Abstract
The 2019 and 2020 Super League (SL) seasons included several competition rule changes. This study aimed to quantify the difference between the 2018, 2019 and 2020 SL seasons for duration, locomotor and event characteristics of matches. Microtechnology and match event data were analysed from 11 SL teams, comprising 124 players, from 416 competitive matches across a three-year data collection period. Due to an enforced suspension of league competition as a consequence of COVID-19 restrictions, and subsequent rule changes upon return to play, season 2020 was divided into season 2020a (i.e. Pre-COVID suspension) and season 2020b (i.e. Post-COVID suspension). Duration, locomotor variables, and match events were analysed per whole-match and ball-in-play (BIP) periods with differences between seasons determined using mixed-effects models. There were significant (ρ ≤ 0.05) reductions in whole-match and BIP durations for adjustables and backs in 2019 when compared to 2018; albeit the magnitude of reduction was less during BIP analyses. Despite reduced duration, adjustables reported an increased average speed suggesting reduced recovery time between bouts. Both forwards and adjustables also experienced an increase in missed tackles between 2018 and 2019 seasons. When comparing 2019 to 2020a, adjustables and backs increased their average speed and distance whilst all positional groups increased average acceleration both for whole-match and BIP analyses. When comparing 2020a to 2020b, all positional groups experienced reduced average speed and average acceleration for both whole-match and BIP analyses. Forwards experienced an increased number of tackles and carries, adjustables experienced an increased number of carries, and backs experienced an increased number of missed tackles when comparing these variables between season 2020a and 2020b. Rule changes have a greater effect on whole-match duration and locomotor characteristics than those reported during BIP periods which suggests the implemented rule changes have removed stagnant time from matches. Amendments to tackle related rules within matches (e.g., introduction of the ‘six-again’ rule) increases the number of collision related events such as carries and tackles.
Highlights
Since the mid-1950s, economists have stressed the importance of the uncertainty-of-outcome in sport and its role in maintaining spectator interest [1,2,3]
The study found that rule changes have a greater effect on whole-match characteristics than those reported when the ball is in play, suggesting the rule changes have removed stagnant time from matches
Despite reduced match duration for adjustables from 2018 to 2019, this study found average speed increased
Summary
Since the mid-1950s, economists have stressed the importance of the uncertainty-of-outcome in sport and its role in maintaining spectator interest [1,2,3]. Continued innovation is at the core its of strategy to raise the profile and appeal of the sport and to attract new audiences An example of this innovation within SL rugby league was the implementation of rule changes prior to the 2019 season which included reducing the number of player interchanges, introduction of the use of a shot-clock (for scrum, dropout or kick-at-goal) and an additional 10 minutes of playing time (referred to as ‘Golden Point’) in the event of a tied score upon fulltime. Implementation of these rules aligned the SL rugby league competition with the Australasian National Rugby League (NRL) which is the premier rugby league competition within the southern hemisphere. Further rule changes were implemented moving from the 2019 to 2020 season which included a reduction in shot-clock accompanied by the assertion that “the pace of rugby league will increase even further in 2020” [11]
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