Argentina vs. New Zealand: A Comparison of Physical Qualities and Anthropometric Profiles in Male Rugby Union Academy Players
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Sahilices, Juan Pablo
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Storey, Adam
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Auckland University of Technology
Abstract
Rugby union is a collision-based sport in which anthropometric and physical performance characteristics play an important role in player development and progression towards elite competition. Although previous research has extensively described the physical profiles of rugby players across playing levels and positions, limited research has directly compared academy players from different high-performance rugby nations. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of male academy rugby union players from Argentina and New Zealand and to examine differences according to playing position.
Sixty-seven academy rugby players aged 18–20 years participated in the study (Argentina, n = 34; New Zealand, n = 33) and were classified as forwards or backs. Anthropometric measures included height, body mass, and the sum of six skinfolds. Physical performance assessments included estimated one-repetition maximum (1RM) squat, bench press, and weighted chin-up strength; countermovement jump (CMJ) height; 10 m and 30 m sprint times; and Bronco completion time. Descriptive statistics were calculated as mean ± standard deviation. Two-way analyses of variance were used to examine the effects of country, playing position, and country × playing position interactions.
Playing position was significantly associated with most anthropometric and physical performance variables. Forwards generally demonstrated greater body mass, a greater sum of six skinfolds, and greater absolute maximal strength, whereas backs achieved greater CMJ heights, faster sprint times, and faster Bronco completion times. Significant country × playing position interactions were identified for body mass (p = .013, η²p = .099), the sum of six skinfolds (p < .001, η²p = .205), estimated 1RM squat strength (p = .021, η²p = .085), and allometrically scaled weighted chin-up strength (p = .004, η²p = .138). New Zealand backs were 12.2 kg heavier than Argentinian backs (93.7 ± 10.8 vs. 81.5 ± 7.0 kg, p = .044). Argentinian forwards demonstrated a 28.6 mm greater sum of six skinfolds (92.5 ± 33.8 vs. 63.9 ± 15.6 mm, p < .001) and 22.9 kg greater estimated 1RM squat strength (193.5 ± 22.5 vs. 170.6 ± 19.3 kg, p = .014) than New Zealand forwards. Argentinian backs also demonstrated greater allometrically scaled weighted chin-up strength than New Zealand backs (7.13 ± 0.37 vs. 6.01 ± 0.48 1RM·kg⁻⁰·⁶⁷, p < .001).
Overall, playing position was more consistently associated with the anthropometric and physical performance characteristics examined than country. Although country effects and country × playing position interactions were identified for selected anthropometric and physical performance measures, no significant country differences were observed for several other variables. These findings reinforce the importance of position-specific and individualised athlete monitoring and provide contemporary reference data to inform evidence-based decision-making within academy rugby development programmes.