Training and game-play movement patterns were
assessed through the use of portable global positioning
devices (SPI Pro, GPSports, Canberra), sampling at a
rate of 5 Hz. The validity and reliability of GPS is
acceptable for use in team sports environments,24–26
although caution is advised when interpreting very
high speed running (>5 m.s1) as this is subject to
greater variability than lower speed zones.24 Despite
this limitation, these GPS devices have been utilized in
research similar to the present study in rugby sevens27
and adolescent rugby union.19 Players were familiarized
with the use of the GPS devices in a training session
before the start of the study. Devices were carried in
an elasticized harness, worn beneath the training or
match jersey, suspended between the players shoulder
blades. The unit was switched on prior to the warm up
for each session to ensure that a satellite link was established
before the beginning of activity. Following each
session, GPS data were downloaded to a personal computer
and analysed using Team AMS software (Version10, GPSports, Canberra, Australia).