Understanding Rugby Union
Rugby Union is a sport which is rumoured to have been started in 1823 when William Webb-Ellis picked up a soccer ball and ran with it. Today the sport has evolved into a popular team sport with over 5 million registered players worldwide.
The game of Rugby Union involves two teams in a constant battle for possession of the ball. The object of the game is to attempt to score more points than the opposition during two 40 minute halves.
A try is scored when a player is able to cross the end line and place the ball on the ground. Standing in his way though are 15 opposition players who will try their best to stop him! Scoring a try earns 5 points for the try-scorers' team.
After a try is scored, the best kicker in the team will attempt to kick the ball between the poles for a conversion. If he is successful, a further two points will be added to his teams' total.
Every four years the best teams in the world compete for the William Webb-Ellis trophy in the Rugby World Cup, and while New Zealand are the current holders of this trophy, the most successful team at the tournament is Australia who are represented by the Wallabies.
There are many domestic rugby competitions played, the toughest of which is the Super 15 which is contested between 5 teams each from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The game of Rugby Union involves two teams in a constant battle for possession of the ball. The object of the game is to attempt to score more points than the opposition during two 40 minute halves.
A try is scored when a player is able to cross the end line and place the ball on the ground. Standing in his way though are 15 opposition players who will try their best to stop him! Scoring a try earns 5 points for the try-scorers' team.
After a try is scored, the best kicker in the team will attempt to kick the ball between the poles for a conversion. If he is successful, a further two points will be added to his teams' total.
Every four years the best teams in the world compete for the William Webb-Ellis trophy in the Rugby World Cup, and while New Zealand are the current holders of this trophy, the most successful team at the tournament is Australia who are represented by the Wallabies.
There are many domestic rugby competitions played, the toughest of which is the Super 15 which is contested between 5 teams each from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.