Team performance indicators as predictors of final log position and team success in Aviva Premiership, Guinness Pro 14, French Top 14 and Super Rugby

Analysing match-related performance indicators in Super Rugby Competitions: A study of the 2017–2019 seasons

“…Studies have shown that teams with a higher number of tries are more likely to win matches, emphasizing the importance of effective attacking strategies and sustained attacking superiority. 4,12 A key finding of this study by Coughlan et al 16 was that the most frequent try-scoring playing pattern found from the cluster analysis was a lineout followed by a maul this trend is evident in modern rugby. The success or failure of an attacking team to break through the defensive line of their opposition in rugby union will to a great extent determine the outcome of a rugby match because this is how a try is scored.…”

“…18 As expected from previous research the number of tries scored per game over the three seasons was significantly higher in winning teams than losing teams and is always considered a critical PI to winning and losing in Super Rugby. 4,12…”

“…Line breaks stand out as another important PI that significantly distinguishes between winning and losing teams. 4,12 Line breaks indicate superior attacking skills, the ability to exploit defensive gaps and astute decision-making. 12,17 Through precise running lines, intelligent positioning, and well-timed acceleration, teams penetrate the opposition's defensive line, creating scoring opportunities.…”

“…Analysing and comparing winning and losing teams in rugby is crucial for uncovering the factors that contribute to success or failure on the field. 4 This analysis goes beyond superficial observations and provides in-depth insights that enable coaches to devise effective strategies, evaluate player performance accurately, and set benchmarks for continuous improvement. 5,6 Such analysis helps identify performance indicators (PIs) that differentiate between winning and losing teams, enabling coaches to develop tailored strategies, evaluate player effectiveness, and drive overall performance improvement.…”

Variables associated with the performance of a male European professional rugby team. Analysis of the regular season

“…The efficiency of these game phases proves to be a critical factor in the effectiveness of possessions and the ability to score points (Ungureanu et al, 2019). Higher ruck speed and fewer player involvement allow the attacking team to play at a higher speed with more attacking options in open play (Kraak & Welman, 2014;Schoeman & Schall, 2019). In terms of the number of rucks, Bunker & Spencer (2020), Vaz et al (2011 observed that winning teams generated fewer rucks than losing teams, with the former having an average of fewer than 78 phases per game.…”