There is one thing that I want to inform you about is that the point allocation of the systems covers virtually all aspects of any activity a player on the field can be involved in. That is more comprehensie than any stats really are and is an eye-opener.
The Points are allocated for the following:-
Scored try - Assist Try - Line Break - Go Forward - Turnover - Tackle - Line Outs - Win Scrum - Catch Kick - Goal kick - Goal miss - Give Penalty - Lost Possession
Some of the above needs some clarification. Tackles include missed tackles in respect of which points are deducted. Line out wins count heavily when it is a line out win against the throw in - same with hooking of balls. Go forward implies carry the balls in heavy traffic and is given points on effectiveness.
Yellow and Red cards are disastrous from a point deduction point of view. This is illustrated by the fact that Higginsbottom got -19 points for the yellow card and penalties given away last week.
The above allocations resulted in some real eye-openers in respect of some players and give a real indication of their performances in Super 15 last year in Super 15 last year:-
The highest point scorers last year in Super 15 was as follows:-
Backline Players
1 . James O'Connor
2 Johan Goosen
3 Jaco Taute
4 Beauden Barrett
5 Bjorn Basson
Please not that both Goosen and Taute were injured for long periods in the competition last year and they could have done much better if that was not the case.
Forwards
1 Coenie Oosthuizen
2 Marcell Coetzee
Coetzee was the highest loosie point scorer in the whole competition - ahead of players like McCaw and Pocock - the latter two were penalized for giving away too many penalties
Summary
The surprise is really that some All Blacks and Springboks do not make the grade - whilst some players are perhaps not given enough credit for their actual performances on the field of play. Incidentally I think that the reason for drafting Coetzee and Etzebeth into the Springbok team at a very early age by Meyer is acually the result of their high standing in the ratings in Super 15 based on comprehensive evlauation of all stats - with points allocated for each activity.
