Wilbur Kraak

Ruck-Play as Performance Indicator during the 2010 Six Nations Championship

The contest for possession has resulted in ball release delays. Accordingly the International Rugby Board amended the laws surrounding the ruck area in 2009. The study objective was to determine if a relationship exists between the ruck outcomes and ranking of the 2010 Six Nations Championship teams, establish differences between locations, compare the top to the bottom ranked teams and if the number of players involved influences ruck outcome. Fifteen 2010 Six Nations Championship matches were analysed by a performance analyst. Of the 1479 rucks, 92% retained the ball successfully, with no difference between the ruck success rate and team ranking, regardless if teams were attacking (p=0.74) or defending (p=0.95). Generally four players were involved during rucks. The players involved during unsuccessful and successful retention of the ball differed (p=0.03, d=0.21). Attackers involved mostly two players (50%), whereas defenders had typically one player (68%). Attacking teams were particularly successful, in retaining possession, if they had one more attacker involved than the defenders (p<0.05). Most rucks formed in zone B and fewer rucks were formed by top teams. Training programs should adapt to accommodate law changes.

Analysis of the effect of alternating home and away field advantage during the Six Nations Rugby Championship

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of alternating home and away field advantage on selected performance indicators during the Six Nations Rugby Championship (2005-2009). The sample consisted of (n=75) games played over five seasons of the championship were analysed. The following factors were taken into account: the final match result, number of points scored, number of tries scored, number of drop goals, number of conversions, number of passes and number of possessions kicked. The results of the study indicated that: (i) in general, there is a tendency that teams that are playing at home achieve better results, except for the 2005 season (ii) performance indicators of the game showed statistically significant differences; (iii) the results further indicated that 50% or more of the total points scored are when they play at home. In conclusion, the study indicated that there is a tendency in the Six Nation Rugby Championship (2005-2009) teams will obtain favourable results when they play at home.

Match-related statistics discriminating between playing positions during the men’s 2011 Rugby World Cup

The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the match-related statistics for the different playing positions based on the match outcome during the men’s 2011 Rugby World Cup. A total of 48 matches from the men’s 2011 Rugby World Cup were used for the purpose of this study. The performance indicators were divided into two groups based on the principles of play: attack and defence. Univariate (t-test) and multivariate (discriminant) analyses of data were done. The results demonstrated performance indicators that measure positive aspects of performance (kicks executed, tries, try assists, runs executed, kick return runs, metres gained per run, line breaks, and offload) as well as negative aspects (pick up and drives, tackles executed, ineffective tackles and missed tackles) which discriminate the final outcome regarding playing positions. This paper discusses the characteristics of each playing position regarding their game actions and their incidence in the game. The results and evaluations obtained in the present study can serve as a guide or criteria to take into consideration when training as well as in the research field of rugby with regard to game patterns.

The effect of the law changes on time variables of the South African Currie Cup Tournament during 2007 and 2013

In rugby union, several law changes were introduced between 2007 and 2013, yet the impact of these changes have not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the law changes on the time intervals and contact profile of the South African Currie Cup Tournament during the 2007 and 2013 seasons. The frequencies of 15 performance indicators were used for the aim of this study. The time interval profiles revealed that the total match time and total stoppage time increased significantly (p < 0.01), while the total ball in play time decreased significantly (p < 0.01). The individual phase activity also indicated a significant decrease p < 0.01). The contact profile revealed that the total tackle time increased significantly (p < 0.01), while the total ruck/maul-, scrum-and line-out-times decreased significantly (p < 0.01). The study revealed that the profile of the South African game has become more continuous, with total time spent at rucks/mauls and between subsequent rucks decreasing. The findings of this study can assist coaches and trainers with information to re-create match situations during training in order to improve performance during match play.

Analysis of International Rugby Sevens matches during tournaments

The purpose of this study was to analyse the time structures of match and stoppage activities of matches during the Sevens World Series. Sixty matches (n=60) of the first three tournaments of the Sevens World Series 2011 to 2012 were recorded and analysed. The performance indicators used for the purpose of this study was: total match time, ball in play time, stoppage time, number of stoppages and match activities, length of stoppages and different match activities. The duration of a match is 1002.15 ± 136.23s, with a mean of 43.64 ± 29.19s/match activities; 71% of play are activities with efforts less than 51s; 61% of the stoppages activities have a duration less than 51s; quarterfinals (50,90 ± 28.18s/stoppage activity) and finals (50.79 ± 29.95s/stoppage sequence)the length of the stoppage are statically significant (p < 0.01). The common trends were that play activities are longer in the pool matches when compared to play-off stages. The research and analysis of the time structures of matches and the tournaments is an important performance indicator to construct training programs to prepare teams for rugby sevens matches and tournaments.

