Table 1. Operational definitions of match statistics used in analysis.

KPI Variable—Performance	Definition
Clean Break	Count of times a player in possession of the ball breaks the defensive line
Half Break	Count of times a player in possession of the ball breaks the defensive line but is tackled in the process of doing so
Tries Scored	Number of tries scored by a player
Tackle Success (%)	Percentage of tackles that were successful
Carries Over Gainline (%)	Percentage of carries made that were over the gainline (imaginary line that runs the width of the pitch through the middle of the last breakdown)
Dominant Collisions	Count of collisions (both in attack and defence) where the player makes ground after the collision
Effective Attacking Ruck (%)	Percentage of times players were effective at the breakdown as one of the first 3 support players to the ruck while their team is attacking
Turnovers	Count of times a player turns over the ball into an offensive situation from a defensive play
Offloads	Count of times the player made a successful pass in the process of being tackled
KPI Variable—Effort	Definition
Carries	Count of times a player carried the ball into contact
Effective Attacking Ruck	Count of times players were effective at the breakdown as one of the first 3 support players to the ruck while their team is attacking
Tackles	Count of tackles made by the player
Attacking First Three	Count of the times the player was in the first 3 support players to the ruck while their team is attacking
Defensive First Three	Count of the times the player was in the first 3 support players to the ruck while their team is defending
Total Possession	Count of times player is in possession of the ball
Passes	Count of times the player passes the ball