Sports Rugby

 The basic aim of rugby is to score a try.  A try is when the team attacking puts the ball on the ground in the opposition’s in-goal area.  The in-goal area is the part of the field from the line that the goal posts are positioned along, widthwise across the field and back to the line behind the posts.  It forms a rectangular area.  The team that scores the try is awarded five points for having done so. 

After a try is scored, the team that scored the try then has the opportunity to kick a conversion.  The ball is placed up the field in line with the position along the try line, where the try was scored.  The ball is kicked from this point between the goalposts.  If successful, two points are awarded for the conversion.

A try is similar to a touchdown in American football with the major difference being that a try requires the player to touch the ball against the ground.  In both forms of rugby the term touchdown refers only to the physical act of touching the ball down in the opposition’s in-goal area.

In rugby games today if the referee is unsure as to whether or not a try has been scored he has the option to go upstairs to the video referee.  The person up there has the advantage of being able to watch video reruns from different video cameras before making the decision as to whether the try is legitimate.

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10 metre line – The imaginary line behind which an offside player must move in order to take part in the game.

22 metre line – The line marked on the ground between the halfway line and a team’s goal line or tryline.

Advantage line – When an attack heads further downfield from the spot where it first received the ball, the advantage line is deemed to be where the ball was first received.

Corner flag – The flag situated in each corner of the playing field.

Crossbar – The bar joining the two uprights of the goalposts. For a conversion or penalty goal to be successful, it must go over the crossbar.

Dead ball line – The far end lines of the field.

Field of play – The ground on which a rugby match is actually played.

Goal line – The line that has to be crossed for a team to score a try. For this reason, the goal line is often called the tryline.

Halfway line – Marks the centre of the field where the game is started and also restarted after successful tries or penalty goals.

In-goal area – The area in which tries are scored.

Touch line – The two lines situated on either side of the field. A ball is described as going ‘into touch’ when it crosses either of those two lines and goes out of the field of play.

Here are a few unusual stories about rugby tries:

The Enthusiastic Try – In the late 1950s, George Nepia, recognised as probably New Zealand’s greatest fullback, was well into retirement although he continued to play in social matches. In one of these games, the ball hit him perfectly in the chest. Noticing a gap straight in front of him, he sprinted for the line and grounded the ball right under the posts. There was only one problem – he was the referee.

The Fastest Try in Test History – This was scored by Scotland’s New Zealand import, John Leslie. With only 9 seconds on the clock, Leslie scored a try in the test against Wales at Murrayfield in 1999.

The Held-up Try – This try was scored during a game in Builth Wells, in Wales during the early 1900’s. The visiting fullback kicked the ball into some tree branches that were overhanging the pitch. Surprise, surprise – the ball got stuck in the branches. While officials went off to find another ball and the players had a rest on the field, the ball suddenly fell from the tree. A quick thinking player grabbed the ball and scored under the posts. The opposition naturally complained but the referee awarded the try because, under local rules, the ball had not gone out of play…

The Joint Test Try – This was the only jointly awarded test try being scored by Welsh players Howie Jones and Harry Peacock. The try was scored in a test match against Ireland in 1930. The referee was unable to sort out which player grounded the ball, so the only joint try in an international game was awarded.

Some of the best All Blacks rugby tries ever.

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The ruck is formed in rugby when players from each team make scrum formation over the ball in an attempt to gain possession by foot.   The physical contact is made with the opposition and the stronger scrum formation drives over the ball on the ground until it is behind their feet.

In the ruck players do not need to take their scrum positions.  Those players first to the ball form the front row.  The body is kept low using strong grips.  All forwards watch the ball and apply weight in the best position to clear the ball.

The best ruck is when your team are first to the ball in the greatest numbers, getting quick possession while the opposition is off balance and out of position.

In rugby, the ruck and maul are key platforms for launching an attack from second phase play.  In a ruck the players are attempting to gain possession of the ball on the ground, usually by foot. 

In a maul the players attempt to gain possession of the ball off the ground or by hand.  A ruck may become a maul or a maul may become a ruck. 

