Rugby football

Rugby Games

Rugby football is a fast, rough team sport. The player carrying the ball is trying to run it down the field toward his opponents' goal line. Players can also advance the ball by kicking.

A Rugby football field con­sists of the field of play and the in-goal areas. The field of play is a rectangle bordered by the touch lines and the goal lines. The in-goal areas are behind each goal line and are enclosed by the goal lines and dead-ball lines. Rugby League and Rugby Union fields are about the same size, but they have some different markings. The diagram on the upper left shows a Rugby Union field. The diagram on the lower left shows a Rugby League field.

A Rugby League match between teams from Australia and New Zealand creates great interest in both countries.

A line-out restarts play in Rugby Union after the ball has gone out-of-bounds. A player tosses the ball in between two lines of forwards, and each group tries to pass the ball to its backs.

A scrum puts the ball in play in Rugby League. The ball is tossed into a tunnellike formation made by the forwards from each team. Players in the scrum try to heel it to a teammate.

The All Blacks, New Zea­land's national Rugby Union team, plays regularly against the Australian team, which is known as the Wallabies.

Twickenham, London, is one of the grounds used for Rugby Union international matches.

Useful links
England vs New Zealand - Rugby 2013
Rugby Union World VX Polls Results
Hong Kong Rugby Sevens

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Rugby football is a fast contact sport played by two a teams. Players on each team try to score by kicking, passing, or carrying the ball until they can kick it over the opponents' goal or touch it down behind the oppo­nents' goal line. The team that scores the most points wins the match.

There are two versions of Rugby football—Rugby Union and Rugby League. Rugby Union, the older of the two, is only played by amateurs. Both types of Rugby football originated in the United Kingdom in the 1800's and both are now played throughout the world.

Both forms of Rugby football feature almost continu­ous play. Stoppages occur only when a player is injured, when points are scored, if the ball crosses the bounda­ries of the field, or when there is a restart of play result­ing from a rules violation. A match is divided into two 40-minute halves separated by a half-time rest period of no more than 5 minutes. Rugby Union and Rugby League both involve tackling and other physical play, but players are allowed little protective equipment. A typical uniform consists of a shirt, shorts, knee-length socks, and cleated boots. Some players wear shin guards and mouth guards.

Rugby Union

Rugby Union has been described as "a game for ruffi­ans played by gentlemen". The reference to "gentlemen" indicates that the game is played only by amateurs. In this it differs from the similar game of Rugby League, in which some players are professionals.

Rugby Union is popular in many parts of the world. It developed in England, soon spreading to Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. It became popular in Australia,

South Africa, New Zealand, and France. It also devel­oped to a somewhat lesser extent in Canada, the United States, Italy, Romania, japan, the Soviet Union, Fiji, Ar­gentina, and more than 90 other countries.

The field and equipment. The field is a maximum of 69 metres wide and 144 metres long. The goal lines are 100 metres apart. An area called the in-goal extends up to 22 metres beyond each goal line. A halfway line and other lines parallel to the goal lines divide the field.

Two goal posts stand on each goal line. The posts are 5.6 metres apart and are connected by a crossbar 3 me­tres above the ground.

For more information about the Rugby Union field, see the diagram in this article.

The Rugby Union ball is an inflated oval rubber blad­der encased in leather. It is about 28 centimetres in length and weighs between 400 and 450 grams.

The officials. A referee and two touch judges offici­ate a match. The referee controls the game, and his judgment is final. The touch judges signal when and where the ball goes into touch (out of bounds), and they indicate whether a kick at goal is successful. They also inform the referee of any foul play.

The team consists of 15 players—8 forwards and ball. The backs then advance the ball toward the goal by running, passing, or kicking. Forwards may also partici­pate in the running, passing, and kicking activity.

Scoring. A team can score a try, a conversion, and a goal. A try is scored when any player touches the ball down on the ground in the opponent's in-goal area. A try counts 5 points.

After a try, a player on the scoring team attempts to convert the try. To convert a try, the player place-kicks the ball over the crossbar from a point opposite the spot where the player's team scored the try. Place-kicking in­volves kicking the ball from a prepared piece of turf called a "place." Defensive players stand behind their own goal line during the attempted conversion. A suc­cessful conversion scores 2 points.

