The development and competitive level reached by the rugby game has been demanding performance levels to reach a higher standard. In this sense, the acting of the team in training or competition situation should be analyzed in detail. The aim of the present study was identifying the variables of actions of the game and result that best discriminate between winning and losing teams in close games for Super12 group. The sample was constituted for 95 rugby games belong to Super12 Tournament. The variables that were analyzed were subdivided in variables of actions of the game (e.g. passes, penalties conceded, turnovers) and result variables (e.g. trys, conversions, penalty kicks). The statistical procedures were: 1) initial explore analysis; 2) cluster analysis; and 3) discriminant analysis, allowed to associate games to each other, have been defined by us as grouping criterion the difference in the game final score. The results allowed to find that the largest contribution for the close game final score occurred of the trys scored (2.9 ± 1.4). The winners in close games had more tackles made (112.7 ± 33.1), they made fewer mistakes in the use of the ball (11.7 ± 4.3) and they varied more their hand game (11.4 ± 4.3) and kick game (15.7 ± 4.9). Understanding the reasons that contribute to the success or failure of the teams in close games, helps make the training more specific and contribute decisively to the improvement of sports performance.
Rugby; Game analysis; Discriminant analysis
