Starting Forwards
Bench Forwards
Our Foundations
The framework behind everything we do
Always operate faster than the opposition. Fast to set, fast to jump, fast to deliver, fast to the next phase. Tempo is our weapon — never let it drop.
Always QuickerClear, loud calls every time. Assess the fast option first at every lineout. Always offer an option to the hooker at the very front. Take checkout calls immediately.
Clear CommunicationSet a big gap and maintain it. Manage this ourselves — do not rely on the referee. Jump and lift straight down our line. Never compromise the gap.
Own The SpaceFront lifters — thumbs on the inside, square to the jumper. Back lifters — drive feet towards the jumper, start under the glutes. Both lifters squeezed as tight as possible at the top. Finish every lift — place the jumper out of the line.
Finish The LiftJump square to our lineout — avoid jumping into the line. Strong, straight body in the air. Keep legs together. Everybody works off the ball — dummy and move to distract the defence even when the ball is not coming to you.
Square & StrongPrecise delivery every time. Damaging the opposition with dynamic deliveries stops them competing in the air. Every player protects 9 on a passing delivery. The lineout ends when the backs have the ball — finish all aspects with intent.
Precision AlwaysLO Triggers
Movement triggers · Jumper calls · NOMADS position codes
Movement Starters
Jumper to 9 Calls
5-man: _ N O M _ · 6-man: _ N O M A _ · 7-man: _ N O M A D _
Maul & Drive
Roles · Responsibilities · Execution
The Jumper. Triple extension on landing. Launched upward — establish the anchor of the maul.
The Lifters. Turn on the way down and drive forward — the pointed attack that breaks the defence.
+1 receiver. Protects the ball, controls distribution. Right height, deliver cleanly.
Shoulder on to bums or into gaps. Cut through — create separation and distance between opposition.
Fill space, keep the attack loaded. Anticipate changes of direction, bodies and breakaway.
* Hooker becomes a Screw when throwing to the front of the LO for speed and safety.
Lineout Structures
NOMADS System · Attacking Shapes
7-Man shape grouping diagrams load here.
6-Man NOMADS diagram loads here.
6-Man shape grouping diagrams load here.
5-Man NOMADS diagram loads here.
5-Man shape grouping diagrams load here.
Shape / Talk
Pod groupings · Attack language · Defence language
Pod Passing Sequences
Pod groupings directly mirror the lineout shape numbers. A 2-3-2 shape means Pod 1 at the front (2 players), Pod 2 in the middle (3 players), Pod 3 at the tail (2 players). When the lineout ball is won, players stay in pod structure for the first phase carry.
Lineout Defence
Defensive shapes · Competition calls
Think ahead of the game. Scan early — see threats and opportunities, communicate early. Set fast on outside shoulder with equal spacings.
Fast to move — Load Up then Go. Fast for 5m square. Hunt hard from the outside in. Speed is our weapon in defence.
Win the ruck. Hunt hard and win the race to jackal. Attack the space — Fire. Leave & Fold — Ice.
Win the collision. Good tackle selection — 2 in the tackle. W.I.N — What's Important Now.
Defensive lineout shape SVG diagrams load here — Standard and Dynamic Hinge options.
Scrum Principles
Foundations & Timing
Lower Position
100% of our scrums. No exceptions. Dominate the height battle.
Own Ball
Clean strike on 2. Ball in, ball out on our terms.
Defensive Fight
Collective drive on strike through TightHead.
Bind & Lock
Full arm bind. Lock hips. Drive from the legs.
Push straight and hard after engagement to pressure their tighthead. If opposition pushes at an angle, bind tight with the hooker and stop them separating the front row. Maintain correct hip angle and posture when delivering channel 2.
Win the hit — this is your responsibility. Place your head in a favourable position to attack the opposition. If they try to turn the scrum, communicate immediately with props and push straight to stop them. The vertical axe is your reference point.
Most important role — keep the scrum. If opposition tries to get the ball out from channel 1, push their loosehead outward to make their outside foot go backwards. There are many ways to push — push inside, straight — read the situation and apply pressure to their 9's delivery.
Restart Roles
Kick-off attack · Reception formations · Forward responsibilities
Contest and chase hard. Every player must be aggressive off the line.
Left or Right Wing and Back Row are primary contesters. Compete hard if contestable.
Movement off the ball to support the catcher is key — every player has a role before the ball lands.
Full lift or no lift — call is made early. Don't wait until the ball is in the air.
Breakdown Principles
Cleanout accuracy · Support roles · Decision making
Squeeze the ball tight before contact. Never go to ground without full control.
First PriorityPlace the ball back towards your own players. Make life easy for your 9.
Present CleanLower your body height immediately on arrival. Slow arrivals cost possession.
Low and FastSupport players must run a check line — not a straight line to the ball carrier. The check line gives you the ability to take a pass or support at the breakdown.
Take Down: If the ball carrier is going to be tackled, arrive at the breakdown immediately — not reacting, anticipating. The inside gate is the priority. Secure it before thinking about anything else.
Opposition Notes
Weekly scouting · Key threats
Their primary ball carrier and offload threat. Strong over the gainline — forces one-on-one situations and offloads at will. Must be stopped before he gets momentum. Double team early.
Box kicks relentlessly from the base of the scrum and lineout. Accurate under pressure — causes chaos in backfield. Contest every box kick. Apply pressure to his body at every breakdown to slow his service.
Carries hard from the base of the scrum. Dominant at the breakdown — slows our ball when he gets his body over. Must be targeted early. Prevent him from getting to rucks — keep him occupied in the scrum.