We’ve been in the sports game longer than we care to remember. Whether as players, coaches or managers, as a group we been and done it all. We’ve also seen a lot as well. While at the rep level we were exposed to a lot of the match analysis that has been around, and still is. All good systems but didn’t really met our needs. For the players they were more interested in using the analysis/clips to show their agent, (more likely their mom).
Early last year, for radio coverage of rugby, we had a chance to create our own system. So the game drove the analysis. Each week we built things that people wanted, adding to the standard tables you will see typically by news outlets. We also wanted to back up what you knew was happening on the field with a bit of analysis. The best way to do that is with some charts. However we wanted to go further and created a few things that no-one has seen before and not thinking of doing (if they had it would already be out there). And because we can, we also provide the probability on a few things as well, like a kick going over. Of course it just the probability and it doesn’t guarantee the ball will go over; and if people understood statistics/probability, then Las Vegas would still be a cross road in the desert!
We have a lot more things in the pipeline. This year we will be introducing a pressure and momentum scale. Basically it converts what is happening on the field into a number. The higher the number the more pressure and momentum. Whether that translates in points is up to the players, and the bounce of the ball. That why rugby is the game played in heaven.
What we don’t do is statistic stats. So you won’t find how many games team X won three years ago and how many caps each player has. There are a number of websites that already do this so no need to repeat what already out there.
We know that if we have cracked it then other will copy our tables. Still they will try. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Note the copyright, (if you have paid for it great, if not you know how many lawyers there are in rugby, and we have been around a lot).
Join us, get the information live. Let it back up what you know is happening on the field, and maybe a few things you didn’t. If you do, then under your breath utter the words rucking good stat.