Tuskers’ tussle with the Lion King

Trinity College

Royal College 

Precursor

In spite of tides drifting either way, with Trinity managing to win a few legs, or force a draw during the past decade, Fazil Marija was the man finally responsible for bringing the thrill of the Bradby back to life after several years with the element of surprise, but more importantly; tactical planning.

 Since both sides of yesteryear were almost equal in their skills and the will to succeed, it merrily came down to who led when the clock struck, both times. Both games were so close, that you cannot really put one team on the Pedestal for winning, and the other under the Heel for losing, as both teams played to the best of their ability, making it a dual intense contest and the perfect Rugby event to end the season. In any sporting event, only one team can win while the other loses, hence ridiculing the team that came up marginally short in social media doesn’t portray a mature sense in sports, unless the team in question played poorly, or stupidly, like how it could often happen in any schoolboy sport. Although Royal College was guilty in this aspect in some of their League games in 2024, they steadied the ship for the Bradby. However, one crucial aspect to note is that you cannot change one’s behaviour suddenly, just for one game or two, as whatever ploys, tactics that were internalised during the training sessions throughout the season becomes second nature.

 There existed a certain pattern of Royal, that Trinity tactically targeted to win both legs. The pattern was none other than, when and where Royal conceded their penalties in their games prior to the Bradby, which they so religiously and naively continued into both legs of the Bradby, against a modest 8 penalty average of Trinity. This, in conjunction with perfectly practiced long-distance place kicks, and the intermittent Drop Goals that were cleverly executed to bridge the gaps, became the deciding factors of the last Bradby. There was absolutely nothing more to it, as both teams performed equally well, except for Royal conceding at least 6 penalties in their half as a continuous practice.

Bradby #79

Trinity is expected to follow the same philosophy in this Bradby as well, along with some new innovations, but the Royal Camp seems to have realised this, although they are still unable to help themselves in the aspect of game discipline. Trinity will consciously focus on minimising its offenses in its own half, while taking as many penalty shots at Goal, as their opponents haven’t yet gotten a grip on their discipline, although they are desperately trying to do so. Trinity has hardened their defences so much that they are quite confident in relying on Royal’s sins to climb the points ladder, while the latter has other better laid plans.

Leo’s Leverage

Trinity has adopted the old-school philosophy this season which represents, doing something so well, that even carefully planned counter tactics would be useless, and this is exactly why they have rarely concealed their skills, but displayed them in abundance all season. Folks may argue that teams could be defeated using previous game footage, by meticulously designing techniques to counter them. Nevertheless, when Waqar Younis bowled his deadly spells in Test Matches, once the Ball had been bowled for over 50-55 Overs, the Batsmen always knew exactly what was coming their way. They knew very well about the various arcs of the reverse swinging Yorkers that Waqar bowls, and the speeds at which they zip at them, and they also realised exactly where those Toe crushers have clearance to land; but yet, the all-rounders could dig only some of them out, while the tail enders fall prey like sitting Ducks. Coming back to an example from schools’ rugby, St. Peter’s College did wonders with their three quarters during the past two seasons, where they were virtually unstoppable on dry surfaces, despite video footage being freely available to watch their every evasive move.

 The number of Trinity’s proven key skills that can be listed down are almost limitless, when considering the astounding number of upgrades of their arsenal since last season. In a nutshell for the benefit of new readers, Trinity is capable of attacking by using any means, while they are also capable of defending any form of attack reasonably well, even under trying conditions, and therefore Royal might find scoring Tries quite obnoxious. Trinity is capable of taking on Royal’s Forwards with confidence, while attacking with and defending Mauls, Pick ‘n Drives, and the set pieces, regardless of the Tuskers’ beaming Brawns, as the Lions have already tamed the mightier King Kong, and hurled him down the precipice.

