Australian Rugby Union dives into data in new deal with sports marketing group Perform
The Australian Rugby Union has inked a deal to tap into the data generated by players during games to driver deeper fan engagement with the sport through apps and social media.
The ARU will work with digital sports content and media group, Perform, and its data decision, Opta, to harvest data which will then be used to develop content for all of the ARU’s websites, mobile apps and social media work.
Opta will also give the ARU access to its global rugby database which includes international match data, the Rugby Sevens World Series and all major domestic leagues around the world.
Under the new arrangement, fans can access a wide range of live statistics related to matches in a move Australian Rugby Union (ARU) hopes will build even closer engagement with the sport.
People don’t give a shit how far a player runs if they’re losing.
That’s balderdash, News Flash. Of course fans are interested in player performance. Rugby demands more skill sets than soccer, AFL and league. As well as the running and passing, there’s rucking, mauling and line-outs. Stats on all of those have been getting better every season. Australia’s million + rugby fans want more and better info on all the players from the Super Rugby sides – Waratahs, Force, Rebels, Reds and Brumbies – as well as the Wallabies. As the second biggest code of football on the planet, and one of the fastest growing, data and information like this will add to fans’ enjoyment and appreciation of the game. Not to mention becoming the source of comparisons and arguments about players’ performances.
Generally agree w Adrian. Not sure what Opta already do with rugby, but as the EPL’s data partner for football the detail and depth of insights are staggeringly good. If it’s anywhere near as good for rugby it’s great news. Does anyone know if Fox Sports will be allowed to use them too?
Adrian, AFL requires EVERY player to be able to kick the ball, catch the ball, tackle, shepherd, and run with the ball. Plus every 15 metres they have to bounce the oval ball. Not to mention that they play 120 minutes and not some piss poor 80 minutes.
So Adrian, c’mon over and have a look at the truly Australian game – the game that attracts the largest crowds.
Good morning,
I believe the day when penalties are going to be explained clearly to the people who don’t not know much about rugby they will then get more followers. How many of you understand every time what was the action that deserved a penalty stopping the flow of the game. It as taken years to change the boring old rules of the scrum. Why has it taken so long? They couldn’t see that that was driving a way the novices from the game!!!
Knowing how many meters have some players run in a game can only interest the people already converted. To get more fans get the game flowing and explained to them as it is happening on the field. Get rid of the statistics but spend the money and time to convert and keep the public remotely interested in the game.