There are two kinds of goals, a penalty goal and a dropped goal. Each counts 3 points. A player scores a penalty goal by place-kicking the ball over the crossbar on a penalty kick. A penalty kick is awarded when the opposing team infringes certain laws (rules of the game). A player scores a dropped goal by drop-kicking the ball over the crossbar while the ball is in play.

How to play Rugby Union. The kickoff starts a Rugby Union match and also starts play in the second half. A player restarts play after either team has scored by drop-kicking from the centre spot. Members of the receiving team take up positions behind the 10-metre line.

Advancing the ball. The team that secures possession of the ball tries to gain territory toward the opponents' goal line by running, passing, or kicking the ball. Players are not allowed to pass the ball forward (toward the op­ponent's goal). The ball can only be passed laterally or backwards. In addition, players cannot knock on (hit the ball toward the opponent's goal line with their hand or arm).

Players can tackle any opponent who is carrying the ball. The ball carrier avoids a tackle by dodging oppo­nents or by passing the ball to a teammate. The ball car­rier also may avoid a tackle by handing off the oppo­nent, called a fend. That is, the player may push the opponent away by using the palm of the hand. However, no player can strike or punch any opponent. When a player is tackled, the player must release the ball to allow play to continue. Any player may pick up the ball and run with it or kick it.

A player may kick the ball directly over the touch line or side line only from behind his own team's 22-metre line. He can kick the ball over the touch line or side line, from in front of the 22-metre line only if the ball bounces before going over the touch line or side line.

Replacements. In international matches, up to three players may leave a game only after a doctor determines I that the player is not fit to continue playing. Replaced players may not reenter the match. A substitute may play ^! for five minutes in place of an injured player. If the player cannot return within that time the substitute be­comes his replacement.

The scrum. A scrum restarts play after one of the teams has committed a minor violation, such as a for­ward pass. In a scrum, the two opposing sets of for­wards link themselves together tightly, bending forward from the waist to form a tunnel like formation. The half­back from the team not responsible for the violation "feeds" the ball into the tunnel. The two sets of forwards push from opposite sides as soon as the ball enters the scrum. Each side attempts to move the scrum into a po­sition that allows its hooker to heel the ball back through his own team scrum to gain possession. The hooker is positioned in the front and centre of the front row of the forwards in the scrum.

The lineout. A lineout restarts play after the ball has gone over the side line or into touch. A player from the team not responsible for putting the ball in touch throws the ball in bounds between two opposing lines of forwards. Each set of forwards tries to outjump the other and secure possession of the ball by catching it, or by palming it to its backs.

The forwards also form a ruck or a maul. Both forma­tions continue play without interruption after a tackle. In a ruck, the forwards close in around the ball after the 1 ball carrier has been tackled and the ball has gone to ground. The forwards attempt to heel, or "ruck," the ball back for their backs to continue play. A maul occurs when several forwards surround the ball carrier during a tackle and the tackled player is able to remain on his feet. The opposition players in the maul attempt to wres- j tie the ball from the ball carrier.

Organization. Organizations called Unions control Rugby Union in the United Kingdom. There are separate unions for England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Rugby ' Union players in the United Kingdom and Ireland ob- i serve the laws of the International Rugby Football Board.

The most important rugby union competition is the five nations championship. This championship is essentially two competitions in one. Five teams—England, Ire­land, Scotland, Wales, and France—take part in the championship. Each side plays against each of the other ! four teams—two games at home and two away. The side that wins the most matches takes the championship,  Within this contest, the four home international sides of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales compete for an imaginary prize called the Triple Crown.

The United Kingdom and Ireland together field a touring team of players selected from each of the four home sides. This team, popularly known as the British Lions, travels to many countries, notably Australia and New Zealand. Teams from those countries also visit the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Barbarians are a team of specially invited players who stage matches against top touring teams and club sides.

Rugby Union is the national winter game of New Zealand. More than 200,000 people play the game in New Zealand. More than 130,000 play in Australia.

Australia has two interstate matches each season, played between New South Wales and Queensland. Teams from 28 provincial rugby districts in New Zea­land compete in 160 first class fixtures yearly.

New Zealand also has another well-known national competition for provincial teams. It is called the Ranfurly Shield. The shield is known as a challenge trophy, and is competed for annually.

