Match Demands Of Senior And Junior Players During International Rugby League

Dempsey GM, Gibson NV, Sykes D, Pryjmachuk B, Turner APT

Aim: This study aims to quantify and compare the positional game demands of international junior and senior rugby league competition for the first time.

Methods: Global Positioning System (GPS) and video analysis were used to track 118 elite male rugby league players (57 seniors aged 28.7 ± 4.4 y; 61 juniors aged 17.2 ± .5 y) over 10 international matches (6 senior; 4 junior) characterized as either forwards (n = 67) or backs (n = 51).

Results: Significant increases were found in offensive carries (0.18 cf. 0.09 n.min⁻¹; r = .56) and defensive tackles (0.36 cf. 0.23 n.min⁻¹; r = .3) between senior and junior players, as well as forwards and backs (0.16 cf. 0.09; r = .34 and 0.41 cf. 0.14; r = .52) respectively. Running demands were significantly greater in backs than forwards (independent of playing level) for total distance (6962 ± 1263 m cf. 4879 ± 1824 m; r = .55), individualized high-speed distances (310 ± 158 m cf. 250 ± 171 m; r = .2), high-intensity accelerations (28.7 ± 12.1 m·s⁻¹ cf. 21.9 ± 11.7 m·s⁻¹; r = .27), and decelerations (57.2 ± 18.3 m·s⁻¹ cf. 43.0 ± 17.8 m·s⁻¹; r = .38). Positional differences were eliminated when reported relative to minutes played.

Conclusion: Running demands relative to time on the pitch may prepare junior players for senior competition, but it may not represent the increased body mass and contact frequency within the senior game. Coaches should consider these differences in their physical preparation programs to adequately prepare junior athletes for progression to the senior level.