This was a good read. I've always been intrigued by rugby but I have to admit I hardly knew anything about it beyond the "Give Blood. Play Rugby" bumper stickers. This laid it out quite well.
A couple of questions:
-I guess this would be more clear when you see a real game, but if teammates aren't allowed to block defenders when their teammate has the ball, what do they do?
-How violent does it get in things like the ruck? I imagine its hard for the refs to see into the pile-are there lots of shenanigans going on in there?
Phil
· 9 months ago
Bravo! I was a winger and oc for two seasons. Best sport I will ever play.
Gentlemen with guts. Great Article.
Phil
· 9 months ago
Oh, and I just saw that the previous post had questions, well...
- Instead of blocking, teammates will support the rugger with the ball, meaning they will remain close in order to receive a pass when a defender goes after him. If you watch videos closely, you will see plays by the back line with switches, skips, and loops designed to fake out the defenders and break open a hole.
- Being a back I didn't get in big rucks very often, but YES, with only one referee on the field, nasty things happen in those rucks. Usually they involve being cleated, as you try to rake the ball back and don't really care if the guys on the ground are there.
Rob
· 9 months ago
@ Ethan
I still have the scars on my hands, knees, arms, and stomach. I blacked out 3 times from concussions, never on the pitch. You will lose more teeth than in hockey, a lot more. And then you have another 79 minutes to play. When they say that the scrum cap is used for ear protection, they mean from getting bitten off. I am not kidding at all. Rugby is not for men, it is more for gentlemen.
Good basic overview of the game, did you include advantage? Women's rugby?
The rules of rugby are very simple, get ball, run to end of field, do not stop. If on the other side, stop them anyway possible.
Also, you didn't mention the Pumas, Eagles (USA!), Coques or any of the other teams, what about the Wallabies?!?!? More has to be included, a followup for sure.
In regards to shenanigans...there is a running joke in rugby that is used to explain why rugby shorts have pockets: one pocket for your mouthpiece, one for your brass knuckles.
River
· 9 months ago
As rough as rugby is, it is still a gentleman's sport. I play at the college level, and here in the Midwest we respect the other team and the Sir as we would our own teammates. That being said, rucks can get quite nasty sometimes. I've had to set a few guys straight for continually playing the ball on the ground and throwing punches in the rucks - big no-nos. Even a team that we literally fought on the field, right after the game we all had a social together and had no hard feelings. For the record I play 8 man.
Steve
· 9 months ago
Not to be too much of a nitpicker... but:
1) The conversion kick doesn't necessarily have to be from the 22... it just can't be any closer than 22 metres. Kickers can move the tee back if it gives them a better angle.
2) Kicking at goal on a penalty is NOT from the 22 metre line, it's from the spot of the penalty.
And as far as the shenanigans go, at my high school we used to say, football (soccer) is a game for gentlemen played by barbarians, and rugby is a game for barbarians played by gentlemen.
Gerhett
· 9 months ago
I am happy to see this article on this site. I played rugby for the first time this year. Despite, having 3 shoulder dislocations in 3 months, it has been the best team sport I have ever played. I plan on participating in this sport for many years.
Rugger for Life
· 9 months ago
I play collegiate rugby and no doubt it is the best sport ever. I'm a winger, and a rugger til death parts me from this game.
DD
· 9 months ago
A good variation is Rugby Sevens - as it suggests only 7 people, only 3 in a scrum, much shorter duration. It is a much faster, more athletic variant. I just got back from Dubai from the 2009 World Cup Sevens. A tournament can be played in a day, and the bigger teams from the full 15 man Rugby Union don't have the same advantage on a faster and smaller team. There are proposals to get this into the olympics which i fully support.
I quite enjoyed this article, thanks a lot. Although I must say having played both I prefer Rugby League it's faster and unlike rugby union you are allowed to tackle without putting your arms round the body which can lead to massive hits. Maybe I'm bias coming from a prominent rugby league town, but here's a video for your troubles.
Just to be clear, number 4 and 5 of the Rugby team are both called Locks (They lock the Hooker and Props into place)
Chris
· 9 months ago
@ Steve,
Thanks for the heads up. With an article this detailed I was bound to miss something. I've made the necessary changes.
Joe C.
