AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE LINEOUT PROCESS USED BY TEAMS AT THE 2011 RUGBY WORLD CUP

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse and investigate the lineout procedure between the top two and bottom two teams of each pool during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The main objective was to highlight any similarities between the top and bottom teams in world rugby and then asking a further question does a successful lineout lead to a winning team. A hand notation template was developed on Microsoft Office Excel 2010 with the data being collected using this notation system. The template was then tested for reliability using KAPPA, results from the test illustrated that the system was reliable. This study analysed a total of 16 Rugby Union teams, each playing 4 games each during the Rugby World Cup 2011 pool stages. The results gathered from the study were analysed and presented into graphs and pie charts using Microsoft Office Excel 2010. The top two and bottom two teams of each pool were analysed together along with teams individually being analysed, this allowed for comparative analysis to be carried out. The performance indicators selected for this study were: Area of pitch, time, score, lineout won or lost, lineout line-up at the start, lineout line-up at the end, lifters, jumpers, zone thrown too, delivery type, was the gain line crossed, was quick ball produced and the use of possession. The results gathered from this study illustrate that the performance indicators chosen for this study has an impact on the lineout being successful and that a successful lineout has an effect on winning and losing within Rugby Union. During the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup 2011 the top two teams had the highest percentage of game success with 84% success, whilst the bottom two teams of each pool had an 84% losing rate. This can be related to the lineout success rates of both the top two and bottom two teams, the top two teams had an average of 86% and the bottom two teams had an average lineout success of 75%. Many similarities and differences arose throughout this study, the top two teams tended to lose more lineouts to the team at the bottom of the table than anybody else, also the teams at the bottom of the pool tended to lose more lineouts to the pool winners. Also, the bottom two teams of each pool lost more lineouts in the opening and closing quarter of each game than the top two teams.