RUGBY RULES AND DESCRIPTION

RUGBY RULES AND DESCRIPTION

The sport of Rugby is often referred to as the "father" of American football. Rugby started at least 70 years before American football and football evolved with many of the same principles, strategies and tactics. However, there are several obvious differences.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF RUGBY
Rugby is played at a fast pace, with few stoppages and continuous possession changes. All players on the field, regardless of position, must be able to run, pass, kick and catch the ball. Likewise, All players must also be able to tackle and defend, making each position both offensive and defensive in nature. There is no blocking of the opponents like in football, and there are only five substitutions per game allowed for each team. A rugby match consists of two 40-minute halves.

FIELD OF RUGBY
Rugby is played on a field, called a pitch, that is longer and wider than a football field, more like a soccer field. A typical pitch is 100 meters (110 yards) long 70 meters (75 yards) wide. Additionally, there are 10-22 meter end zones, called the in-goal area, behind the goalposts. The goalposts are 'H'-shaped cross bars located on the goal line.

THE BALL
The rugby ball is made of leather material that is easy to grip and does not have laces. Rugby balls are made in varying sizes (3, 4 or 5). Like footballs, rugby balls are oval in shape.

PLAYERS & POSITIONS
A rugby team has 15 players on the field of play. In rugby each team is numbered the exact same way. The number of each player signifies that player's position. Players numbered 1-8 are forwards, who are typically the larger, stronger players of the team whose main job is to win possession of the ball. These players are similar in size and abilities as American football linebackers and lineman. Players numbered 9-15 are backs, who tend to be the smaller, faster and more agile players. Their main role is to exploit possession of the ball that is won by the forwards, similar to the roles of American football's running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks.

STARTING THE GAME
Just like in American football, rugby is started with a kickoff to the opponent from mid-field. Provided that the ball travels beyond the 10 meter line, any player of either team may gain possession of the ball.

MOVING THE BALL
There is no blocking in rugby. Rugby does not have downs, and a team is not required to reach 10 yards and stop. The person with the ball leads the attack. In rugby there are several ways to move the ball. Any player may carry, pass or kick the ball. Play is not stopped and continues when the ball hits the ground or when a player is tackled. The ball carrier must release the ball when tackled and roll out of the way so that other players on their feet can play the ball.

Running: When running the ball, players may continue to run until they are tackled, step out of bounds or run beyond the goal line. Players run the ball to advance toward the opponent's goal line.

Passing: The ball may be passed to any other player. However, it may only be passed laterally or backward, never forward. Players pass the ball to an open teammate to keep it in play and further advance it.

Kicking: Any player may kick the ball forward at any time. Once the ball is kicked, players of either team, regardless of whether or not the ball hits the ground, may gain possession. Players typically kick the ball to a teammate in an effort to advance it or to the opposing team to obtain relief from poor field position.

SCORING
There are four ways for a team to score points:

Try: Five points are awarded to a team for touching the ball down in the other team's in-goal area. This is much like a touchdown in American football.

Conversion: Following a try, two points are awarded for a successful kick through the goal posts. The attempt is taken on a line, at least 10 meters, straight out from the point where the ball was touched down.

Penalty Kick: Following a major law violation, the kicking team, if in range, has the option to "kick for points." Three points are awarded for a successful penalty kick. The kick must be from the point of the foul or anywhere on a line straight behind that point.

Drop Goal: Three points are awarded for a successful drop kick. A drop kick may be taken from anywhere on the field at any time during play. A drop goal is similar to a field goal in football, however, in rugby the kick is made during the course of normal play. The ball is alive if the kick fails.

RESTARTING PLAY
There are two methods of restarting play following a stoppage caused by either the ball going out of bounds or because of an infraction of the laws.

Line-Out: If the ball goes out of bounds, it is restarted with a Line-Out. Both teams form a line perpendicular to the touchline and 1-meter (3 feet) apart from one another. A player of the team not responsible for the ball going out of bounds calls a play and throws the ball in the air in a straight line between the two lines. Players of each team may be supported in the air by their teammates as they jump to gain possession of the ball.

Scrum: Rugby's unique formation, the forerunner of the American football line of scrimmage, is the method used to restart the game after the referee has whistled a minor law violation. A bound group of players from each team form a "tunnel" with the opposition. The non-offending team puts the ball into the tunnel by rolling it into the middle and each team pushes forward until one player is able to hook the ball with the feet and push it to the back row players of his/ her team. The Scrum Half then retrieves the ball and puts it into play.

OFFSIDE LAW
Probably one of the more challenging aspects about rugby for the first time observer is the offside law. Like soccer, the offside line is continually moving up and down the pitch in rugby and varies according to the aspect of play. In general play, the ball creates the offside line and players are not permitted to participate in play if they are on the opposing teams side of the ball. Simply being offside is not a penalty, but attempting to participate in the game from an offside position is. In the line outs previously discussed, the offside lines are 10 meters back on either side from a line drawn across the field from where the ball is thrown in. At a scrum the offside lines are drawn across the field through the feet of the last person in each team's scrum.

TACKLES, RUCKS AND MAULS
Players in possession of and carrying the ball may be stopped by being tackled by the opposing team. Players are tackled around the waist and legs and, in general, may not be tackled higher. Once a player is tackled, however, play does not stop. The player must release the ball and roll away from it to allow other players on their feet play the ball.

