Rugby / Reaction / Staying Power The Form Of Teams In The Final 20 Minutes

Staying power. The form of teams in the final 20 minutes

The importance of a good final quarter cannot be underestimated. In the eight autumn Tests of 2008 (excluding Canada and Pacific Islanders games) six have were close after 60 minutes.

2003 Rugby World Cup final scoreboard

 

 

 

  • Wales have the strongest last quarter form of the world's top 10 sides since last year's World Cup, winning 6/7 with an average margin of nine points. Their average supremacy is just under five points in 10 games played, with New Zealand and South Africa close behind them on 3.77 and 3.57 respectively.
  • In 2008 Wales have won 7/7 second halves of matches played in the Northern Hemisphere.
  • England has lost 4/8 (-2.0) final 20s and Scotland 8/9. In all autumn internationals Scotland have lost eight of 12 final quarters, and only won once.
  • England have lost 9/12 final quarters at Twickenham, including 4/5 autumn internationals.
  • In all Tests against higher ranked nations (with a rank of 80+) the Red Rose has lost the final 20 minutes in 14/19, eight of which by 10 points or more.
  • In the 12 Scotland victories under Frank Hadden they were ahead after 60 minutes in 11.
  • Since 2006, Ireland have only lost 2/13 final quarters on home soil.

 

 
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