Statistics - using possession in the Final

The final match of the 2007 Rugby World Cup has come and gone. Statistics of the match can be interesting. Those we give here tell how possession was used.

We have already given the statistics for getting possession.

As has been the case in the other knock-out matches, The statistics on possession time, passes, kicks and getting possession from first and second phase seem to suggest that the best thing to do is get rid of the ball and defend like blazes.England beat South Africa in all of these facets but South Africa won on the scoreboard.

Fair Play have given us some statistics which show how possession was used.

We have discussed some incidents from the final and the 3rd-place match.

1. Possession Time

England: 21 minutes 32 seconds
South Africa: 17 minutes 1 second

2. Passes

England: 128
South Africa: 76

3. Kicks

England: 44
South Africa: 47

4. Ruck & Maul (the number lost is in brackets)

England: 73 (5)
South Africa: 69 (6)

5. Turn-overs won in general play

England: 9
South Africa: 5

6. Opportunities to get possession from penalty, free kick, scrum, line-out

England: 37
South Africa: 29

7. Tries scored

England: 0
South Africa: 0

Penalty kicks at goal with successful kicks in brackets

England: 2 (2)
South Africa: 6 (5)

Drop goal attempts with successful kicks in brackets

England: 2 (0)
South Africa: 0 (0)