Sports Rugby

Ankle Tap – Where a defender attempts to stop an attacking player by tapping him on the ankles. The defender strikes the ball carrier on the ankle from behind, causing him to lose balance.

Bomb – A high kick, generally aimed at the opposition fullback, in that hope that under pressure he drops the ball and loses possession. Also referred to as an up-and-under.

Box Kick – A high kick aimed at the opposition winger.

Breakdown – Occurs when play has been stopped temporarily and possession (especially possession of the ball) is being contested by both teams. A tackle is the main reason for a breakdown to occur.

Charge Down – The blocking of a kick by an opposition player.

Chip Kick – A short kick, usually directed over the top of the opposition’s defensive line, hoping it will be retrieved by the kicker or a team mate.

Clearing Kick – A kick aimed for the touchline, usually one is used when the team with the ball is under pressure from the opposition defence.

Every practice, fitness session or game you need to start with a well-organised and carefully planned warm-up.

It is best to spend ten to fifteen minutes stretching before you commence more strenuous training.

Stretching Exercises

A good warm up and stretching routine minimises the risk of injury and prepares your body for the harder work to come. As you improve your flexibility it prevents ligaments, joints and muscles from injury on the big game day.

Neck Stretches

This exercise is designed to stretch the muscles around your neck and shoulders.
1. With your right arm at your side and using your left arm, turn your head towards the top of your left shoulder.
2. Hold this position for about 15 seconds, then release.
Repeat the two steps on the other arm in the opposite direction.
Repeat the stretch 4-5 times alternating your arms.

Shoulder Stretches

This set of stretches focuses on teh main muscles in your upper body.
1. Raise your right arm above and behind your head so it is touching the back of your neck.
2. With your left hand touching the right elbow, push the elbow back slightly.
3. Hold the position for about 10 seconds, then release.
4. Repeat this stretch with your other arm.
Repeat the exercise 5-10 times, alternating arms.

Back Stretches

This set of exercises helps to strengthen the abdomen and extend and stretch the back.
1. Lie on your back and slowly pull your tucked knees to your chest.
2. Hold this position for 10 seconds, then release.
3. Straighten out your legs and roll over onto your stomach.
4. Keep your knees and hips on the ground, push up your upper body arching your back.
5. Hold this position for 10 seconds, then release.
Repeat the above sequence 5 times.

Leg Stretches

There are a selection of leg exercises. This exercises and flexes your calf muscles.
1. Position yourself as if you were about to start running a race. Place your left foot about 60cm in front of your right with both feet pointing forwards.
2. Bend your left knee, keep your body upright, shift your body weight forwards onto your left leg.
3. Straighten the right leg, keeping the heel on the ground.
4. Hold the position for 10 seconds, then release.
5. Change to the other leg and repeat the above process.
Repeat the stretches 5 times for each leg.

Thigh Stretches

There are a selection of leg exercises. The target of this exercise is to keep your thighs flexible.
1. Stand upright, keeping your back straight.
2. Bending at the knee, extend your right leg up behind you.
3. Grab your right leg near your ankle with your right hand.
4. Slowly pull your right leg back, stretching the front of the thigh.
5. Hold the position for 10 seconds, then release.
6. Repeat the stretch with your left leg.
Repeat this exercise 5 times for each leg.

Hamstring Stretch

There are a selection of leg exercises. To do this exercise you need the assistance of a prop (maybe a boundary fence, desk or table) that is about hip level. You will stretch the muscles at the back of your thighs.
1. Place your right leg fully extended on the top of your prop, so that your leg is horizontal with the ground.
2. Bend forward and grab hold of your leg with both hands, take it slowly and do not overexert yourself.
3. Hold the position for 20 seconds, then release.
4. Repeat this stretch with your left leg.
Repeat the stretch 5 times for each leg.

Other stretches can be added to this routine. A full range of stretches will help you plan the best stretch program for you. Remember to go through the stretches at the end of your fitness session, game or training period.

A Compilation of some of the best rugby tries in recent history

Duration : 0:4:19

To view video, please click on post title

Read the rest of this entry »

2008 Canterbury Crusaders (NZ) 20 – Waratahs (Australia) 12 played in Christchurch

2007 Bulls (South Africa) 20 – Sharks (South Africa) 19 played in Durban, South Africa

2006 Crusaders (NZ) 19 – Hurricanes (NZ) 12 played in Christchurch

2005 Crusaders (NZ) 47 – Hurricanes (NZ) 7 played in Christchurch

2004 ACT Brumbies (Australia) 47 – Canterbury Crusaders (New Zealand) 38

2003 Auckland Blues (New Zealand) 21 – Canterbury Crusaders 17

2002 Canterbury Crusaders 31 – ACT Brumbies 13

2001 ACT Brumbies 36 – Sharks (South Africa) 6

2000 ACT Brumbies 19 – Canterbury Crusaders 20

1999 Otago Highlanders (New Zealand) 19 – Canterbury Crusaders 24

1998 Auckland Blues 13 – Canterbury Crusaders 20

1997 Auckland Blues 23 – ACT Brumbies 7

1996 Auckland Blues 45 – Natal (South Africa) 21

Some more Rugby Playing Terms:

Conversion – When a try is scored, the team that scored the try is allowed a free shot at the goal. If successful, two points are added to their score.

