Statisticians have hailed the All Blacks as the most adventurous team at a Rugby World Cup which rewarded attacking play.
World Rugby has unveiled its game analysis report from this year’s tournament which culminated in New Zealand defending their title by beating Australia in the final.
Off the field it was the best attended, most viewed, most socially engaged and the most competitive of all Rugby World Cups, the report said.
On the field, two key trends emerged.
The average winning margin across the 48 games was lower than any previous tournament, suggesting increased competitiveness of lower ranked teams.
And scoring tries is back in fashion, with a tournament-record average of five per game registered in the knockout stages – traditionally a domain for dour clashes.
There were five tries in the final when the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 34-17 at Twickenham.
New Zealand’s 39 tries led the tournament.
Their ability to score from lineouts was far greater than any team, the report said, along with tries which originated from inside their own half.
Other leading categories for the All Blacks was the best ruck retention rate and a near-infallible scrum retention rate.
World Rugby highlighted other areas which it says shows rugby has become a superior spectacle, comparing it with the 1995 tournament just before rugby became professional.
* Time the ball is in play has increased by 26 per cent to 44 per cent per match.
* Passes in a game have increased from 201 to 282 while rucks have increased from 94 to 178.
* Kicks have decreased from 59 to 39 per match and scrums have more than halved from 23 to 13.
Iaian
Guest
I dont think we will ever see South Africa lift another RWC, from reports I am hearing of enforced quotas based on forcing players of colour to step into the national team, cherry picking them ahead of others who deserve selection. What will be interesting is how the governing body views the decay of the game in South Africa based on Racism. From what I understand the the Boks supporters really do not care what colour their playes are, aka Bryan Habana, The Beast, JP Peterson etc, as long as you are good enough to step up and make a valued contribution. Politics messing with Sport is an ugly thing and got South Africa banned once before...
Targa
Guest
I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina win in 2019. That is a very good and very young team. With Super rugby and continued Rugby Championship experience there is a very good chance.
Taylorman
Guest
Well they got more money from it than anyone else...
Not Bothered
Guest
Even if you are English?
Not Bothered
Guest
It doesnt. Although its quite common for people to say "That England vs South Africa game was so boring, all they did is kick. The All Blacks vs Australia game was much better." The when you look up the stats there was far more kicking in the NZ vs Aus game. This happens a lot. I like a smart, well executed game where both teams are playing well, countering and try a variety of tactics. However I have noticed that a lot, probably most, just like a lot of tries. Ive watched games before where Ive thought the ABs havnt played that well and its dubbed 'the best game ever played' based purely on the amount of tries and the amount of times the lead changed hands. It worries me that we will try to streamline the game so there will be a try fest every game and remove the variety of playing styles and tactics from the game and end up with a bunch of teams that all act the same, all look the same and you can predict whats going to happen in each and every game.
Not Bothered
Guest
No, it isnt.
Not Bothered
Guest
I wouldnt count out another team winning the WC in 2019. And 4 different teams winning 8 events shows that it is competetive, not that it isnt. Football is the biggest WC on on the planet, the game is played by the most countries at a high level, the nature of the game and its scoring system often allows smaller nations to compete with larger nations and still they produce very little variety in WC winners. So Fred, you have no point at all.
Owen McCaffrey
Roar Guru
Successful World Cup by almost every measure.
gbrizzy
Guest
A successful. World Cup
vic rugby
Guest
Your name is scrum junkie and you dont like scrums?
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
and what...?
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Yes the first 8 soccer world cups had 5 winners compared to rugby world cups 4. In the 12 soccer world cups since the first 8 there have been only 3 new wiinners. So in 20 soccer world cups only 8 teams have ever won it.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
And France could have easily been a winner as well.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ah yes yes... the RWC 2015 was a successful but total black out!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
The success of teams for the future will I believe will be confined by those whose coaches can see and understand the 'modern game'. The RWC in fact has really only had a short pedigree, 28 years but I think it is fair to suggest that it has been accepted on the menu of world sports. Rio, though 7's are a different game, is likely attract more interest and maybe convert a few more to play/watch.
mania
Guest
wow your a ray sunshine. rugby the game is in great shape at the mo. cheer up its only a game
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Can't belive the number of kicks or scrums makes a good game... We have lost our way and this game may end up in the toilet.
stash
Roar Pro
There is a Chokers Tag sitting in the storeroom of the NZRFU gathering dust. It's likely not going to see the light of day for the next 25 years (unless someone wins a back to back World Cup before that). France can have that if they want....
cuw
Guest
true but the expansion of footy from 16 to 32 has happened over like 55 years (afrter wwii). however that expansion has not meant the winner has also expanded to outside the powers. yes, there have been surprises at footy world cup , the most recent being the hammering germany dealty to brazil but there is little to suggest the expansion of the event has enhanced the chance of new winners every time.
Bakkies
Guest
In regards to Rugby France has made three Finals yet to win one. The Dutch would be the Football equivalent. I think when Uruguay won the first FIFA World Cup very few teams competed. Rugby has always been 16 then to 20 teams.