· 9 months ago
actually, the conversion kick can be at any point on a line perpendicular to the try line, along the line of which the try was scored. many kickers, when the try is scored in the middle of the field, opt to make their conversion kicks from ~10-15 metres. i know i did, and i've seen the likes of jonny wilkinson, percy montgomery, carlos spencer, etc. do the same.
again, just small things. i fell in love with rugby at the college level, having never experienced it in any way beforehand. as things are right now, i am unable to play the game (no health insurance). there are, however, a few fun things that i will continue to do until my body no longer allows, and rugby is at the top of that list.
nice article, hutch daddy. hopefully it will keep fresh new bodies coming and rugby will take a firm hold in america... and finally be shown on tv on a regular basis!
Christopher
· 9 months ago
I used to watch rugby clubs play every year at a Highland games festival, I had no idea what was going on, but I knew it was awesome! Now know, thanks for the great summary.
Brohammas
· 9 months ago
You failed to mention the standards of American rugby. Internationally we are worse ar rugby than we are at soccer, despite being the defending Olymmpic gold medalists. The "Eagles", America's national team consists of mostly amateurs competing against proffessionals. As one would expect in such a situation we usually don't find much success. The two brightest spots in American rugby would be college powerhouse, the Cal Golden Bears, and Highland High school in SLC, Utah. Both schools dominate their competition and hold more than the majority of their respective natl. titles.
Highland High had a "Remember the Titans" style movie releaesd last year titled, "Forever Strong". Great watch for anyone who likes rugby.
Paul
· 9 months ago
The New Zealand haka is the most beautiful thing in rugby union and rugby league. (And i say this as an Australian, not a New Zealander.) I get shivers up & down my spine when i see it. The one in the video you linked to was even a little tame by some standards - those guys are scary when they really get going.
For AoM readers who want to see even higher levels of physical fitness, check out rugby league (closely related to rugby union, and more popular here in .au) and Australian rules football (a cross between rugby union and Gaelic football), which have less stops in play and generally play at a faster pace.
Amanda
· 9 months ago
Love rugby. My father played, my sister played, several friends. I'm too chicken. To me its many times better than American football because the action never stops. There are many women's teams too and they are just as much fun to watch.
Dawson
· 9 months ago
This is my first comment on here on AOM, though I've been reading for several months.
I never played rugby, but used to watch the two "clubs" (since they were not allowed to be official teams) at my high school years back. Never really knew much about what was going on, so this primer was great.
Always seemed like an exciting sport, and since distance and lack of funding has removed me from hockey, maybe I'll try something a little less equipment intensive and look up a local rugby team.
Thanks tons for the intro, it was a great primer!
Alasdair
· 9 months ago
aha, at last johnny foreigner is learning of the sport of gentlemen! just a heads up that the finest (imho) rugby competition in the world, the 6 nations, is currently happening in the UK. England v France, 15:00 GMT on sunday will be a cracking match of top class rugby fi you can find a way to watch it in the states i highley recomend it, i suspect if your town as an irish pub then atleast the irish games will be on there (and atm ireland are playing magnificently) watch out for chebal the french number 8 - built like a horse and as powerfull as one too, watch the tackle about 1minute into this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k05Lk5ROFI I intend to be watching it down the pub with a pint of bitter.. goodness knows whether any of these things exist in the US but they come similarly commended
Parkylondon
· 9 months ago
This is one of the best summaries of Rugby I've ever read. I played at school here in the UK and then afterwards for a few seasons. It's a rough tough game and it's the only one where you can basically be in an organised brawl for 80 minutes and then get completely leg less with the man who you punched (or who punched you) straight afterwards.
Remember: Football (soccer) is a gentlemans game played by hooligans; Rugby is a hooligans game played by gentlemen.
PS: A "mouthprotector" is more commonly known as a gumshield here. No body armour is usually worn unless you're an Australian.
PPS: Breaking News: The Australian Rugby Team practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field.
Practice was immediately suspended while police and federal investigators were called to investigate. After a complete analysis, investigating forensic experts determined that the white substance unknown to players was the try line.
Practice was resumed after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.
brian
· 9 months ago
best sport ever. and this from an american who dislikes american sports. thanks for covering this!
Mike
· 9 months ago
Great article, a couple of things changed in the lineout and maul rules this year due to the introduction of new rules, known as the ELVs (Experimental Law Variation).
Lineout: The Defensive team is no longer required to match the numbers of the attacking team in the lineout. It is now legal for the offensive team to have a 4-man lineout and the defending team to have more than that.