Australia and New Zealand both field national teams. The Australian team is called the Wallabies. The New Zealand team is called the All Blacks, because the play­ers wear black jerseys, shorts, and socks. By the begin­ning of the 1990's, the Wallabies had reinforced their reputation as the best Rugby Union team in the world in international competition, fully deserving their victory in the 1991 Rugby World Cup.

Rugby League

Rugby League is played in Australia, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the United Kingdom. The team from the United Kingdom is known as the Great Britain team. Most of the countries that play Rugby League regularly send their national teams on overseas tours. Most touring teams play a test series consisting of three matches against the home team.

The field. The field is a maximum of 68 metres wide. The goal lines are 100 metres apart. An in-goal area from 6 to 11 metres extends beyond each goal line. The field is divided into 10-metre areas with a halfway line in the middle. Two goal posts stand on each goal line. The posts are 5.5 metres apart.

The ball in Rugby League is an inflated rubber sac covered with leather or synthetic material. It is oval­shaped and averages about 28 centimetres  long and weighs about 410 grams.

The officials. A referee and two touch judges offici­ate the match. The referee controls the game and his judgment is final. The touch judges assist the referee in all phases of the game. Their chief function is to signal with a flag whether the ball or ball carrier crosses the sideline. They can also inform the referee of player mis­conduct and indicate whether a goal has been correctly scored.

A team has 13 players—6 forwards and 7 backs. The forwards attempt to win possession of the ball. The backs advance the ball toward the goal by running, passing, or kicking.

Scoring includes a try, a conversion, a penalty kick, and a field goal. A player scores a try when he grounds the ball in the opponents' in-goal area. A try counts 4 points. To score a conversion (also called a kick at goal), a player from the team that scored the try kicks the ball over the crossbar between the goal posts. The player place-kicks the ball from a point opposite the spot where the try was scored. A conversion counts 2 points.

A penalty kick is taken from the spot where the other team's violation occurred. The kick is worth 2 points if the ball passes over the crossbar. The team awarded the penalty kick may choose to gain ground instead of taking the kick, by kicking the ball outside the touch lines.

A player scores a field goal by drop-kicking the ball through the goal posts and over the crossbar at any time during the game. A field goal counts 1 point.

How to play Rugby League. The kickoff starts a Rugby League match and also starts play in the second half. A player place-kicks the ball from the centre spot on the halfway line. The receiving team stands behind the 10-metre line.

Advancing the ball. The team in possession of the ball tries to move it over the opponent's goal line. Any player can run with the ball and kick it in any direction. He may pass, throw, or knock the ball to any teammate not in front of him. Only the player carrying the ball is al- lowed to be tackled.

Replacements. Up to four players may be substituted in a match for any reason. A replaced player cannot re­enter the game.

Playing the ball. During a game, a team in possession is allowed 6 tackles, or downs, to score points. If the team does not score, a hand-over occurs to allow the opposing team 6 tackles. After each tackle is complete , the ball carrier places the ball on the ground and the ball back with the foot to one of his teammates. The player can then pick up the ball to continue play. All players from both teams must be 5 metres away and cannot move up until the ball is played.

The scrum. A scrum, or scrummage, restarts play after one of the teams has committed a minor violation or a ball carrier goes over the sideline. In a scrum, the two opposing sets of forwards link themselves together tightly and lower their heads to make a tunnellike forma­tion. A player from the team not responsible for the vio­lation tosses the ball into the scrum. The two sets of for­wards push from opposite sides as soon as the ball enters the scrum. Each side attempts to move the scrum into a position that allows its hooker to kick the ball out of the scrum to a teammate.

Organization. Until the 1980s, Rugby League was re­stricted chiefly to Cumbria, Lancashire, and Yorkshire in northern England. It then expanded with the formation of teams in Wales and southern England. Most profes­sionals in Rugby League are part-time players. Several hundred amateur Rugby League clubs play in open age, youth, and school age groups.

Great Britain plays France twice each season, at home and away. Great Britain also plays matches regularly against touring sides from Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

Rugby League is one of the most popular sports in Australia and New Zealand. It is played on an organized basis in all states and territories.