Tuskers’ Trials Terminated

What we have seen so far is one half of the Iceberg of Royal Rugby’s 2025 edition, as they sternly believe that even perfectly executed skills can be defeated by reviewing video footage. This was true for them on just one occasion in recent times, but it is sad that they have become the living illustration of the old saying “once bitten, twice shy”. For the clarification of our young readers, this happened almost 10 years ago, when the Royal Rolling Maul was absolutely undefendable, just as Waqar’s incoming Yorkers were, as they cruised to many-a-wins in 2016, until they were totally derailed by Isipathana at the Knockout Final, humiliating them to a 12-47 loss. Since the Rolling Maul was working so well for them that year, it naturally became their primary weapon of mass destruction, and the extra Tries came from other moves that rendered oppositions helpless. However, Isipathana College coached by Nilfer Ibrahim came up with a tactic to completely cripple Royal’s Mauls, that they were totally stunned and utterly demoralised by the fact that even their auxiliary Tries failed to come by on that D-Day. Yet, just because Pathana was able to accomplish this successfully, there was no assurance that the other sides could do it as well, but regrettably the Tuskers’ Camp thought otherwise.

 Hopping back onto the Iceberg and trying to envisage what’s underneath, loads of curated drills specific to game situations, and customised skills to invoke the kill-switch, have been practiced inside closed doors, but not all of them would be revealed on the first leg itself. Since the first leg is played at foreign territory, a good number of surprises could be expected to be unwrapped in order to stun the hosts, and put them at their back Loins, so that the away-leg could be secured. Royal’s true Backline game with its ensemble of gimmicks has also been in hiding, and would be revealed from this leg onwards. Although not provocatively revealed as many other hidden skills, the Tuskers possess the perfect, sophisticated tool to be used against Trinity’s pristine fringe defence, which the writer shall leave to the R&D (replay and discovery) of the relevant coaching unit, but the patrons can be assured that Royal would breach Trinity’s fringes, especially at the goal line, once they manage to transport themselves beyond the 5m line. It is also quite apparent that Royal would be back with their deadly Maul onslaughts for this Bradby, but it is highly possible for it to be held back until the second leg, as one of their pivotal trump cards.

The Stats

Royal’s stats can be deceiving, since they have been thoroughly underplaying throughout the first round, although they raised their standards just enough to face the big guns in round 2 of the League. Nevertheless, stats from the last 4 games are presented below for comparison, although we cannot affirm strengths or weaknesses for some of them.

The above are solid basic stats that are likely to continue into the future games as well, and can be considered at their absolute values. While the unforced handling errors that include knock forwards and forward passes are comparable, Trinity has recorded stumbles and fumbles under severe pressure that are depicted in forced knock forwards and passing errors. While hooking seems to be one of the stronger traits of both teams, the lost lineouts were due to either throwing accurately into the oppositions’ hands, or missing their own Jumpers’ targets that resulted in knock forwards.

 While Trinity has shown superiority in defensive skills at the set pieces, Royal has been passive all this time, which doesn’t necessarily mean that they do not possess those skills, but the first leg would reveal if they do or not. The lineout turnovers above include only turnovers gained by contesting neutral throws, and does not include the ones thrown directly towards the defending team.

While most of the kicking abilities are very much similar, Trinity excels in gaining massive real estate via touch finders during open play, that is fittingly complemented by their numerous turnover abilities combined with Ball stealing skills, to regain possession inside the opposition’s grid. The above kicking stats remain legit and you are able to take it to the Bank.

It is quite hard to abruptly alter the general discipline for an important fixture, as the true inherent nature always comes out under pressure, not only in rugby, but in real life as well. Therefore, these can be considered absolute values as well, where penalty and free kick offenses are comparable, while serious Card offenses are not in Royal’s favour. Trinity could expect their rivals to play with 14 players during 20 minutes of the game, which would give them an added tactical advantage to plan their attacks to precision.

As stated earlier, Royal’s redefined Pick and Drives are now more lethal than ever, and would be efficiently used to drill through the otherwise effective Trinity defence. Their only Maul Try against Pathana proves that they had it under lock and key all season. However, since the Lions are well-versed in defending Maul offensives, it should turn out to be a gripping grapple to be witnessed with popped Corn in-hand. Their Backline has shown only brief glimpses of the Iceberg tips from time to time, which shall be up for the dramatic disclosure come Saturday the 23rd of August. It would certainly involve some moves to open spaces at the Lions’ Gates, and some others to capitalise on emerging overlaps. Since Trinity's drift defence is quite fluid, can the Royal Backline rush to the line of prestige before the overlap closes, is another contest to be witnessed at Pallekele.

 (The analyst can be reached at: [email protected])

Pix courtesy thepapare.com