EPISODE · May 9, 2026 · 19 MIN
The Rugby Stat Pundits Love But Coaches Hate: Defence Analysis Explained | Mini-Documentary
from HG Rugby · host Huw Griffin
In this mini-documentary I name the misleading rugby stat that pundits and fans love but defence coaches hate. With the help of writers, analysts and coaches, I explain the nuance of defending in rugby, what people are getting wrong and the tactics teams use to mask defensive weaknesses. The video discusses some excellent defenders like the Springboks' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and names some poor defenders too... References: 1. The Stats Do Lie by Wayne Smith https://www.therugbysite.com/blog/news-opinions/the-stats-do-lie-by-wayne-smith 2. Jacques Nienaber Interview (Irish Times) https://x.com/RugbyKino/status/1746465474123121104?s=20 3. Missed Tackles: What are they good for? By Sam Larner https://samlarner.substack.com/p/missed-tackles-what-are-they-good 4. Will Rowlands Interview (BBC) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66791500 5. URC official website https://stats.unitedrugby.com/statistics/2025-26 6. Gareth Jenkins Interview https://x.com/jpstafford/status/1690955381155954688?s=20 7. Shaun Edwards Interview (WalesOnline) https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/shaun-edwards-explains-wales-missed-17074287 8. Outflanked: How Ireland Exposed England's Defensive Issues Out Wide by Jonathan McCormick https://t.co/vHIInFED4A 9. Complete nonsense: What are the NRL'S most overrated stats? By Mike Meehall Wood https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/07/26/complete-nonsense-what-are-the-nrls-most-overrrated-stats/ 10. Jacques Nienaber and his defence playbook at Leinster by Ultimate Rugby https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/jacques-nienaber-and-his-defence-playbook-at-leinster/660790 11. Wales vs France Preview by Jonny McCormick https://t.co/v05tPZ9xTu 12. Opta Club Rugby Stats Hub https://theanalyst.com/club-rugby-stats 13. Inside Channel: Who is the best defensive Fly-half by Angus Usher https://analystgus.substack.com/p/inside-channel-who-is-the-best-defensive 14. Andre Pretorius Interview on HG Rugby https://youtu.be/9JjVBxg6bbs?si=tJ41JszyO0B6gBm4 15. Angus Usher Interview on HG Rugby https://youtu.be/s7HsVMg1a7k?si=cpnk8pV6AsB0tWZt 16. Analysis by Brett Igoe https://x.com/brettruganalyst #rugby #defence #tactics #coaching #analysis #documentary #springboks #southafrica #ireland Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Chapters 0:00 Problematic Numbers 1:17 A Broken Narrative 3:22 Not All Missed Tackles Are Equal 6:52 Making A Tackles vs Being Ran At 9:15 Hiding Weak Defenders (The South African View) 14:37 Which Stats Are Useful? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
In this mini-documentary I name the misleading rugby stat that pundits and fans love but defence coaches hate. With the help of writers, analysts and coaches, I explain the nuance of defending in rugby, what people are getting wrong and the tactics teams use to mask defensive weaknesses. The video discusses some excellent defenders like the Springboks' Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and names some poor defenders too... References: 1. The Stats Do Lie by Wayne Smith https://www.therugbysite.com/blog/news-opinions/the-stats-do-lie-by-wayne-smith 2. Jacques Nienaber Interview (Irish Times) https://x.com/RugbyKino/status/1746465474123121104?s=20 3. Missed Tackles: What are they good for? By Sam Larner https://samlarner.substack.com/p/missed-tackles-what-are-they-good 4. Will Rowlands Interview (BBC) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66791500 5. URC official website https://stats.unitedrugby.com/statistics/2025-26 6. Gareth Jenkins Interview https://x.com/jpstafford/status/1690955381155954688?s=20 7. Shaun Edwards Interview (WalesOnline) https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/shaun-edwards-explains-wales-missed-17074287 8. Outflanked: How Ireland Exposed England's Defensive Issues Out Wide by Jonathan McCormick https://t.co/vHIInFED4A 9. Complete nonsense: What are the NRL'S most overrated stats? By Mike Meehall Wood https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/07/26/complete-nonsense-what-are-the-nrls-most-overrrated-stats/ 10. Jacques Nienaber and his defence playbook at Leinster by Ultimate Rugby https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/jacques-nienaber-and-his-defence-playbook-at-leinster/660790 11. Wales vs France Preview by Jonny McCormick https://t.co/v05tPZ9xTu 12. Opta Club Rugby Stats Hub https://theanalyst.com/club-rugby-stats 13. Inside Channel: Who is the best defensive Fly-half by Angus Usher https://analystgus.substack.com/p/inside-channel-who-is-the-best-defensive 14. Andre Pretorius Interview on HG Rugby https://youtu.be/9JjVBxg6bbs?si=tJ41JszyO0B6gBm4 15. Angus Usher Interview on HG Rugby https://youtu.be/s7HsVMg1a7k?si=cpnk8pV6AsB0tWZt 16. Analysis by Brett Igoe https://x.com/brettruganalyst #rugby #defence #tactics #coaching #analysis #documentary #springboks #southafrica #ireland Follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Chapters 0:00 Problematic Numbers 1:17 A Broken Narrative 3:22 Not All Missed Tackles Are Equal 6:52 Making A Tackles vs Being Ran At 9:15 Hiding Weak Defenders (The South African View) 14:37 Which Stats Are Useful? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Rugby Stat Pundits Love But Coaches Hate: Defence Analysis Explained | Mini-Documentary
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