Differences in game statistics between winning and losing rugby teams in the Six Nations Tournament

The objective of the present study was to analyze the differencesin rugby game statistics between winning and losing teams. thedata from 58 games of round robin play from the six nationstournament from the 2003-2006 seasons were analyzed. thegroups of variables studied were: number of points scored, wayin which the points were scored; way teams obtained the balland how the team used it; and technical and tactical aspects ofthe game. a univariate (t-test) and multivariate (discriminant)analysis of data was done. winning teams had average valuesthat were significantly higher in points scored, conversions,successful drops, mauls won, line breaks, possessions kicked,tackles completed, and turnovers won. losing teams had significantlyhigher averages for the variables scrums lost and line-outslost. the results showed that: a) in the phases of obtaining theball and more specifically in scrummage and line-out, winningteams lose fewer balls than losing teams (winning teams have anefficacy of 90% in both actions); b) the winning team tends toplay more with their feet when they obtain the ball, to utilize themaul as a way of attacking, and to break the defensive line moreoften than the losing team does; and c) on defence, winningteams recovered more balls and completed more tackles thanlosing teams, and the percentage of tackles completed by winningteams was 94%. the value presented could be used as areference for practice and competition in peak performanceteams.