Stats reveal fascinating shortfall from ALL of the Rugby World Cup semi-finalists

Dylan Coetzee
Split with Siya Kolisi (RSA), Owen Farrell (ENG), Sam Cane (NZL) and Julian Montoya (ARG).

Split with Siya Kolisi (RSA), Owen Farrell (ENG), Sam Cane (NZL) and Julian Montoya (ARG).

The 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals have come and gone in a blink of an eye, with only four teams remaining in the fight for glory.

It was a blockbuster weekend of action that saw Argentina, New Zealand, England and South Africa advance. In the wake of the drama, we take a closer look at where the final four got things right and interestingly where they did not despite winning.

Argentina

Like all the other semi-finalists, Los Pumas had lower attacking output than their opponent. Wales led the South Americans in metres made with 609 to 419, clean breaks eight to five and defenders beaten 22 to 21.

However, Argentina, using their rapid ruck speed of 3.22 seconds on average, had a much better red zone efficiency, especially considering the teams both had six entries. This can also be attributed to the errors made by Wales, with 18 turnovers conceded to the 11 of Los Pumas.

A concern for the team when they face the All Blacks will be their scrum, which boasts an underwhelming success of 84%, the lowest of the last four. However, their line-out operates at 91% which is useful considering they have won the most line-outs per game at 11.6 on average.

Michael Cheika’s side also struggles with breakdown turnovers, trailing everyone else in this facet, whilst they conceded the most penalties when on attack at 4.8 per game.

England

Like Argentina, the Red Rose fell short of Fiji in attacking output with the Pacific side registering eight clean breaks to the three of England and 16 offloads to only four.

England did use the ball well when they had it, with 61% of carries crossing the gainline. However, what might be a big concern is the extremely slow ruck speed at 4.79 seconds, nearly a full second slower than the next-placed side South Africa.

Another point of concern could be their poor red zone efficiency at 2.47, which is the worst of the semi-finalists. It certainly helps that statistically England has the best-performing scrum at an impressive 96% success.

The Red Rose average the most kicks per game at 33 which has helped them sit second highest for territory at 52% of the remaining teams.

Interestingly loose forward Ben Earl tops every attacking stat for his team.

New Zealand

Once again the All Blacks, like all other teams, were dominated by their opponent in attacking output but it was their accuracy and conversion rate which set them apart.

The All Blacks entered the red zone less than half the amount of times Ireland did with six to 14 entries. That means the team averaged an impressive 4.33 points per entry compared to the 1.5 of Ireland.

Up until the quarter-final New Zealand were not required to put in a big defensive shift, averaging the fewest tackles per game at 89.3. However, the three-time champions stood up defensively against Ireland, making a ridiculous 229 tackles – second highest so far this World Cup.

Out of the remaining teams, the All Blacks lead every attacking facet including carries, metres made and clean breaks. They are second for ruck speed but still average an impressive 3.56 seconds.

Their scrum is working well at 93% whilst their line-out is the best in the competition at an immaculate 98%, with the most steals on average per game with two.

New Zealand will have to sharpen up their discipline having conceded the most penalties of the remaining teams with 10.4 per game.

South Africa

Another team that was inferior to their opponent in attacking output, however, the Springboks used their chances better than France with 3.25 points per red zone entry to the two of Les Bleus.

Finally got their set-piece firing with a perfect return in both scrums and line-outs – two key stats which will be welcomed by the Springbok management. Still at the bottom of the pile for attacking stats specifically carries clean breaks, defenders beaten and position outcomes.

South Africa play a lot of the game without the ball with the least possession at 15:11 of the remaining four teams. They made their highest number of tackles in a game against France with 131, with the most dominant tackles at 14.4, a full 4.8 on average higher than any other side.

The holders also dominate the breakdown with the most turnovers in that area as well as the most turnovers on a whole. They have done this whilst conceding the least amount of penalties with 8.6 per game.

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup semi-final referees and match officials confirmed

Argentina