Background: Ball possession (BP) is one of the most influential performance indicators in rugby union. However, few studies have analyzed its effectiveness at the Men’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) level. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of BP in the 2023 Men’s RWC, comparing winning and losing male national teams to identify key tactical patterns associated with success. Methods: A total of 2645 BP phases from 38 matches involving 20 men’s national teams were analyzed through a retrospective observational design. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests with post hoc standardized residuals, Cramer’s V to measure effect sizes, and a binary logistic regression model (pseudo R2 = 0.00616) to assess the probability of winning or losing based on BP effectiveness. Results: Significant differences were found between winning and losing male teams at the beginning of BP sequences. Winning teams showed higher-than-expected frequencies of effective possessions initiated by lineout plus ruck or maul, ruck, and own kick (residuals ranging from 2.02 to 4.32). In contrast, losing teams exhibited more ineffective possessions when play began from restarts or opposition kicks (residual = 3.46). During BP development, winning teams demonstrated superior effectiveness in actions involving both backs and forwards, and in attacking through channel 1 and channel 2. These teams also showed greater efficiency when one to four or more players were involved in coordinated offensive actions. Conclusions: The findings highlight that successful male rugby teams optimize BP during critical moments of the game, efficiently converting initial phases into scoring opportunities. Versatility in attack and the ability to maintain possession under different tactical contexts appear to be key performance indicators associated with success in elite men’s rugby competitions.
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