A brand-new visualisation type: Each phase of play is plotted as a point on an Archimedean spiral.
The angle represents time through the match. The radius encodes field position (centre = own try-line, outer edge = opposition 22m).
Colour encodes outcome: green = SA retained possession, blue = NZ gained, red = turnover/penalty conceded.
Dot size encodes impact severity. The result is a "pressure fingerprint" — no two matches will ever produce the same spiral shape.
How to Read the Spiral:
Start at the centre — kick-off
Follow the spiral clockwise → time advances outward
Points near the outer rings = NZ 22m territory
Points near the inner rings = SA own 22m danger
Clusters of blue in outer rings = sustained NZ pressure
Red spikes = turnover/penalty hotspots
Key Spiral Insights:
SA dominated the 1st–35min arc (inner spiral, green)
NZ took control at 44min — spiral colour flips blue
Large red dots at 70' & 75' = yellow card phase
NZ outer-ring cluster in final 15min = unchallenged territory
Why This Visualisation is Novel:
Existing rugby analytics use linear timelines, heat-maps, or radar charts. The Phase Pressure Spiral uniquely encodes time, position, possession, and impact simultaneously in a single radial view — revealing the momentum fingerprint of a match at a glance.