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#Post#: 52024--------------------------------------------------
Have Quins improved
DIR By: never sleep
Date: October 26, 2020, 10:01 am
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This is behind a pay wall and I can't read it, so I don't know
what it says
HTML https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/10/26/have-harlequins-improved-paul-gustard/
#Post#: 52026--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: BedfordshireBoy
Date: October 26, 2020, 12:25 pm
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The announcement of Paul Gustard as Harlequins head coach back
in May 2018 seemed a smart move. A young, English coach who had
experience of winning environments with both Saracens and
England. More importantly, Gustard’s expertise in defence was
much needed at The Stoop as Quins had become increasingly
porous.
A change was certainly needed as the transition to John Kingston
from Conor O’Shea ultimately proved unfruitful. But two years
into his reign, have Harlequins improved?
In terms of league position, Gustard has secured back-to-back
top six finishes and a place in Europe’s elite cup competition.
A steady, albeit unspectacular, result.
Telegraph Sport breaks down Harlequins’ game into key areas to
see what has improved and what has faltered under Gustard.
Attack
Since Gustard took charge, Harlequins have marginally improved
their average points per game and average tries per game. This
is perhaps unexpected, given Gustard’s speciality is defence.
However, Quins have found their creative spark in Marcus Smith
who - along with Danny Care - has the ability to conjure special
moments out of nothing.
That being said, Harlequins’ attacking structure does not feel
as refined as others. The south-west Londoners rarely strike
from first phase using their backs and often get stuck in two
minds in the middle third of the field. While some teams elect
to kick and others, such as Exeter, prefer to maintain
possession, Harlequins mix it up. Smith has become a better game
controller this season, electing to kick for territory more
frequently which has started to reduced the number of phases
wasted going nowhere.
Despite an improvement in terms of stats, it would be hard to
argue that Quins’ current attack can match the free flowing
rugby of the O’Shea era when a dynamic offloading game and a
less rigid structure proved effective, on the whole.
Defence
By the end of O’Shea’s time in charge, Harlequins defence was
struggling to cope. The situation only worsened under Kingston
and Gustard deserves credit for bringing solidity to the
defence.
Quins now place a greater emphasis on line speed and are
certainly a better organised unit. The stats, when compared to
Kingston’s time in charge, bear that out.
In particular, Gustard's defence has reduced the number of tries
it concedes per game compared to his predecessor.
However, in the most recent Premiership season, Harlequins
conceded the ninth most points in the league, illustrating that
they are far from the finished article. The problem for
Harlequins has frequently been indiscipline rather than the act
of making tackles. Solid defensive stands have been undercut by
offside penalties or silly ruck infringements too often.
Given the starting point that Gustard inherited, it would be
fair to say Harlequins are improved defensively. They have not
become the dominant unit that the former England defence coach
would have hope for, however.
Set-piece
The data on this area is the most illuminating. Quite simply,
Harlequins’ scrum has improved under Gustard but the lineout has
worsened. Those who have watched Quins closely will be well
aware of the lineout issues with both Scott Baldwin and Elia
Elia prone to wayward delivery.
Adam Jones has made strides with his pack in terms of
scrummaging, with Simon Kerrod’s inclusion in England’s wider
training squad an endorsement of the progress made by
individuals and the team alike. It will be interesting to see
how Springbok Wilco Louw settles in, tasked with the unenviable
assignment of replacing Kyle Sinckler.
It is a different story at the lineout, although the arrival of
Jerry Flannery to the coaching set-up certainly saw Quins take a
step in the right direction. If Harlequins are going to become a
play-off team, their ability to retain their own ball on
set-piece will have to improve.
Squad quality
While this is the hardest element to assess, it feels like
Harlequins’ squad has improved over the past two years. Although
the output of England internationals such as Mike Brown and
Danny Care has diminished, Quins are now less reliant on their
England regulars.
In fact, with just Joe Marchant and Joe Marler regularly
included in England’s strongest squad, Harlequins are no longer
faced with the spine of their team being taken away for large
chunks of the season.
Possessing high-quality operators like Alex Dombrandt, James
Chisholm, Stephan Lewies and Matt Symons who are available all
season is hugely underrated in the Premiership.
The back line is coming together nicely with three quality
scrum-halves and the addition of Andre Esterhuizen, to add to
the impressive variety of centre and back three options.