Maul: It is now legal to bring down a maul, so long as it is a legal tackle (i.e. between the shoulders and the knees).
An explanation of cards for egregious penalties (similar to flagrant and technical fouls in basketball) and the sin bin may be something else you wish to add.
Kurt
· 9 months ago
Great article. There were a few minor errors, but they were addressed above. Also, the pack players are often referred to as forwards. I have been playing rugby mostly as a number 8 or flanker for the past 7 years. I cannot think of a better game.
And yes, there is often a lot of "shenanigans" in rucks and mauls. By rule, a tackler has to roll away, and get himself out from under the ruck. If a player fails to do so, he is often given the boots. It is very common to see guys with rake marks from cleats in the showers. But, that is all part of the fun of the game. A little self-policing never hurt anyone.
I would definitely recommend joining your local club, as it can be a very rewarding experience. Rugby clubs are often the best social clubs around. There is nothing like hitting the piss out of each other for 80 minutes, and then buying the other guy a beer in the clubhouse after.
Kurt
· 9 months ago
Mike, I have heard rumors of the laws being changed to allow hands to be used in the rucks this year. Any truth to that?
lady brett
· 9 months ago
i hope rugby continues to pick up in the states. the first time i ever saw a rugby game was six nations rugby - ireland vs. england in a pub in belfast. it doesn't get better than that - it was absolutely love at first sight!
Brucifer
· 9 months ago
Granted that Rugby is rough and tumble and less wussy than other "sports." However, it is still lamentable that we find ourselves debating which system of chasing a silly ball around in one's underwear is more manly.
Would that men would turn their attention to back martial arts, shooting firearms, fencing, running, obstacle courses and the like. Face it chaps, modern "sports" co-opts male warrior prowess into a shadow-puppet of what once made men strong … and useful.
Ellis
· 9 months ago
a note on conversions... they don't need to be on the 22 yard line... you can take them from 10yards out if you wanted to. as long as its in line with where the ball is placed for the try.
also... you failed to mention Wales the current six nations champions.
other than that- this blog has made me very happy
Jeff
· 9 months ago
@Kurt
Yes you may use your hands, but only after the referee has declared the ruck won. If the ruck is still under contest, then it is still hands off.
Great article, BTW. I linked it to my team site for anyone wanting to learn the game.
M
· 9 months ago
Great article!
I was an inside or outside centre throughout highschool, and on my universitiy's intramural teams.
A highschool teammate of mine plays for Team Canada.
Picture?
· 9 months ago
Is the re supposed to be a picture of Lomu under wher it says "Here’s an example of Lomu working his magic:"
Travis
· 9 months ago
nice to see an appreciation for rugby
anyone part of the Florida Rugby Union?
Chris
· 9 months ago
@picture?,
We're having some technical problems with the video embeds. Should be back up shortly.
Liam
· 9 months ago
It's a great sport, my Stepdad is 48 and still plays for his veteran's team week in week out. I wish I had played at school, but being a state school we were played football, Every season I promise myself I am going to take it up, but in a country where most rugby players have been playing since they were 5 years old it's quite hard to get into as an adult. I love going down the club with my stepdad though, especially to watch the 6 nations, always good beer and good banter,
Sam
· 9 months ago
Great article, best one on rugby i've seen in a long time. The sport is one if the most dangerous as well, a few of my good friends play it, they regularly break or injure themselves, but continue to play. The players are some of the most disciplined for any sport. For that, i salute them, i was always rubbish at it, but its a great watch!
Ian Jennings
· 9 months ago
Nice article! But one quibble - passes don't have to go backwards. They just may not go forwards. So if they're judged absolutely flat (ie "lateral", in American), they're ok.
Dion
· 9 months ago
I have played rugby of both varieties (i live in Aus), and i have come to the following conclusions:
Union is a thugs game played by gentlemen. There are a plethora of legal ways to hurt a guy to your hearts content, and it is fun to rip a guy to the ground then legally stomp his head in when he doesn't let go of the ball (yes i have done this), but as a general rule the guys who play it are really nice, traditionally from upper class families. But i don't understand how i managed to screw both my shoulders completely in just two seasons. Oh well.
League is a gentleman's game played by thugs. It is a lot more structured with more rules to protect the player, but the hits are usually bigger with more head injuries. The players, however, are stereotypically and unruly bunch of beer-swilling, working class meatheads, who play the game because its easier to understand than union. That being said, it is an awesome game to watch, especially the State of Origin games, which players who started out in the states of Queensland and New South Wales battle it out for blood. These three games are watch more than any other league games, and if you only watch one game your whole life, make sure its and Origin decider.