In the 1980’s, Norfolk Island became an affiliated body of the Australian Rugby League. By the 1980’s, the game had grown to such a degree in Papua New Guinea that the country was included in international competition, playing tests against all participating nations.

In New Zealand, Auckland is the stronghold of Rugby League. The game is also popular in Canterbury. In the 1980’s, large increases in the number of players and the number of spectators occurred in Wellington and the upper half of the North Island.

The New Zealand national team is called the Kiwis. Players wear black jerseys with two white V s, black shorts, and black socks with two white hoops at the top.

The Australian team is called the Kangaroos. Players wear green jerseys with two gold V’s, green shorts with a gold stripe, and green socks with gold hoops. The na­tional team of Papua New Guinea is known as the Ku- muls. They wear orange shirts with black V’s, black shorts, and orange socks with black hoops.

The Australian Rugby Football League Limited gov­erns the game in Australia. Its equivalent in New Zea­land is the New Zealand Rugby Football League (Inc.).

The overseer in Papua New Guinea is the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League.

History

According to tradition, Rugby football originated from a football game played at Rugby School in Rugby, England, in 1823. During the game, a student named William Webb Ellis broke the rules by catching the ball and running with it. Players of the new game adopted use of an oval-shaped ball to make passing and carrying easier.

Rugby football quickly became popular throughout the United Kingdom (UK). Teams could play with an un­limited number of players at one time, and there were few rules. Early Rugby Union teams had as many as 20 players. But in the university match of 1875, both Oxford and Cambridge fielded teams of 15 players each. In 1871, a conference of Rugby clubs formed the English Rugby Union, made up of 21 amateur clubs. The confer­ence set the number of players on a team at 15 and es­tablished other general rules. Scotland formed its Rugby Union in 1873, and Ireland organized a Rugby Union in 1874. The Welsh Rugby Union formed in 1881.

In 1895, 21 teams from the north of England broke from the Rugby Union to form the Northern Rugby Union. These northern clubs wanted to pay their play­ers, in order to compensate them for the money they lost through taking time off work to play rugby. The Rugby Union did not allow this as they felt it would mean the end of amateurism. The northern clubs changed their name to the Rugby Football League in 1922. The International Rugby Board was formed in 1948 to govern Rugby League internationally.

Australia. The New South Wales Rugby Union was formed in 1875. It is the oldest union outside the UK. In 1907, Rugby League was formed. It took some star play­ers and many supporters from Rugby Union, and soon became the more popular of the two games. Since 1930, rugby has become increasingly popular. The Wallabies rank among the world's top rugby union sides.

New Zealand. British settlers introduced the game into New Zealand in about 1870. Bitter fighting between the Maori and the European settlers had only recently ended. The Maori found a new outlet for their energies, and accepted the game as if they had known it all their

lives. Some of the greatest rugby players have been Maori. Rugby League began in New Zealand in 1905.

New Zealand rugby teams have exchanged visits with Australian sides regularly since 1882. Only World Wars I and II have interrupted these exchanges.

Outline

Rugby Union: The field and equipment, The officials, The team, Scoring, How to play Rugby Union, and Organization

Rugby League: The field, The officials, A team, Scoring. How to play Rugby League, and Organization.

Questions:

What protective equipment may be worn by rugby players? Which teams take part in the Rugby Union five nations champi­onship?

How is a try scored in Rugby football?

What is a scrum?

What is a lineout in Rugby Union?

Why is the New Zealand team called the All Blacks?

How many tackles is the team in possession allowed in Rugby League?

Others:

Rugby (pop. 83,400) is an important railway junction and local government district in Warwickshire, England. The district includes a large agricultural area with mixed farming and dairy farming. But most of the district's peo­ple live in the town of Rugby, where the main industries include the manufacture of electrical equipment. It also has a powerful radio transmitting station.

Rugby School, a well-known independent school, was founded in 1567. See also Warwickshire. It is a famous English independent school founded in 1567 at Rugby, England. Rugby's play­ground was one of the founding places of Rugby foot­ball. The school became one of the leading independent schools in England under Thomas Arnold who served as headmaster. Thomas Arnold was an English educator and historian. Arnold was an early supporter of the Broad Church Anglican movement. He was the headmaster of Rugby School from 1828 to 1841, where he introduced a number of reforms.