Check Mate!

As brutal and as rough as rugby may be, it still remains a very tactical game.

Although execution is key, having a good tactical approach will go a long way to securing victory. Teams often have different tactics for different opposition and no matter if they have a brilliant team full of brilliant players, if the tactics aren't spot on it could lead to defeat. The same can be said for weaker teams beating stronger sides with better tactics.

I believe that the leading rugby playing countries all possess players of equal or near equal quality. The difference lies in both tactical and technical coaching and man-management.At international level players do not have to be coached, they are professionals in a professional era and are picked because they have mastered their rugby game more than anyone else in their position in their country. At the international level, I believe that players need to be managed correctly and sold into executing a coaches tactics.

Getting tactics right is like playing a game of chess, you have to predict your opponent's moves before they've made any, while making sure that your own strategy doesn't weaken your ambitions or open up opportunities for your opponent to exploit.

Tactics need plans and back up plans. If one tactic isn't working you need alternatives to turn to, but if they are working keep applying them - more often and with pristine execution. South Africa's tactic of using the up-and-under against the All Blacks in Durban revealed a previously un-obvious weakness. After the first few successful attempts, the Boks repeatedly put the New Zealand back three under pressure with high balls. This tactic proved highly effective and provided good go-forward as the ball was often won back and placed uncertainty and disappointment in the All Black side. The mental side of rugby is a whole new discussion, but tactics can play a huge role in demoralising your opponents.

The Australians like to hold onto the ball for long periods of play, this often tests the opposition's patience and resolve, and those with little patience often give away penalties or stray away from their original game plan in order to retrieve possession which sometimes leads to try-scoring opportunities for the Wallabies.

Tactics are needed to exploit weaknesses and take advantage, but sometimes tactics are used to play to certain strengths. There is far more to rugby than the brutal nature of the sport which is another reason why rugby is so insanely exciting.

At the end of the day, it's all about being able to say "check mate".