Rugby (sport)
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Rugby Union
Rugby Union (often simply rugby) refers to a team sport popular in the UK, France, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and throughout the south Pacific region. American Football is derived from it and shares a few similarities. Rugby League and Australian Rules Football are also related sports.
Manner of play
Two teams of fifteen players (8 forwards and 7 backs) carry, pass (only backwards or laterally) and kick the ball down the field with the goal of touching the ball down over the opposition's try-line, (the equivalent of the end zone in America football). Players may push or tackle an opposition player who is carrying the ball. Once a player carrying the ball is tackled, that player must release the ball and all players who are on their feet may attempt to collect the ball. The game is played with an oval shaped ball, similar to an American Football but rounder and slightly larger. The pitch is 100metres by 50m with an in-goal of between 10 and 20m.
When minor infringements, such as dropping the ball and propelling it forward (a "knock on") or a forward pass occur, the game is restarted with a "scrum". A scrum consists of the 8 forwards from each team binding onto one another and pushing whilst another, the halfback puts the ball in the middle and both teams attempt to kick the ball back to their side. When the ball goes out of play or "into touch", the game is restarted with a lineout. A lineout consists of a number of players from each team forming two straight lines a metre apart and a player throwing the ball down the middle. When more serious infringements such as foul play and offsides occur, a penalty is awarded which allows the non-offending team to have a free kick of the ball or to have a shot at goal.
Scoring
When the ball is touched down by a ball carrier in his opponents in-goal a "try" is scored. Scoring a try awards 5 points and enables the team to attempt a "conversion." A conversion is taken by kicking the ball from a stationary position on the ground (usually with the help of a kicking tee or a small mound of dirt) over the "crossbar" of the H-shaped posts which awards the team an additional 2 points. A successful penalty kick is worth 3 points. A drop-goal (also worth 3 points) can be taken at any time during the game by dropping the ball on the ground and kicking it over the crossbar. The term 'try' relates to the scoring team being entitled to have a 'try at goal'. In fact, under the original rules when the sport was in its infancy, no points were awarded for the try itself.
History
The game is said to have originated in the 1830s at Rugby School in England. Rugby quickly spread to all of the United Kingdom and France and by the 1880s to the colonies of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The game was popular in California around the turn of the century. The game split in 1895 over professionalism. The Rugby Union demanded (with varying degrees of effectiveness) complete amateurism for the game; the newly-formed Rugby League allowed players to be paid. Rugby Union remained amateur until 1995. Rugby featured at the olympics until 1924, with the United States winning the last Olympic medal. In 1987 the first world cup was held with New Zealands' All Blacks winning at home. Since then the world cup has been won by Australia (twice) South Africa (twice) and England (once). A notable feature of the world game since the World Cup Era began, has been the dominance of the All Blacks between world cups but their inability to win the main prize.
Rugby League
Rugby League (commonly "league") is a sport that is popular in Australia, England and New Zealand. It differs from rugby union in its rules, club structure and the typical socio-economic status of its adherents.
Manner of play
The game is played between 2 teams of 13 players, comprising of 6 forwards and 7 backs. The principle difference with union is when a player is tackled, the game immediately stops and the defending team must retreat 10 metres. The tackled player then rolls the ball back between his legs and the game continues. The attacking team has a maximum of 6 tackles before the ball must be handed over to the opposition. This rule avoids the need for the often time-consuming struggle for the ball after a tackle in rugby union. Lineouts are replaced by scrums and scrums are not competitive as they are in rugby union. Trys are valued at 4 points and conversions and penalties at two. A drop goal or "field goal" is worth one point
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