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The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between scores on the attentional subscales of Nideffer's Test of Attentional and Interpersonal Style (TAIS) and playing standard, age, and position played within the sport of rugby. 144 male volunteer rugby players from the Vancouver Island Rugby Union were tested. The sample included 72 above average rugby players and 72 of average playing standard who were further classified by age: 24 under 19 yr. (U.19), 24 under 23 yr. (U.23), and 24 senior. Four specific positional groups were identified within the sample: Tight Five (n= 56), Backrow (n= 24), Halfbacks (n= 20), and Outside Backs (n= 44). A series of two-way multivariate analyses of variance gave no significant differences between the two different playing standards except for age. The senior group differed from both the U.19 and U.23 groups on narrowing. In addition, significant differences were also observed between the Halfbacks and the remaining positional groups (Tight Five, Backrow, and Threequarters) on two of the six measures, they demonstrated greater broad-external focus and less internal overload. It was concluded that the Halfbacks, who are the decision makers within the team, reflected most closely Nideffer's concept of an effective attentional style and the attentional subscales did discriminate minimally between rugby players of different ages and playing position.

The Martens' Sport Competition Anxiety and Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 tests were administered to 22 male university rugby players to assess the relationship between the tests and their effectiveness in predicting game performance. The Sport Competition Anxiety Test was completed early in the season and the State Anxiety Inventory an hour before two games during a tournament. A multiple regression between the Competitive Anxiety Test and the three subscales of the Sport Anxiety Inventory-2 showed a significant relationship between the Competitive Anxiety Test and the single subscale of somatic anxiety. A separate multiple regression with performance as the criterion variable produced no significant findings. A significant correlation was noted between somatic anxiety and performance for those players who performed below their normal ability. The significant increase in self-confidence between games may have been detrimental to the performance of the team.