Hey, E.E., talk to us about RUGBY!

[ballzack]

Hey E.

Let's talk Rugby. Just got a new television service and I now get a lot of foreign soccer (football to you) and Rugby matches. So educate us Yanks.

What position do you play? What are the major positions and what does each do?

What are the basic rules? Scoring? Object?

Yea, we could look it up online, but why not get a player's input.

The most I know about Rugby is that I owned a Rugby shirt when they were popular in the early 80's here!

Thanks!

[ballzack]

Is Rugby that boring?

[England Expects]

My apoligies Zack, I've only just seen this.

Rugby has many things in common with US football.

The main way of scoring is to take the ball into the opositions "end zone" and place the ball on the ground. This is called a "try" and is worth 5 points. After scoring a try, you get the opportunity to score another 2 points by kicking a field goal (called a conversion). You can also drop-kick the ball between the posts for 3 points at any time during the game.

However, there are many differences. You are not allowed to pass the ball forwards; you cant throw the ball 50 yards to a reciever to carry over. We play two 40 minute halves instead of quaters. The game flows much more. Once a player is tackled to the ground, the game doesn't stop; its then up to supporting players to contest for posession. You cant tackle or block a player that does not have the ball.

Each team has 15 players at any time. You're allowed to make 3 replacements in the game, unless a player has a blood injury in wheich case you can make a temporary replacement while the injured player is patched or stitched up.

A team is made up of 8 "forwards" and 7 "Backs". Each has a different job to do and I can explain in more detail if you like, but very loosly, the forwards are the big powerhouses. It's their job to win the ball, secure it and pass it to the backs, who are usually quicker, lighter and supposedly more skillful.

My position is Loose-head prop (no jokes please). The props are usually the heaviest players on the pitch. This guy is currently the England loose-head, Andrew Sheridan http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby...sp?HeroID=4681.

In the English league, the two main teams are London Wasps and Leicester Tigers. Wasps more skillful and pleasing to watch, Tigers more powerful and to be frank, brutal. In Ireland Munster (from Limerick) and Leinster (Dublin) are the most sucessful and there are some excellent teams in France such as Toulouse, Perpignan and Stade Francais. These teams all compete in their domestic leagues as well as the Heineken Cup, which is basically a competition for the best teams in Europe.

This is a great site to have a look at and learn more.

http://www.rugbydump.com/

[General Septem]

Isn't it true that rugby players wear minimal padding while playing? I imagine things like mouthguards are used, but I heard that significantly less padding is used in rugby than in football.

[ballzack]

OK, thanks. To me, this is fascinating, and I'm not placating you. I'm serious. I very much like to broaden horizons. I love sports, and this year, want to get into Rugby (to understand it and enjoy it) since I never have. It's new and exciting to me. I'm burnt out on American Football, and although still love Baseball, it's almost over here in the U.S.

This was a GREAT first tutoral for me.

I'll check out the links tonight big time. Question, in Europe WHAT IS THE STANDARD RUBGY SEASON? I suspect we are either at the beginning or the end, and if the end, don't want to be disappointed when the games suddenly disappear from my television.

I think I am watching them on ESN (European Sports Network) - if such a thing exists across the pond. Might be an American channel for funneling euro-sports into the U.S.

Keep me posted. Thanks!!!

Zack

[England Expects]

Isn't it true that rugby players wear minimal padding while playing? I imagine things like mouthguards are used, but I heard that significantly less padding is used in rugby than in football.

Everyone uses mouthguards; the risk of concussion without one would be too much.

When I first started playing that would be it, maybe some players would tape their ears down to avoid cauliflower ears. These days however there is more available. For the first time in my life, this year I'm wearing body armour. Its basically a lycra vest with foam padding that's about half an inch thick on each shoulder and over the sternum.

Some forwards wear scum caps, which are basically foam and neoprene head guards, but I dont see the point; I've been plaing since I was 11 and I've never needed one.

It does make me smile when I see US footballers padded up like Robocop.

[England Expects]

Zack,

If you're watching Rugby for the first time, the best advice I can give is listen to the referee. He'll have a mic on him and he should explain every decision he makes. You'll hear every player address him as "Sir"!

In the northern hemisphere, the season runs from September to May. Interspersed with that are lots of international games, which are very important to the sport. The southern hemisphere nations (NZ, Australia, S Africa and maybe Argentina or Fiji) tour the UK to play England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland in November.

In the spring there is the 6 nations tournament. A league contested by England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy.

Over the summer, the southern hemisphere season gets into swing. Every 5 years the British and Irish send a tour team to the south to play exibition games. Its considered the highest honour for a Brit to be picked for the Britis Lions. Next summer they play in South Africa.

If your ever in the UK Zack, let me know and I'll take you to a game.

[ballzack]

Are you shitting me? Hell, I'll come over just for that! Too bad the Concord is not still flying, but I'll hope for a brisk tail-wind.

You buy the tickets, I'll pick-up skittles and beer! (A.K.A. Dinner anywhere you want! - In the UK or France anyway!)

Sounds like a plan.

[England Expects]

On Sunday March 15th, England play France in the 6 Nations.

I can get tickets for this through our Rugby club, but I need to book them now. If you're serious Zack, let me know as soon as possible. It's virtually impossible for the general public to buy these without spending £1000.

This game would be the best for you to come to. Games at club level get maximum 20k attendance. There will be 82k at Twickenham in London for this game.

[ballzack]

Sure, E.E., thanks for the offer. That match sounds like fun, and it's been 10 years since I have been to London! six years since visiting France so I'd probably pop over for a Croissant! Let me confirm my schedule (if that's possible this far out), and I'll RSVP via Private Message!
Give me a week to see what's what with my schedule. It all depends on that and I may not be able to confirm this far in advance, but I'll try.

Stay tuned...