Counter Attack – The attacking move in response to an opposition attack, where the ball has passes from one team to another.

Cross Kick – This is the term for a kick across the ground aimed towards the attacking team’s openside winger, who plans to run through the defence and re-gather the ball.

Cut Out Pass – A pass that deliberately misses one or more players then goes to the next player in the attacking line.

Dead – The ball is said to be ‘dead’ when it is out of play. This occurs when the ball has gone outside the playing area and remained there, or when the referee has blown the whistle to indicate a stoppage, or when a conversion kick is being taken.

Decoy – A player who makes out that he is about to receive the ball in an attempt to deceive the opposition’s defensive line. You will hear the person referred to as a ‘decoy runner’.

Defence – Used by one team to stop the other team when it is attacking.

The All Blacks vs Wallabies test kicks off soon.

Teams: 

All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett. 

Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Adam Thomson, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams. 

Wallabies: Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (c), James Horwill, Rob Simmons , Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu. 

Reserves : Saia Faingaa, Pekahou Cowan, Dan Vickerman , Matt Hodgson, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, Lachie Turner.

We will keep you posted with live updates of how the match is going…
Dane Rumble has done his thing…getting close to starting now…

The atmosphere is festive…a great energy from predominantly All Blacks supporters…the crowd is 54500.  This is the biggest crowd in years.

At 2 mins All Blacks 0 Wallabies 0

6 mins All Blacks 3 Wallabies 0 Carter kicks a penalty from 40 metres out

10 mins All Blacks 10 Wallabies 0 Try to Nonu

Weepu made a break down the short side and the All Blacks moved the ball out to Sitiveni Sivivatu who was pulled down 5 metres out.  Kaino kept the continuity alive and Nonu burst over to give the All Blacks a fantastic start.  Then Carter converted from wide out.

26 mins All Blacks 17 Wallabies 0

Weepu breaked away down the short side again and linked to Sivivatu again.  A quick ball from the Blacks gave Nonu a chance for a short break with Keven Mealamu over for a try.  Converted by Carter.

Sivivatu is playing a fantastic defence game.  He has stopped at least 3 tries.

Halftime – All Blacks 17 Wallabies 0

Although the territory probably favoured the Wallabies, the All Blacks defence has been strong with great skills.  Weepu, Sivivatu and Nonu have featured in both tries and really stand out although the forward pack has provided the quick ball when needed leading to each of the tries.

43 min O’Connor missed his third penalty attempt

48 min All Blacks 20 Wallabies 0

Carter a classy drop-goal

52 min All Blacks 20 Wallabies 7

A try to the Wallabies!  Horwill snatches a turnover and passes to Beale down the short side who passes to Digby Loane, he races 40 metres and side steps Mils for a great try.  Cooper takes this kick and converts.

55 Min All Blacks 27 Wallabies 7

Read taps Carter’s kick-off back to Conrad Smith who races down and passes to Sivivatu for a try.  Converted by Carter.

60 min All Blacks 27 Wallabies 7

Ellis and Hore came on for Keven Mealamu and Piri Weepu who were applauded as they left the field.

69 min All Blacks 30 Wallabies 7

Carter is successful with another penalty and onto the field comes Sonny Bill Williams…

74 min All Blacks 30 Wallabies 14

Rocky Elsom over for a try – converted by Cooper

That is it folks…Full Time Score All Blacks 30 Wallabies 14

Many signals that a referee makes are immediately understandable. They reflect the play that has just occurred. Signals are used by the referee to indicate to the players and spectators why penalties have been awarded, when a team has been awarded a free kick, given advantage in play, and for scoring play.

The referee is the person responsible for knowing how much time has been played and is left to be played. When it comes to time, what he say’s, goes.

Advantage – To indicate that a team has advantage, the referee will stretch his arm out at waist height, pointing it towards the non offending team. The indication lasts for around five seconds. It means that rather than stop play to give a penalty, the referee is allowing play to continue when the non-offending team are on attack.

Award of Scrum Feed – Feeding the scrum is the team gets to put the ball into the scrum. The referee points his arm towards the team that gets the scrum feed while standing facing the sideline, with his arm horizontal and at waist height.

Forward Pass – The referee makes an emphasized hand gesture as if he has just made an imaginary pass that has gone well forward. He will give the scrum put in to the team that did not make the mistake.

Free-Kick – The referee raises his arm, bent square at the elbow. The arm will be pointing towards the team that has been given the free kick.

Handling in a ruck or scrum – The referee bends forwards and lowers his arm towards the ground. He then moves his arm backwards and forwards as if he has handled an imaginary ball on the ground.

High tackle – The referee will hold is arm straight over his neck, under his chin. This shows to all the players that someone has made an illegal high tackle.

Killing the ball – The referee will point his arm downwards and move it up and down. This shows to all the players on the pitch that a player did not stay on their feet as they joined a ruck.

