The role of anthropometric, performance and psychological attributes in predicting selection into an elite development programme in older adolescent rugby league players

This study aimed to identify attributes that discriminate selected from non-selected players and predict selection into a rugby league development programme in older adolescent players. Anthropometric, performance and psychological attributes were measured in under-16 (N = 100) and under-18 (N = 60) rugby league players trialling for selection into a development programme with a professional Australian club. Sprint times (P < 0.001), predicted VO2max (P = 0.002) and push-ups1 min (P = 0.004) were superior in selected under-16 players, and sprint times (P ≤ 0.045), push-ups1 min (P < 0.001) and chin-ups1 min (P = 0.013) were superior in selected under-18 players. Further, 10-m sprint (β = −7.706, standard error [SE] = 2.412), VO2max (β = 0.168, SE = 0.052) and body mass (β = 0.071, SE = 0.023) significantly predicted selection (R2 = 0.339) in under-16 players, while push-ups1 min (β = 0.564, SE = 0.250), 10-m sprint (β = −68.477, SE = 28.107), body mass (β = 0.360, SE = 0.155) and chronological age (β = −3.577, SE = 1.720) significantly predicted selection (R2 = 0.894) in under-18 players. These findings emphasise the importance of performance attributes in junior rugby league and indicate talent identification test batteries should be age-specific in older adolescent players.