1. Current Issues in Sport
Technology in Rugby
Current Issues in Sport

2. Learning Outcomes Understand how technology has developed in rugby
How technological advances has improved performance in rugby

3. Introductory Task
Draw a timeline and state how you think rugby has changed over the past 100 years technologically (1916 – 2016)

4. Rugby ball Pigs bladder then leather casing it 1800
Pigs bladder replaced
8 panels to 4 panels
Artificial coated surface
Synthetic rubber grip
How do all of these improvements aid performance?

5. Cameras

6. Analysis What do you think this is? WRU Performance Analyst Job Advert
Salary?
£18,500

7. Clothing Baggy and loose to tight and fitted
Went from cheap and hardwearing weighing 2-3kg’s, biggest changed was the introduction of rubber buttons
To polyester threads adding water resistance and reduced weight
Grip improvements by rubber material that was used on balls
Compression clothing e.g. Skins increase the blood flow of the body helping physiologically

8. Rugby Boots
A law written in 1845 stated that no one could wear projecting nails or iron plates due to hacking that was allowed back then
High ankle boots with leather studs being replaced by steel
Adidas produced the first screw in studs during the 1950’s
Boots became lighter and more supple (synthetic) but came with higher risk of injury

9. Communications
Sportzone app - £3.50 per person per month so can be expensive
Mainly used by elite team coaches and management
Calendars, schedules, feedback increases learning and platform for viewing videos and training videos
Report injuries from the Physiotherapist so coaches can adapt team etc.
How does this aid performance?

10. Training and Coaches GPS and Drones
Player George Robson of Harlequins said:
"It is great to get an overhead view. You can see running lines, you can see how things go and then we get sent a copy of training so when you get home you are able to login and have a look through the video and see how you are doing.
"It is one thing feeling it when you are on the pitch when you might not necessarily be able to see everything around you; but when it is on a video clip you can then go, oh this guy was here and maybe I should have made a different decision.”

11. A study researching into info gathered from GPS during a match
How can this help improve performance?

12. **TASK**
Complete the worksheet stating what is the performance enhancement for each change