Knock On – The referee raises his arm above his head and moves his open hand backwards and forwards. Then, he will tap the palm of that hand with the other, to show to all the players that the ball has been knocked forward.

Obstruction – The referee crosses both his arms across his chest, like a pair of open scissors. This indicates to all the players that one player has stopped another illegally.

Penalty Kick – The referee faces the sideline and with his arm straight and angled upwards, points towards the non-offending team. The non-offending team has the options of a penalty kick or a scrum.

Slow Release – The referee brings both his hands to his chest, as if he is holding an imaginary ball. This shows in his opinion a player has not released the ball straight away at the tackle. He will give a penalty to the non-offending side at the place where the offence took place.

Stamping – The referee raises one leg, bent at the knee and then moves it up and down, as if to stamp on an imaginary ball.

Throw In Not Straight at a Line Out – The referee raises one hand above his head with his shoulders in line with the touch line. He will then move that arm backwards and forwards to show the ball was not thrown in straight by the hooker.

Try/Penalty Try – The referee stands on the try line and, facing the team that scored, raises his arm straight above his head while he blows his whistle. His back will be towards the dead ball line.

There are a few basic ways to put points on the rugby scoreboard. They are the try, penalty try, conversion, penalty goal and the drop goal (also known as field goal or drop kick).

Watching rugby makes much more sense and becomes far more enjoyable when you understand the rugby scoring system. Once explained it is quite simple to follow and once you grasp the points value for each activity you will find the game more exciting.

Ways to Score in Rugby

The conversion and the penalty goal require a specialist kicker to place the ball and kick it between the vertical goal posts and over the crossbar of the goal posts. The kicker may choose between using a kicking tee, pile of sand or sawdust to kick the ball from. He steps back and then runs up to the ball before kicking between the posts.

A field goal (also known as drop goal, or drop kick) is different to a conversion in that the player drops the ball from his hands and attempts to kick the ball over the crossbar and between the vertical goal posts during the run of play. It is a specialist skill, and field goals are rare – they take perfect timing and lots of practice to master.

A referee can award a penalty try if he believes the defending team deliberately fouled the attacking team in order to prevent them finishing a move that would have resulted in a try being scored. The official phrase is ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.

To indicate this, the referee runs to a central point beneath the crossbar of the goalposts, raises his arm and blows his whistle. The attacking team gets the opportunity of a conversion kick with the opportunity to add points to the score.

Gathering Rugby Points

Scoring a try is the best way to rack up points in rugby. A try is scored when the attacking team crosses the defending teams goal-line and puts the ball on the ground in their in-goal area. When a try is scored the referee raises his arm and blows his whistle. Both the try and the penalty try are worth 5 points each.

When a try is scored the referee stands at the point where the try was scored and points in a line back up the field parallel to the sidelines. The goal kicker can take the conversion attempt at any point along that line.

Usually the kicker takes the conversion attempt somewhere he/she feels comfortable around 20 – 30 metres from the goalposts. Kicking a conversion adds 2 points to the try scoring side. When a team successfully kicks a penalty goal they are awarded 3 points.

When a team is making a conversion attempt, the defending team must stand on or behind the goal line. As the kicker prepares to take the conversion, the players are allowed to rush the kicker as he begins his run at the ball.

The tally for a converted try to a total of 7 points (5 for the try and 2 for the conversion).

Rugby Scores

A top class goal kicker in your team, with a specialist field goal kicker or two, most certainly makes a great start for any team to get their best rugby score. It also puts pressure on any team they play.

For any team to reach the top there is a requirement for an outstanding goal kicker to be in their team. Goal kickers are immensely valuable as there are many indiscretions in the play of a normal rugby game.

Any of these indiscretions being made in a team’s defensive area of play gives an opportunity for their opponents to score valuable points against them. A kicker who can successfully kick a goal from any area of the field immediately puts huge pressure on the opposing team.

Please note: Game dates/times are stated in NZ times – not local time.

All results are provisional until 6pm Monday night following the latest round.

Welsh National Anthem – Rugby Crowd Sing at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales.

Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau Lyrics: Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi, Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri; Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd, Tros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed. Cytgan Gwlad, Gwlad, pleidiol wyf i’m gwlad. Tra môr yn fur i’r bur hoff bau, O bydded i’r hen iaith barhau. Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd, Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn i’m golwg sydd hardd; Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si Ei nentydd, afonydd i mi. Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwald tan ei droed, Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ac erioed, Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad, Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad.

Translation: The Land Of My Fathers The land of my fathers, the land of my choice, The land in which poets and minstrels rejoice; The land whose stern warriors were true to the core, While bleeding for freedom of yore. Chorus Wales! Wales! fav’rite land of Wales! While sea her wall, may naught befall To mar the old language of Wales. Old mountainous Cambria, the Eden of bards, Each hill and each valley, excite my regards; To the ears of her patriots how charming still seems The music that flows in her streams. My country tho’ crushed by a hostile array, The language of Cambria lives out to this day; The muse has eluded the traitors’ foul knives, The harp of my country survives.

Duration : 0:1:32

Read the rest of this entry »