Rugby 🏉

1. Wallabies
2. Wallaroos
3. Brumbies
4. Rebels
5. Reds
6. Waratahs
7. Western Force
8. Rugby WA
9. NSW
10. QLD

BASIC RULES:

Rugby prides itself on values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect. Rugby Union can be played in both contact and non-contact forms with both elite or social levels of tournaments. Rugby can also be one of the most physical sports so players must physically and mentally prepared and most importantly understand how to play safely. 

The objective of the game is to score more points than the opposition team in the 80 minute time frame by advancing the ball forward by running, kicking or passing to fellow teammates in the hopes of scoring. There are different scoring options that can occur but the main objective is to score a ‘try’ which is worth 5 points, the other option is scoring a ‘conversion’ which is worth 2 points. There is also the option of a ‘penalty kick/goal’ when a penalty is awarded kick is awarded to the other team, this is worth 3 points. The team with the greater number of points at full time is announced as the winner.

The team with the ball must move the ball up the field to score a try. The role of the team without the ball is to prevent the advancement of the ball and can stop the attacking team by tackling players and trying to retain the ball by including moves such as the tackle, ruck, maul, re-starts and set-piece. The ball cannot be passed forwards between players, but individual players can run forwards with the ball or kick the ball forwards to chase it down.

PLAYERS AND EQUIPMENT:

Each rugby team consists of 15 players. The team is split into two groups known as forwards and backs. There are 8 forwards players and 7 back players. Studded boots are worn during the game along with gum shields. Each team member must wear the same coloured jerseys with matching shorts and socks. 

SCORING:

Points can be scored one of three ways:

• A try – awarded when a player places the ball down in their opponents goal. 
• A conversion – a free kick that the team is awarded after a try to earn 2 bonus points. 
• A penalty kick – awarded to a team when the opposing team causes an infringement

ORIGINS:

Rugby is believed to have started at a school in Warwickshire, England in 1823 when William Web Ellis during a game of football decided to pick up a ball and run with it. This is not a sure fact but the Rugby World Cup Trophy is now named after Ellis. The game continued to move onto boarding schools and clubs with offical rules being set in 1863, and in 1871 the Rugby Football Union was officially formed. In that same year the first official international match was played between England and Scotland with Scotland taking the win 1-0.

SUMMER OLYMPICS:

Rugby was first introduced to the Summer Olympics by Pierre de Coubertin who already had his fair share of history with the game. France, Germany, and Great Britain all entered for the olympics with France coming out victorious defeating both teams. It drew one of the largest crowds against the other sports that year and Rugby was next played at the 1908 Olympic games in London. By 1908 New Zealand, Australia and South Africa had also formed strong teams and were playing internationally. 1905 was in fact the first time New Zealand performed the Haka before a match which the Welsh responding by having Teddy Morgan sing their national anthem. This was the first time a national anthem was performed prior to a sporting event. Despite the large crowds it was dropped from the Summer Olympics in 1924. Fast forward to 2009 and Rugby was finally back on the Olympic scene in the 2016 Rio Janeiro games.

RUGBY WORLD CUP:

The first Rugby World Cup was in 1987 and held in both Australia and New Zealand (semi-finals were played in Aus and the finals in NZ), in the end it was the All Blacks from New Zealand who defeated France in the final. England hosted the next world cup in 1901 losing to Australia in the finals. By the third world cup South Africa came back from international exile and also hosted the tournament as well as beating the All Blacks in the final.

1999: 4th world cup was held in Wales. Australia defeated France in the finals

2003: Australia hosted and for the 3rd time in world cup history made it into the finals. This was a very close game with the game going into over time and England winning after a last minute goal.

2007: Hosted by France although some matches were played in Wales and Scotland. South Africa won the final against England.

2011: The All Blacks hosted and claimed victory against France in the finals

2015: England hosted and despite being favourites didn’t even make it to the finals. Instead it was the All Blacks against Australia, with the All Blacks winning and becoming the first team in rugby world cup history to win three titles.

2019: The 9th World Cup was held in Japan in 12 venues across the country. This was the first time the tournament had taken place in Asia and outside the traditional Tier 1 rugby nations. The first three matches were cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis with worries the impact on safety the Typhoon would have. South Africa went on to win in the final against England making this their third title, equalling New Zealand’s title.