A Retrospective analysis of the IRB statistics and video analysis of match play to explain the performance of four teams in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The article reports on a study that examined the performances of four teams in the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup. The video recordings of the games between the teams from England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were studied. The performance variables studied were penalty kicks, drop goals and percentage possession. Winning performances are associated with ball possession, points scored in the second half and the opponents' propensity to lose possession in crucial areas of the field.