3. Stat Attack
While we are on the subject of statistics, let’s have a look at who is leading the Aussie conference in a few key areas (according to Fox Sports, anyway):
Tries: Alfie Mafi (5), Henry Speight (4), Jesse Mogg (4), Israel Folau (3), Robbie Coleman (3)
Runs: Israel Folau (68), Alfie Mafi (63), Digby Ioane (62), Hugh McMeniman (62), Luke Jones (57)
Tackle Busts: Drew Mitchell (31), Digby Ioane (28), Israel Folau (25), Alfie Mafi (25), Bernard Foley (21)
Line breaks: Bernard Foley (8), Drew Mitchell (8), Alfie Mafi (7), AAC (5), Digby Ioane (5)
Offloads: Quade Cooper (20), Kyle Godwin (11), Israel Folau (9), Mitch Chapman (9), Kurtley Beale (9)
Tackles made: Ed Quirk (106), Michael Hooper (106), Luke Jones (90), Scott Fuglistaller (76), James Slipper (73)
Tackles missed: Michael Hooper (20), Richard Kingi (15), Drew Mitchell (14), Quade Cooper (14), Laurie Weeks (14)
Errors: Quade Cooper (17), Bernard Foley (12), Christian Lealiifano (11), Nic White (11), Nick Phipps (11)
Now, what you make of those numbers is entirely up to you. There are a few observations that can be drawn (e.g. the Waratahs are breaking the line a lot but not converting it into tries and wins), but also excuses and explanations for certain anomalies. Stats can only tell you so much, after all.
