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This study examined the relationship between team performance indicators and five characteristics of team success (final log position, league points, points difference, points scored and points conceded) over a full season in four major rugby union competitions. Number of tries scored was the most significant (p <.0001) predictor of all five team success characteristics. Univariate analysis also identified stolen line-outs, tackles completed percentage, line breaks, tackle breaks, turnovers won, and total mauls as significant predictors of team success. Multiple regression analysis of performance indicators for team success suggested that team success is multifactorial, and selected performance indicators constitute independent aspects for winning the game. Different sets of performance indicators selected for points scored versus points conceded suggested performance indicators that are significantly associated with offensive and defensive capabilities, respectively. The most important indicators of defensive performance are line-outs stolen and percentage of tackles completed, while line breaks are the most important indicator of offensive performance. Improving offensive capability must be focused on achieving line and tackle breaks. Conversely, to improve defensive performance, the focus must be on stealing opposition line-outs and effective tackling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies on differences in level of competition in rugby focused on physiological and psychological components, yet little research is available on comparing performance indicators between different levels of play. This study attempted to compare performance indicators of Currie Cup and Super Rugby, and to differentiate between the winning and losing teams of both competitions. A total of 30 games played during the 2014 Super Rugby competition and 30 games played during the 2014 Currie Cup were observed. The numbers of most match activities were similar for two competitions, with the average numbers of lineouts, scrums, rucks, tackles and penalties differing by 3% or less between competitions. Statistically and practically significant differences between competitions were for mauls and missed tackles. The average of 6.4 mauls in Super Rugby was significantly lower than the average of 9.6 in the Currie Cup, with a rate ratio of 0.69, implying a difference in the average number of mauls of about 30%. Similarly, the average number of missed tackles was about 20% lower in the Super Rugby competition compared to the Currie Cup. Average numbers of activities were also generally similar for winning and losing teams in the two competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rugby shows proof of evolution within the professional era due to large contributions from technology and improved training. Evidence of evolution can be traced through statistics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare match activities over five seasons (2011–2015) of Super Rugby matches played, and to investigate performance indicators that allow discrimination between winning and losing teams. Data from 30 matches per season (4 matches from each of the 15 participating teams) were captured and supplied by the Cheetahs Super Rugby Franchise (Bloemfontein, South Africa), using the Verusco TryMaker Pro. Differences in mean rates were found between seasons and between winning and losing teams. Losing teams showed an increase in rucks and mauls, lost more scrums and missed more tackles. Playing time, scrums lost and penalties decreased from 2011 to 2015, while scrums (1.76%), rucks (0.80%), mauls (4.42%) and tackles (1.07%) showed a slight increase. Significant differences were found for line-outs (mean of 3.5% per year; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–6.5%;p = 0.0156) and tackles missed (5.7%; 95% CI 3.0–8.4%;p= <0.001). The findings agree with previous research, that most changes can be contributed to the physiological improvement of players and the increased emphasis on perfecting set phases. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]