That's rugby from the mind of an Aussie youngster.
Tim
· 9 months ago
A most excellent article. I played blindside flanker in high school and for my city team (winning the region that year), and was elected captain in HS as well. And although my first dislocation happened in a practice, and has fallen out almost 10 times since, I love the sport even though I can no longer play. The sport is big here in Canada, though that could be due to our strong ties back to the Commonwealth. Much more fun than American Football.
Josh
· 9 months ago
Really glad this was posted, I've been trying to figure out rugby since visiting Australia and New Zealand two summers (or i guess winters in the southern hemisphere) ago. Never was able to get into sports back here in the states other than MMA. Football was confusing, baseball and basketball both got boring after the first 10 seconds, but this was actually entertaining, even not having a clue as to what was going on.
Kurt
· 9 months ago
That video of Lomu is fantastic. He was a one-man wrecking crew.
By the way, rugby is one of the only sports that can track it's origins precisely. The story goes that in 1823, in Rugby, England, William Webb-Ellis picked up football, and ran with it.
Dave
· 9 months ago
GREAT post. Have been meaning to look into rugby for a long time, but never got around to it.
Does anyone know where online we can watch current matches streaming here in the US?
All Comments
A couple of questions:
-I guess this would be more clear when you see a real game, but if teammates aren't allowed to block defenders when their teammate has the ball, what do they do?
-How violent does it get in things like the ruck? I imagine its hard for the refs to see into the pile-are there lots of shenanigans going on in there?
Gentlemen with guts. Great Article.
- Instead of blocking, teammates will support the rugger with the ball, meaning they will remain close in order to receive a pass when a defender goes after him. If you watch videos closely, you will see plays by the back line with switches, skips, and loops designed to fake out the defenders and break open a hole.
- Being a back I didn't get in big rucks very often, but YES, with only one referee on the field, nasty things happen in those rucks. Usually they involve being cleated, as you try to rake the ball back and don't really care if the guys on the ground are there.
I still have the scars on my hands, knees, arms, and stomach. I blacked out 3 times from concussions, never on the pitch. You will lose more teeth than in hockey, a lot more. And then you have another 79 minutes to play. When they say that the scrum cap is used for ear protection, they mean from getting bitten off. I am not kidding at all. Rugby is not for men, it is more for gentlemen.
Good basic overview of the game, did you include advantage? Women's rugby?
The rules of rugby are very simple, get ball, run to end of field, do not stop. If on the other side, stop them anyway possible.
Also, you didn't mention the Pumas, Eagles (USA!), Coques or any of the other teams, what about the Wallabies?!?!? More has to be included, a followup for sure.
More resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_union
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Leonard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9bastien_Chabal
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvMFHXcd0yQ (though this level of violence is a bit much, those tackles are not well wrapped up for the most part)
And a shameless plug : http://ucscrugby.com/
1) The conversion kick doesn't necessarily have to be from the 22... it just can't be any closer than 22 metres. Kickers can move the tee back if it gives them a better angle.
2) Kicking at goal on a penalty is NOT from the 22 metre line, it's from the spot of the penalty.
And as far as the shenanigans go, at my high school we used to say, football (soccer) is a game for gentlemen played by barbarians, and rugby is a game for barbarians played by gentlemen.
See more at wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_sevens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhGEldMGoSM
Thanks for the heads up. With an article this detailed I was bound to miss something. I've made the necessary changes.
again, just small things. i fell in love with rugby at the college level, having never experienced it in any way beforehand. as things are right now, i am unable to play the game (no health insurance). there are, however, a few fun things that i will continue to do until my body no longer allows, and rugby is at the top of that list.
nice article, hutch daddy. hopefully it will keep fresh new bodies coming and rugby will take a firm hold in america... and finally be shown on tv on a regular basis!
Internationally we are worse ar rugby than we are at soccer, despite being the defending Olymmpic gold medalists. The "Eagles", America's national team consists of mostly amateurs competing against proffessionals. As one would expect in such a situation we usually don't find much success.
The two brightest spots in American rugby would be college powerhouse, the Cal Golden Bears, and Highland High school in SLC, Utah. Both schools dominate their competition and hold more than the majority of their respective natl. titles.
