Comparison of the player characteristics and technical variables according to positions
| Player position | ||||
| Back | Wing | Line | Goalkeeper | |
| Incidence rate (injuries/1000 hours) | 132.7 | 19.9 | 76.4 | 65.1 |
| Time played (min) | 163.6±88.7 | 203.6±105.4 | 175.9±92.4 | 167.5±100.5 |
| Age (years) | 26.1±4.3 | 26.8±4.1 | 27.4±4.6 | 29.1±4.7 |
| International matches played | 62.1±61.8 | 69±63.8 | 72.8±68.3 | 79±77.5 |
| Shots attempted (n) | 25.7±19.0* | 22.9±15.9† | 13.9±11.6 | 1.7±5 |
| 6 m shots (n) | 6.5±5.7* | 3±3.2 | 10.5±9.8‡ | 0.5±3.2 |
| 7 m shots (n) | 1.6±4.1 | 3.3±5.8 | 0.1±0.5 | - |
| 9 m shots (n) | 12.6±11.1§ | 1.9±5.8 | 0.6±1.8 | 0.2±0.4 |
| Wing shots (n) | 0.7±1.9 | 9±6.9¶ | 0.2±0.7 | 0.1±1.1 |
| Breakthrough shots (n) | 2.0±2.4§ | 0.4±1 | 0.2±0.5 | 0.1±0.1 |
| Fast-break shots (n) | 2.3±2.5 | 5.3±4.5¶ | 2.2±2.9 | 0.9±1.5 |
| Assists (n) | 10±8.9§ | 3.1±2.6 | 3.7±3 | 1.3±1.7 |
| Turnovers (n) | 6.6±5.1§ | 2.8±3.0 | 3.4±2.7 | 0.7±2.5 |
| Blocked shots (n) | 1.1±1.9 | 0.3±0.7 | 2.0±2.2‡ | 0.2±1.0 |
| Steals (n) | 1.6±2.3 | 1.7±1.7 | 1.3±1.5 | 0.6±0.9 |
Results are presented as number of action±SD.
Goalkeepers were excluded from the analysis because only shots, defensive and offensive variables have been compared.
*Significant difference between back and wing (p<0.05).
†Significant difference between wing and line.
‡Significant difference between line and wing, as well as between line and back.
§Significant difference between back and wing, as well as between back and line.
¶Significant difference between wing and back, as well as between wing and line.