ABSTRACT
Despite the 2009 rules amendment for advantage to the attacking side (severe limitations on the defensive side in the tackle), the number of try scores per match in the Rugby World Cup has decreased (6.9 tries in 2003, 6.2 tries in 2007 and 5.5 tries in 2011) (IRB, 2011). It is suggested that defensive capabilities have improved. Various performance profiling techniques have been proposed to represent typical performances of individuals and teams (O'Donoghue, 2005; James et al., 2005). Common and individual behaviours would be needed for a more accurate representation of players' contributions to performance (James et al., 2005) to raise evidence relating to defence. The current study focused on defensive turnover situations in the game and applied social network analysis to organizational strategy. Figure 14.1 shows the starting point of tries scored in the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and 2011. The frequency of the tries where possession started between the try line and opposition 10 m line has decreased from 63 per cent of tries at the 2007 World Cup to 54 per cent in 2011. There were 55 per cent of the tries of the New Zealand team, who had the highest number of tries, where possession started in the remainder of the pitch. The team with the second highest number of tries was Wales who scored 58 per cent of their tries from possessions commencing outside the opposition last 10 m. This characteristic might suggest that such tries progressed with high level fitness during the offensive game and also with high level defensive performance as a crucial factor.
