. From there, WRC are always playing catch-up too close to their own line. HRC's 21 almost kills his own advantage with his line of running, but it's the faster feet and a determined leg drive that win it. Score: 12-5.
Juggernaut: Juha Rainvuori scores for Warriors. Photo by Tero Wester
1:27:52
Great commitment from WRC's 12 to go for the restart recovery, but what a check the body position of HRC's 2 as he enters contact: a little dip just before lowers his centre of gravity makes it tricky to hit his legs without risking a (large) shoulder in the face.
1:32:12
A massive scrum from HRC gives their number 8 a big chance. A switch with the wing (wearing 7) could well have given them the score, but instead it's a vital tackle from WRC's fullback and great back-tracking from the 10 to save the day.
1:33:12
Perhaps a minor thing, but HRC can't be more than 10m from the try line. With their previous scrum success and another take against the head, could a better option have been to drive for the line? In the end it didn't matter!
Final score: 12-5
Job done: Helsinki celebrate an unbeaten season. Photo by Tero Wester
