Performance indicators and success factors of the South African men's rugby sevens team during the 2017/2018 World Rugby Sevens Series

Date
2020-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Rugby sevens consists of a complex interaction of various actions and events. For trainers to distinguish between events that are more likely to lead to a successful match outcome is a difficult task. Success factors are Performance Indicators (PIs) that were significantly prominent during matches won when compared to matches lost and most likely contributed to a successful match outcome. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the PIs that significantly related to successful match outcome during the 2017/2018 World Rugby Sevens Series of the Blitsboks. Methods: Broadcasted video footage of 59 matches played by the South African men’s rugby sevens team during the 2017/2018 World Rugby Sevens Series were analysed using rugby video analysing software (Stratus V3.6.3, Mobii, South Africa). Matches were divided into two categories; matches won versus matches lost. One-way ANOVA was used to test for significant differences in PIs between the groups. Results: Success factors were displayed for the higher number of successful tackles made (p = 0.03) and fewer tackles missed (p = <0.01) as well as a higher number of restart kicks (p <0.01) during matches won. Success factors for the breakdown included more turnovers won (p = 0.05), fewer rucks retained by infringement (p = 0.04), more defensive breakdowns formed (p < 0.01) as well as committing one player to defensive breakdowns (p = 0.02). During matches won, significantly fewer breakdowns were formed in zone B and zone D. Conclusion: During the 2017/2018 World Rugby Sevens Series, it was shown the most successful team relied on a strong effective tackling ability. To attack successfully, teams need to seek turnovers by optimally committing players to the contest without sacrificing defence, adopt aggressive risk-reward tactics and play in the correct areas of the field (zone A and zone C) to be in control of the territory.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Agtergrond: Sewesrugby bestaan uit 'n komplekse wisselwerking tussen verskeie aksies en gebeure. Gevolglik is dit vir afrigters moeilik om te onderskei watter aksies aanleiding gee tot 'n suksesvolle wedstryduitkoms. Suksesfaktore is die prestasie-aanwysers wat beduidend verskillend was tydens wedstryde wat gewen is teenoor wedstryde wat verloor is en waarskynlik bygedra het tot die suksesvolle wedstryduitkoms. Doel: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die prestasie-aanwysers te bepaal wat ‘n beduidende verwantskap gehad het met ‘n suksesvolle wedstryduitkoms tydens die Blitsbokke se deelname in die 2017/2018 Wêreldrugbysewesreeks. Metodes: Met behulp van rugbyvideo-ontledingssagteware (Stratus V 3.6.3, Mobii, SuidAfrika) is uitsendings se videobeeldmateriaal van 59 wedstryde wat deur die SuidAfrikaanse rugbysewesspan gespeel is tydens die 2017/2018 Wêreldrugbysewesreeks geanaliseer. Wedstryde is in twee kategorieë verdeel, naamlik wedstryde wat gewen is en wedstryde wat verloor is. Eenrigting ANOVA is gebruik om te toets vir beduidende verskille in prestasie-aanwysers tussen die twee groepe. Resultate: Suksesfaktore is vertoon vir ’n hoër aantal suksesvolle duikslae (p = 0.03) en vir minder verbeurde duikslae (p = <0.01) sowel as vir 'n hoër aantal afskoppe (p = 0.05) tydens suksesvolle wedstryde. Suksesfaktore vir die afbreekpunt tydens suksesvolle wedstryde sluit in dat meer omgekeerde besit gewen is (p = 0.05), minder losskrums behou is deur oortredings van die opponente (p = 0.04), meer verdedigende afbreekpunte gevorm is (p < 0.01) en dat een speler tydens ’n verdedigende afbreekpunt afgestaan is (p = 0.02). Tydens suksesvolle wedstryde was dit beduidend dat minder afbreekpunte in sone B en sone D plaasgevind het. Gevolgtrekking: Gedurende die 2017/2018 Wêreldrugbysewesreeks is bevind dat die suksesvolste span staatgemaak het op ‘n sterk effektiewe verdedegingsisteem. Ten einde suksesvol te wees, moet spanne omgekeerde besit identifiseer deur optimaal spelers aan die afbreekpunt af te staan, maar nie ten koste van die verdediging nie. Die gebruik van aggressief risiko-beloonde speltaktiek in die korrekte areas van die veld (sone A en sone C) om gebiedsvoordeel optimaal te benut kan ook tot voordeel wees vir spanne met ’n sterk verdedigings sisteem.
Description
Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
Keywords
Rugby sevens (Game), Rugby football -- Coaching, Rugby football -- Psychological aspects, Success, World Rugby Sevens Series, Professional sports -- Coaching, UCTD
Citation