Comparison of scoring profile and game related statistics of the two finalist during the different stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup

The purpose of this study was compare the scoring profile and game related statistics of the two finalist during the different stages of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The design of the study was descriptive and observational. The video recordings of all games that involved New Zealand and France during RWC 2011 (n=12 matches) were used and analyzed. The data were collected from the official web page of RWC (www.rugbyworldcup2011.com) and from the Rugbystats webpage (http://www.rugbystats.com.au). Results from game related statistics between New Zealand and France in RWC 2011, revealed different measures of performance for both teams. The main findings of the study show that New Zealand points mostly came from tries and France scored their points from penalty kick indicating the difference in approach by the two teams. The study revealed significant differences in performance indicators when comparing New Zealand and France rugby teams.

Analysis of South African semi-elite rugby head coaches’ engagement with performance analysis

ABSTRACT The introduction of performance analysis (PA) in rugby union presented coaches with a range of tools to support and enhance their coaching practices. This study aimed to investigate how PA was used by semi-professional South African rugby union coaches. Specific objectives were: to determine how PA contributed to coaching practices; to assess the extent to which PA was integrated into practice; how PA was valued by coaches and the role of the analyst in the process. A descriptive research design was followed and a questionnaire was used to gather data. Forty-six rugby coaches from provincial (n = 15), university (n = 15) and school (n = 16) levels participated, which constituted a response rate of 57%. The results indicated that, at all levels, most coaches (67%) completed technical PA themselves, although 48% had access to a PA to provide match analysis. Sixty-seven per cent had readily access to video footage, while 22% had infrequent access. Provincial coaches (93%) had more access to video footage compared to other levels (p = 0.004). Sixty-four per cent of the coaches indicated that their selection of key performance indicators is informed by their coaching philosophy. A key finding was that the majority of coaches valued PA and used it frequently in their coaching.

Analysis of the general match profile of international rugby union between 2007 and 2013

Abstract Law amendments are fundamental to the development of rugby and are introduced for a variety of reasons. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the general match profile of international rugby between 2007 and 2013 in order to determine the effect of law changes. The researchers made use of mixed method methodology approach for this study. For the quantitative approach, a total of 248 matches were recorded and analyzed using the Fairplay video analysis software package. For the qualitative approach, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with expert coaches, specialist coaches, players and referees and referee coaches. The results revealed a practical significant decrease in the number of scrums (d = 1.03) line-outs (d = .86), rucks (d = .86), mauls (d = .62) and kicks (d = .46). An increase in the number of passes (d = .43), ball carries (d = 1.22) tackles attempted (d = .65) and penalty kicks (d = .98) between 2007 and 2013 was observed. The interviews revealed that under the current laws, there is an imbalance between attack and defence. The general match profile of international rugby has moved to a game with a decrease in the number of set pieces and kicks to an increase in the number of ball carries and tackles.

Investigation and comparison of lineouts during the 2013 the rugby championship and six-nations competition

Abstract A successful lineout is a key component of team success in international rugby and yet there is limited published research on this topic. Lineouts are seen as a great attacking modality, which occur to restart play after the ball exits the field of play. The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the lineouts during the 2013 The Rugby Championship and Six-Nations Competition. Twenty-seven matches of the 2013 international season were analysed using EncodePro video analysis software. Outcome measures were presented as the mean ± s. Cohen’s d effect sizes were calculated, using the difference in means over the pooled standard deviation, to characterise the differences between the two tournaments. Results indicated the largest difference in formation was the average 5- man lineouts in TRC vs. SNC per match (9.58 ± 3.90 vs. 6.93 ± 3.01) and 7-man (10.42 ± 4.36 vs. 11.60 ± 3.31). The exiting from lineouts yielded some differences in TRC and SNC per match with regard to passing (12.75 ± 4.35 vs. 6.87 ± 2.33) and mauls (5.33 ± 5.53 vs. 6.80 ± 2.81). The study indicated that most lineouts occurred in Zone B with binding formation followed by pass being the most utilised formats. Lineouts should be adapted according to the area of field in which it occurs to ensure greater try-scoring opportunities.

Scoring and general match profile of Super Rugby between 2008 and 2013

Rugby research has focused on a range of performance indicators related to game structures and tactical aspects. The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the effect of law changes on the match profile of Super Rugby between the 2008 and 2013 seasons. For the purpose of this study the researchers made use of mixed-method methodology. A total of 646 Super Rugby matches were recorded and analyzed by means of the Fairplay video analysis software package. Further semi-structured interviews were conducted with expert coaches, specialist coaches, players and referees and referee coaches. Results revealed a significant increase in the number of points scored (p<0.01) and a decrease in the number of tries scored (p<0.01). Results of the study show that the profile of Super Rugby has changed to a more continuous game dynamic with the increase in the number of ball carries (d=1.34), passes (d=0.43), tackle breaks (d=1.59) and line breaks (d=2.40), and has led to an increase in the number of tackles (d=0.63). A decrease in the number of rucks (d=1.73), mauls (d=0.63), scrums (d=0.27) and scrum resets (d=1.36) was found. An increase in penalty kicks (d=2.04) and a decrease in free kicks (d=0.4.53) between 2008 and 2013 were observed. The general match profile of Super Rugby has moved to a game with fewer scrums and kicks and more ball carries and tackles. According to the interviewed experts, good playing surfaces in the Southern Hemisphere allow for an open-game approach by the teams.