Interesting stats thus far in Super Rugby

There are some interesting stats on Super Rugby on the Rugby365 website.   The following as to SA players are provided for information:-

Points scored

3  Robert du Preez   4 matches    -    43 Points  -   Tries 2  Coversions 12

7  Damian Willemse 4 matches    -    35 points  -   Tries 1  Coversions 12

9  Handre Pollard     4 matches    -    28 points  -   Tries 2  Coversions  8

9  SP Marais            3 matches    -    28 points  -   Tries 1  Coversions 10

*  The Stormers goal kicking was split between Willemse and SP Marais

Tries

1  Aphiwe Dyantyi  5 matches     -    5 tries

Goal Kicking        

1  Elto Jantjies         5 matches      -   24 conversions    missed   5  -  83%

3  Robert du Preez   4 matches      -   18 conversions    missed   3  -  83%

7  Damian Willemse 4 matches      -   18 conversions    missed   1  -  92%

9  SP Marais            3 matches      -   13 conversions    missed   3  -  83%

*  The Stormers goal kicking was split between Willemse and SP Marais

Ball Carries

1  Damian de Allende  5 matches  -   63

4  Andries Coetzee      5 matches  -   54

9  Aphiwe Dyantyi       5 matches  -   48

Meters 

1  Aphiwe Dyantyi       5 matches  -   402 meters

2  Andries Coetzee       5 matches  -   292 meters

Defenders Beaten

1  Andries Coetzee       5 matches  -   28

3  Damian de Allende   5 matches  -  21

4  Aphiwe Gyantai        5 matches  -  18

4  Damian Willemse     4 matches  -  18

9  Lionel Mapoe           5 matches  -   16

Clean Breaks

Line Outs

Mike do stats tell the whole picture or are they just a rough guide or estimate and don't really tell the whole picture in the wider context...sure they have some value but one cannot only evaluate a team and game of how it all comes together and in reality one must evaluate a team and not just an individuals and how they combine in the wider and whole perspective.

Sure they may be interesting to some, especially our analyt ical personalities but I find them boring and surely hope that Rassie is not a stat freak and can like NZ coaches see rugby as a 15 man, afterall is not rugby a team game.

Seb

I believe stats is ONE of the means to determine the performance abilities and shortcomings of players.   It is normally quite accurate when it comes to facets of play like tackling and missing of tackles - but that should just be an element - not the whole picture,

I do think that Rassie is a bit of a rugby academic.   He will look at the performance of players in their positions and one of the elements he will look at is the stats,   How he will evaluate all the performance of players only he would know - but I guess by middle May he would have a  fairly comprehensive evaluation of player performances.

Unlike the cases of Meyer and  Coetzee Rassie's evaluation would not take into account reputation and past performances - but will look at present performances in the main.   However, what he will also look at wil be how the players will fit into the team and essentially into the game plan he envisages,   

He was very successful coaching Munster - he got the Irish Coach of the Year Award in his first year with the club.  I think that we will see some strange selections coming up  and some of our members may have fainting fits as a result.     

Duplication

Highlanders and Hurricanes have the best defense of the comp. Conceding the least tries. 

As far as your Stats Mike. Context is needed. Who was the opposition e.t.c. No SA side has faced a kiwi side outside of SA. And outside of the Blues yet. 

Luke

I think you are wrong here.   The Stormers played 3 of their matches away from SA (1 in Australia and 2 in New Zealand), The Bulls played two matches away (1 in Australia and 1 in New Zealand)

.The Sharks is on tour and is playing the second game in Australia.

The total games played by SA teams in New Zealand is two more than the total NZ teams play in SA taking into account the full schedule of games this year.   That is to the advantage of the NZ teams I am sure.