Fake Maul, Real Try

Starting position

A five-metre lineout, and a maul that never happens. The reds win the ball, the maul starts to form, and the blues commit expecting a drive. That is when the hooker — the man who has just thrown — comes round fast to collect at the front. The ball is relayed in front of the maul to the 10, whose slightly angled run fixes two defenders. The winger arrives at full speed on his inside shoulder, takes the hole and goes under the posts. It is all timing: sell the maul just long enough for the defence to set, then play in front of it, where nobody is left.