The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in rugby game statistics between winning and losing teams. A global analysis of data was done to prevent or to compensate for an influence by play style, home/away, etc. Although this aspect may be considered a limitation by different authors (Jones et al., 2004; 2008), this type of study can give general values that help to understand and analyse rugby and to help to design training sessions. The data obtained in this study is different from the data obtained in case-studies as these authors proposed. The results from the present study indicate that winning teams scored more than twice the amount of points that losing teams score. Winning teams scored more points from all possible ways to score. They scored more points for tries, for conversions, for penalty goals, and for drops. The results also indicate that winning teams carried out more penalty goal attempts and drops than losing teams. Specifically, from these results, it can be inferred that winning teams are stronger in offence than losing teams. With regard to number of tries that the winners scored, the present study coincides with the reports published by the IRB (International Rugby Board). Specifically, 70% of winning teams scored more tries than losing teams (IRB, 2005; 2006; 2007). Concerning the phases of successful ball acquisition (scrum and line-out), there were no differences between winning and losing teams. These results differ from those found by Hughes and White, 2001 and Jones et al., 2004, which found positive results for line-outs in favor of the winners. However, upon analyzing the unsuccessful scrums and line-outs, the results from the present study demonstrate that winning teams lost fewer balls in this phase of play than losing teams. These results seem to indicate that losing balls in these phases of play negatively influenced the final result of the game. They also found higher values of turnovers won by winners. However, future studies are necessary to determine what kind of line-out or scrummage is most effective for getting or recuperating the ball. Winning teams also won significantly more mauls. These values seem to recommend the use, or greater use, of this formation as a way of utilizing the ball once it is obtained. Nonetheless, more research to determine which would be the most efficient way of advancing the ball is suggested. The results do not demonstrate differences in the ways the ball can be played after rucks, whether it be passing or driving. This seems to indicate that in high-level rugby ball-in-hand in penetration and spread ball-in-hand are equally successful phases of play. Along these lines, Stanhope and Hughes (1997) indicated that winning teams in the World Cup 1991 had better performance in rucks than losing teams. Regarding the different forms of play that can be utilized in rugby, the results of this study demonstrate that winning teams had a higher number of kicked possessions and kicks to touch. This indicates that the foot game was used more by winning teams. However, from these results, it cannot be determined whether one form of play is more successful than another. More research is necessary to determine which form of play is more beneficial or provides more technical and tactical game advantages. Of the few defensive variables collected in the official statistics, it was seen that winning teams have higher tackle completion and more turnovers won. These results seem to indicate that winning teams demonstrated higher performance in defence. When analyzing the results overall, the univariate analysis (Table 2) showed that there are ten variables with statistically significant differences (tries, conversions, penalty goals, scrums lost, line-outs lost, mauls won, line breaks, possessions kicked, tackle completion, and turnovers won). On the other hand, when applying a multivariate analysis (Table 3), the number of statistically significant variables was reduced to two (tries, and conversions). These results indicate that the type of statistical analysis will determine some results. It should be the goals of the study which determine the type of analysis that is most adequate. In the articles reviewed for the present study about rugby, all studies used univariate statistics in their analysis. In the present study, the multivariate analysis indicated some obvious results: the team that obtained more tries, and conversions won the game. These results can be directly extracted from the game regulations. The univariate analysis demonstrates where the differences in the form of play are, and although with lesser weight mathematically-speaking, they can better help to guide the process of training. The combination of both analyses allows for a more complete analysis of the variables studied. Nonetheless, it must be kept in mind that the differences with regard to mathematical probability are only one part of the analysis of the results. Therefore, the values found in the analysis of play, whether or not they are significant, can serve as a reference for coaches to guide their training sessions (for example, efficacy in the practice of drops that they should demand from the players during training sessions). |