Highland High had a "Remember the Titans" style movie releaesd last year titled, "Forever Strong".
Great watch for anyone who likes rugby.
For AoM readers who want to see even higher levels of physical fitness, check out rugby league (closely related to rugby union, and more popular here in .au) and Australian rules football (a cross between rugby union and Gaelic football), which have less stops in play and generally play at a faster pace.
I never played rugby, but used to watch the two "clubs" (since they were not allowed to be official teams) at my high school years back. Never really knew much about what was going on, so this primer was great.
Always seemed like an exciting sport, and since distance and lack of funding has removed me from hockey, maybe I'll try something a little less equipment intensive and look up a local rugby team.
Thanks tons for the intro, it was a great primer!
watch the tackle about 1minute into this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k05Lk5ROFI
I intend to be watching it down the pub with a pint of bitter.. goodness knows whether any of these things exist in the US but they come similarly commended
Remember:
Football (soccer) is a gentlemans game played by hooligans; Rugby is a hooligans game played by gentlemen.
PS:
A "mouthprotector" is more commonly known as a gumshield here.
No body armour is usually worn unless you're an Australian.
PPS: Breaking News:
The Australian Rugby Team practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field.
Practice was immediately suspended while police and federal investigators were called to investigate. After a complete analysis, investigating forensic experts determined that the white substance unknown to players was the try line.
Practice was resumed after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.
Lineout: The Defensive team is no longer required to match the numbers of the attacking team in the lineout. It is now legal for the offensive team to have a 4-man lineout and the defending team to have more than that.
Maul: It is now legal to bring down a maul, so long as it is a legal tackle (i.e. between the shoulders and the knees).
An explanation of cards for egregious penalties (similar to flagrant and technical fouls in basketball) and the sin bin may be something else you wish to add.
And yes, there is often a lot of "shenanigans" in rucks and mauls. By rule, a tackler has to roll away, and get himself out from under the ruck. If a player fails to do so, he is often given the boots. It is very common to see guys with rake marks from cleats in the showers. But, that is all part of the fun of the game. A little self-policing never hurt anyone.
I would definitely recommend joining your local club, as it can be a very rewarding experience. Rugby clubs are often the best social clubs around. There is nothing like hitting the piss out of each other for 80 minutes, and then buying the other guy a beer in the clubhouse after.
Would that men would turn their attention to back martial arts, shooting firearms, fencing, running, obstacle courses and the like. Face it chaps, modern "sports" co-opts male warrior prowess into a shadow-puppet of what once made men strong … and useful.
also... you failed to mention Wales the current six nations champions.
other than that- this blog has made me very happy
Yes you may use your hands, but only after the referee has declared the ruck won. If the ruck is still under contest, then it is still hands off.
Great article, BTW. I linked it to my team site for anyone wanting to learn the game.
I was an inside or outside centre throughout highschool, and on my universitiy's intramural teams.
A highschool teammate of mine plays for Team Canada.
"Here’s an example of Lomu working his magic:"
anyone part of the Florida Rugby Union?
We're having some technical problems with the video embeds. Should be back up shortly.
The sport is one if the most dangerous as well, a few of my good friends play it, they regularly break or injure themselves, but continue to play. The players are some of the most disciplined for any sport. For that, i salute them, i was always rubbish at it, but its a great watch!
Union is a thugs game played by gentlemen. There are a plethora of legal ways to hurt a guy to your hearts content, and it is fun to rip a guy to the ground then legally stomp his head in when he doesn't let go of the ball (yes i have done this), but as a general rule the guys who play it are really nice, traditionally from upper class families. But i don't understand how i managed to screw both my shoulders completely in just two seasons. Oh well.
League is a gentleman's game played by thugs. It is a lot more structured with more rules to protect the player, but the hits are usually bigger with more head injuries. The players, however, are stereotypically and unruly bunch of beer-swilling, working class meatheads, who play the game because its easier to understand than union. That being said, it is an awesome game to watch, especially the State of Origin games, which players who started out in the states of Queensland and New South Wales battle it out for blood. These three games are watch more than any other league games, and if you only watch one game your whole life, make sure its and Origin decider.
That's rugby from the mind of an Aussie youngster.
By the way, rugby is one of the only sports that can track it's origins precisely. The story goes that in 1823, in Rugby, England, William Webb-Ellis picked up football, and ran with it.
Does anyone know where online we can watch current matches streaming here in the US?