The essence of good rucking is the players’ body position which should be low, with the back horizontal and the feet in a pushing stance, not too wide apart and having weight on the toes.

The ruck is a key piece of play in a rugby game and good rucking can keep a team on to of the game.

So you have decided that you would quite like to play rugby – now what type of Rugby do you want to play – will it be Rugby Union or Rugby League?

Well here are some of the main differences –

Rugby Union has lineouts; rugby league doesn’t.

Rugby Union has unlimited tackles. In Rugby League, the attacking team has a limit of six tackles to do whatever they can with the ball. After the sixth tackle, the ball is handed over to the opposition; they then have six tackles to do whatever they like. And so it goes on.

In Rugby Union, a tackled player must let go of the ball, whereas in league, a tackled player can retain possession.

One of the other differences, one less likely to affect your choice as to which to play, is that Rugby Union has 15 players and Rugby League only has 13 players.

The half-back is the vital link between the rugby team forwards and backs. The person who plays in this position must be agile, strong, and mentally alert also having the skill to deliver a variety of passes with speed, distance and accuracy.

Each pass needs to be controlled and without waste movement while different situations will dictate the type of pass to be used.

An understanding and flow must exist between the No. 8, the half-back and the first five-eighth. It is essential to the development of effective attacking play.

A half-back must master a variety of kicks, the ability to break and also have a sound defensive ability especially with huge forwards attacking him. (That’s where the agility comes in). Confidence is paramount in this position and mastery plus, of all skills.

When rugby teams are chosen, the first player chosen is the half-back. Agility and quickness as both a physical and mental quality is important for this position.

The speed of the half-back gives the extra second for a drop goal or an advance of play by the back-line.

Capable hands are another essential. The half-back handles the ball often and awkward fingers will strangle your teams attacking efforts before they begin.

When you first take an interest in rugby it may help to know the names of some of the major rugby tournaments, who they are between and a little competition terminology. You will find them here:

Bledisloe Cup – The annual competition between Australia and New Zealand. This event has been held since 1931 and is always highly contested.

Calcutta Cup – Matches involving teams from England and Scotland.

Grand Slam – A term used in a tournament, when one team beats all the others in the one season. It may also be used to describe an international team winning all major tests on a tour.

Hong Kong Sevens – This tournament has been a highlight of the international rugby calendar since the early 1970’s. The world’s best rugby players are usually not involved in seven-a-side as the schedule clashes with the major rugby events. Some countries use the tournament as a series build up and test new, promising players.

New South Wales Premiership – This is the name of the New South Wales, Australia, club competition.

Ranfurly Shield – A provincial championship competition in New Zealand. The Ranfurly Shield is a highly sought after ‘log of wood’ for the extra financial returns to the province holding the shield. The shield is usually defended on home territory.

Rugby World Cup – A competition held every four years to determine which nation has the best rugby union team in the world.

Six Nations – The annual tournament played by England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy.

Super 14 – The annual tournament involving the 14 top provincial teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The tournament changed from the Super 12 in 2004.

Test Match – This is a match between teams from two different countries.

Tri-Nations – The annual tournament involving Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Triple Crown – The term used in the Six Nations tournament when the team from England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales has beaten the other three teams.

Webb-Ellis Trophy – The trophy played for in the Rugby World Cup.

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How to Play Rugby

Learn how to take a rugby ball into a tackle safely with advanced tips and techniques in this free online sports video.

Expert: Alex Baer Contact: www.maggots.org Bio: Alex Baer has played rugby for college and the Missoula Maggots for 10 years and is a certified coach. Filmmaker: Paige Williams

Duration : 0:1:7

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How to Play Rugby

Learn how to catch a kick in rugby with advanced tips and techniques in this free online sports video.

Expert: Alex Baer Contact: www.maggots.org Bio: Alex Baer has played rugby for college and the Missoula Maggots for 10 years and is a certified coach. Filmmaker: Paige Williams

Duration : 0:1:13

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