Quins could do with an extra back-rower to help cover the losses
of Chris Robshaw and Semi Kunatani - neither of whom have been
directly replaced - to add to Dombrandt, Chisholm, Will Evans
and Tom Lawday.
All in all, Harlequins have the squad on paper to compete, with
young players in key positions set to improve.
Verdict
Harlequins have made positive strides under Gustard, although
the rate of improvement has been rather slower than hoped.
Impressive performances have been backed up with disappointing
showings and form away from The Stoop has been a particular
issue.
It feels as if Quins need more clarity. They are not a forward
orientated team, nor a free flowing team that thrives in
unstructured play. They are not dominant at the set-piece or in
the tight, too frequently relying on a bit of magic from
Dombrandt, Smith or Marchant to bail them out.
If Harlequins can refine their game plan and bring more clarity
to their structure, they could be a force next season. However,
it feels as if they are set to remain a team of middling
also-rans, given the strength of Exeter, Wasps, Bristol, Sale
and Bath.
In year three of Gustard's tenure, it is time for a Harlequins
side with real identity to emerge. If that can be established,
perhaps improved results will follow.
#Post#: 52027--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: Quinspur
Date: October 26, 2020, 12:40 pm
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Sums it up well. Mid table making up the numbers. The pack
looks way underpowered in comparison to other teams, with a
shortage of grunt The backs don’t seem to make the fast
yards down the pitch, the play gets stuck in midfield. The
team has the ability to lose from a winning position far to
regularly. On the plus side, Care and Smith can destroy any
team, but they need better ball. Pleased to see Scott Steele
coming through well, likewise Evans. The other new signings
may need time to shine. Still, not long to wait until next
season.
#Post#: 52028--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: October 26, 2020, 12:43 pm
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Will we see anymore signings though??
#Post#: 52030--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: October 26, 2020, 1:05 pm
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Pretty spot on summary I'd say. Too often relying on individual
moments of brilliance. Lineout still awful. Can't defend
attacking lineout mauls and we refuse to compete. In fact we
usually end up keeping them out initially by illegal means,
giving away a series of penalties and ultimately a yellow card
and then eventually conceding anyway.
Kerrod, Symons and Lewies do seem to have made a different.
With Estherhuizen and Lasike it would seem that we're going to
move away from two playmakers at 10 and 12. We also seems to box
kick far more now, so looks like we'll be moving to a far more
structured, direct game. The issue is that our pack aren't
really big enough for a 10 man game.
Last season was a bit of a sandwich - dodgy start, great period
in the middle where we looked on course for a third then
complete collapse. This season, weird as it's been, has just
been inconsistent throughout.
#Post#: 52031--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: Comet
Date: October 26, 2020, 1:16 pm
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Thank you very much for sharing the full article, BB.
I think this article is a very welcome bit of analysis. The bit
about needing a clarity of vision is absolutely right. I feel
like it is the big task of this off-season for Gussy and the
coaches to work out our style and create a plan around it.
The skills, fitness and relationships are all pretty solid. The
team's vision will help us to establish the type of team that
will be successful.
I think Gussy might want us to open up and go for it, in spite
of his defensive background. He seems to recognise the Quins DNA
and wants to embrace it.
When are the boys back to pre-season training? Next week?
#Post#: 52032--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: J Scott
Date: October 26, 2020, 3:27 pm
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According to DC on insta it started today.
#Post#: 52034--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: Bayernquin
Date: October 26, 2020, 3:41 pm
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Very succinct, fair and balanced article! Grown up journalism
again, which has been missing since Brexit/covid!
#Post#: 52035--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: The Quin Meister
Date: October 26, 2020, 4:43 pm
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Yes, thanks for posting BB.
I agree it is a balanced piece and I think we will continue to
improve next year. Gussy has been on a major squad rebuild and
this stuff takes time to bear fruit. I think Andre Esterhuizen
and Wilco Low will prove astute signings and we've yet to see
what Tyrone Green can offer. We shall surely get at least one
quality replacement for Robshaw, Clifford and Semi. We do need
to sharpen up some areas of our attack and lineout but let the
pundits big up other teams..... I am quietly confident we shall
surprise a few people next season.
#Post#: 52039--------------------------------------------------
Re: Have Quins improved
DIR By: Quinten Poulsen
Date: October 26, 2020, 5:45 pm
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--- Quote from: honkytonk link ---
>
> Will we see anymore signings though??
>
--- End Quote ---
I have reason to believe we are either getting or trying to get
a player from NZ by Cristmas.
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