Multivariate differences between elite youth and senior rugby league competitions were identified. Specifically, NRL game-play was classified by a greater number of 'all runs', and 'tackles' and a lower number of 'missed tackles' relative to the U20 competition. Given the national U20 competition is purported to assist with the development of prospective NRL players, junior coaches may consider training interventions that primarily aid the tackling capacities of players. This may subsequently assist with talent development and player progression in Australian rugby league.

This study compared the physical, anthropometric and athletic movement qualities of talent identified rugby league (RL) players within a development pathway. From a total of 174 players, three developmental levels were defined: under 18 (U18; n = 52), under 20 (U20; n = 53), and state league (SL; n = 69). All players performed a test battery that consisted of five physical assessments, two anthropometric measurements and an athletic movement assessment. A multivariate analysis of variance modelled the main effect of developmental level (Three levels: U18, U20 and SL) on test criterion variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were then built for the criterion variables that showed a significant developmental level effect. A significant effect was noted (V = 0.775, F = 5.43, P <0.05), with the SL players outperforming their U18 and U20 counterparts for measures of body mass, peak and average lower limb power, double lunge (left side), single leg Romanian deadlift (left and right sides), the push up, and total athletic ability assessment score (P <0.05; d = 0.35-1.21). The ROC curves generated an area under the curve of greater than 65% for each test criterion, indicating greater than chance discrimination. These results highlight the physical, anthropometric and athletic movement qualities discriminant of development level within a rugby league talent pathway. Practitioners are encouraged to consider the thresholds from the ROC curves as an objective guide to assist with the development of physical performance qualities that may augment player progression in Australian rugby league.

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This study examined the relationship between evasive skill and developmental level in a rugby league (RL) talent pathway. An observational and cross-sectional research design was used with a total sample of 90 male participants (under 18, n = 30; under 20, n = 30; and state league, n = 30) performing an attack play task, requiring three attackers to compete against two defenders to successfully generate a 'line-break'. Assessment criteria of the task included start position, type of evasive manoeuvre and task outcome (successful line-break or not), with relationships determined using the Fischer's exact test (Crosstabs Command) with adjusted residuals (AR) and the multinomial logistic regression. Outcome scores for the task did not significantly differ between development levels, but the relationship between development level and evasive manoeuvres was significant (χ 2 = 35.916; df = 26; P = 0.026; ES = 0.27). State league players had a greater frequency of 'angled run', 'all square run' and combinations of evasive manoeuvres compared to the other levels. This study demonstrated that variation and type of evasive manoeuvre used by players differed across developmental level.These results could support the design of training activities intended to develop evasive skill in talented junior RL players.

This study investigated the effect of the officiating role on physical activity profiles of rugby league match officials during match-play. Physical performance indicators were collated from 23 match officials, resulting in 78 observations. Match officials were categorised into two groups: referees and touch judges. Microtechnology facilitated the quantification of total distance (m), relative distance (m⋅min-1), maximum velocity (m⋅s-1), the percentage of high intensity running distance (% total > 3.01 m⋅s-1), walking distance (<1 m⋅s-1), jogging distance (1.01 – 3 m⋅s-1), fast jogging distance (3.01 - 5 m⋅s-1), and sprinting distance (>5 m⋅s-1). Multivariate analysis modelled the main effect of the officiating role with follow up univariate analyses identifying significant differences. A significant effect was noted (V = 750; F(8, 66) = 24.71; p < 0.05) with referees covering a greater total distance (7767 ± 585 vs. 7022 ± 759 m), relative distance (90 ± 6 vs. 82 ± 8 m⋅min-1), jogging distance (3772 ± 752 vs. 3110 ± 553 m), and fast jogging distance (2565 ± 631 vs. 1816 ± 440 m) compared to touch judges. Touch judges covered greater distances while sprinting (1012 ± 385 vs. 654 ± 241 m). Results provide important guidance in the development of training programs for match officials.