JEFF PROBYN
A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME

I read an article this week about how the game has changed over the years and how that can be illustrated by statistics. The author used statistics as an example from the World Cups, by pointing out things like the reduction in scrums and lineouts from around 70 to around 39 per game.
The average number of tackles has increased from 48 per team to 84, and rucks have risen from 25 to 65 – far higher than in the amateur days which has increased risk.
One of the biggest changes to be highlighted is the ‘ball in play time’ whic...