teams. From the 491 offloads performed, 39 resulted in a try. The northern hemisphere teams scored 9 tries from 228 offloads (3.9%), whilst the southern hemisphere teams scored 30 tries from 263 offloads (11.4%). The southern hemisphere teams scored significantly more tries from the offloads performed compared to the northern hemisphere teams (U = 206.50, p = 0.01, r = -0.36). The results suggest that when the southern hemisphere teams perform an offload, it is more likely to lead to a try than when the northern hemisphere teams use an offload. The southern hemisphere teams, also scored a higher percentage of tries from the total number of offloads conducted in zones D1, A1 and A2 compared to the northern hemisphere teams. In zone A1, southern hemisphere teams converted 8.8% of offloads into tries, whilst for northern hemisphere teams it was only 0.9%. In zone A2, 23.6% of offloads led to tries for southern hemisphere teams, however, it was only 14.9% for northern hemisphere teams. The results suggest that southern hemisphere teams are considerably more likely to score a try from an offload in the attacking half of the pitch, when compared to the northern hemisphere teams. Again, these findings support the work of Jones et al. (2004) as it appears that southern hemisphere teams are using the offload more effectively than northern hemisphere teams, even when considering different locations on the pitch.

The northern hemisphere teams were able to maintain possession and gain yards from 56.6% of offloads, whilst the southern hemisphere teams were able to maintain possession and gain yards from 59.3% of offloads. The results suggest northern and southern hemisphere international teams are able to use offloads to gain yards and this supports Johnson (2008) who stated that offloading was important for maintaining momentum in attack. The results also suggest that offloading can be crucial to move forwards and continue attacks, which were two key principles of rugby union stated by Biscombe and Drewett (2010). Jones et al. (2004) found that the southern hemisphere teams’ ability to offload from all playing positions enhances their potential to be successful through consistently larger breaches of the gain-line. The current study did not explore the playing position of the players offloading the ball, however, it is evident that both northern and southern hemisphere teams were able to gain yards from an offload. There was no significant difference between northern and southern hemisphere teams and maintaining possession and gaining yards from an offload (U = 303.00, p = 0.52, r = -0.09). However, the southern hemisphere teams were able to produce a higher percentage of line breaks following an offload (14.1% of total offloads) compared to the northern hemisphere teams (5.7% of total offloads). Diedrick & van Rooyen (2011) explored line breaks within international rugby union and found that 81% of line breaks maintained possession and that 51% of line breaks resulted in a try being scored. The southern hemisphere teams were able to use the offload more successfully to break a line of defence then when compared to the northern hemisphere teams. The use of an offload to lead to a line break should be considered as a key tactic to score tries in rugby union.

One limitation of this study is that it does not account for the pattern of defence (for example, rush, static or lateral), the number of defenders at the contact area (for example, one, two or many) and the speed of defence that is being applied by the opposition. Wheeler et al. (2010) found that the pattern of defence and the number of defenders at the contact area can influence the success of attacking strategies such as offloads and line breaks. Also, Hendricks et al, (2013) stated that defensive speed,