Comparative characteristics of elite New Zealand and South African u/16 rugby players with reference to gamespecific skills, physical abilities and anthropometric data

Abstract

Objective. A comparative study of elite New Zealand and South
African u/16 rugby players with special reference to game-specific
skills, physical abilities and anthropometric data.

Design and settings. A battery of tests was used to obtain information
concerning a group of elite New Zealand players (N=24)
and two elite South African groups (N=64). Information was obtained
for game-specific skills, physical abilities, and anthropometric
data.

Results. The New Zealand players outperformed the South African
players in game-specific tests, physical abilities, and anthropometric
measurements. Where the South African groups performed
better than the New Zealand group, it was not practically
significant.

Conclusion. South African rugby authorities should be cognisant
of the areas where South African u/16 rugby players were
outperformed by their New Zealand counterparts, and consequently
develop specific development programmes to address
these shortcomings.