A player who is tackled to the ground must try to make the ball available immediately so that play can continue. Supporting players from both teams converge over the ball on the ground, binding with each other and attempt to push the opposing players backwards in a manner similar to a scrum. The ball may not be picked up by any player, until the ball emerges out of the ruck. The ruck ends and play continues. A team that can retain possession after the tackle and the ensuing ruck has a huge advantage, because a ruck forms offside lines. These offside lines are the same as in the scrum and everyone must get back on sides in order to rejoin play.

A Maul is formed with a similar gathering of players, except the player in possession of the ball is not brought to the ground (not tackled) but it held up by an opponent and one his/her own players converge on him/her. This creates offside lines through the feet of the last players on each side. Players from each team must retreat behind these offside lines if they are to take part in any subsequent play. The maul ends when the ball emerges.

RUGBY GLOSSARY
Drop kick: A kick made when the player drops the ball and it bounces off the ground prior to being kicked. Worth three points if it travels through the goalposts. Drop kicks are also used to restart play after a score.

Forward pass: A violation that usually results in a scrum to the defending team.

Infringement: A violation of a law.

Knock on: The accidental hitting or dropping of the ball forward. The infringement is the same as that for a forward pass: a scrum to the other team.

Non-Contact Rugby: A Version of rugby designated to introduce the game to first time players (touch rugby). Two hand-tag replaces the tackle.

Penalties: Penalties occur regularly in rugby. Unlike other sports, there typically aren't yardage penalties and only occasionally do teams have to play short handed. Instead, the non-offending team is usually awarded a choice to kick the ball to gain field advantage. Some of the more important penalties are listed below:

Penalty Kick: Awarded after a serious infringement of the law. Offenders are required to retreat 10 yards while the opposing team is given the opportunity to restart play unopposed. Teams will often kick the ball up field and out of bounds to gain field advantage. When they do this, play is restarted as a lineout where the ball goes out of bounds. If in range, they may attempt a kick at the goal posts, worth three points. Finally, they may simply tap the ball with their foot and run with it.

Free Kick: This is awarded after a less serious infringement of the law. The free kick is similar to the penalty kick except a player cannot attempt a kick at goal to try to score three points. A player must restart with a tap kick or attempt to kick the ball out of bounds. If the kick is made from in front of the 22 meters (25 yards) line and goes directly out of bounds, the lineout occurs back where the kick was first kicked. If the ball bounces out of bounds, or if the kick was taken from behind the 22 meter (25 yards) line the resulting lineout is where the ball crossed the touch line.

Sin Bin: On occasion, the referee will send a player to the Sin Bin (behind one of the in goal areas) for a specified period of time, for serious and/or repeated infringements. The team is required to play short-handed until the referee permits the player to return. This penalty is fairly rare, but used by the referees to maintain control of the game.

Send-Offs: In extreme cases a referee may send a player off the field for dangerous or reckless play. A player who has been sent off is banned from that game and is not permitted to return or be replaced.

Put in: Rolling the ball down the center of the scrum tunnel by the Scrum Half.

Sevens: An abbreviated game of rugby that follows the same laws except a 7's team consists of only seven players and each half is seven minutes long. Much like a game of three-on-three full court basketball, it's a wide-open contest. Because of its wide-open style of play, the Seven's version of rugby is a very entertaining game to watch.

Set piece: A term for scrums and lineouts because these are the only choreographed plays of the game.

Support players: Players who position themselves to increase the ball transfer options of the ball carrier.
Tap and play kick/ move: A gentle kick to oneself, followed by a pick up, used to restart play after either a penalty or free kick is awarded.

Throw in: Throwing the ball down the middle of a lineout.

Touchline: The side boundary of the field (sideline).

Try line: The end boundary of the field (goal line).

22-Meter line: Is a line 22 meters (25 yards) from the try line. If a kick is made from behind the "22", the opposing team gets a lineout where the ball went out of bounds. If the kick was made in front of the "22", the resulting lineout is from the point of the kick if the ball goes directly out of bounds.

History of Rugby World Cups 1987-2007

History of Rugby World Cups

After becoming the first Northern hemisphere side to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003, can England retain the fabled Webb Ellis trophy in 2007? The odds have been stacked against England in recent months with poor form and injury blighting their build up. It was a different story four years ago though when a Johnny Wilkinson drop goal sent the country into frenzied celebrations, but that is just one of many highlights from Rugby World Cup history.

In the meeting held to discuss the issue, majority opposed the idea and only Australia, New Zealand and France supported it. When the vote was held South Africa, along with England and Wales voted in favor of it. This was a great back up for the official world cup, which was held in 1987.

Around 32 matches were played in the 1987 world cup that was held from May 22 to June 20. One African nation, three Americas nations, one Asian nation, seven European nations and four Oceanic nations participated in the Australia world cup. The tournament became all blacks rugby with New Zealand winning the final rugby match.

The success of the Australian world cup motivated the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) to conduct it every four years. The 1991 world cup was hosted by Great Britain, Ireland and France and Australian rugby team grabbed the tournament trophy. The tournament then became the fourth largest national sporting teams tournament in the world.

South Africa hosted the 1995 rugby world cup and it was the first time that all rugby matches was played in a single country. This tournament saw the entry of South Africa and their victory in the rugby world cup. Around 65 nations were attempted in the qualifying round of the 1999 rugby world cup. The tournament was hosted by Wales with matches played in England, France, Scotland and Ireland.

The previous world cup, the 2003 rugby world cup was hosted by Australia. England won the tournament and became the first northern hemisphere nation to win rugby world cup. The tournament attracted thousands of spectators from far and wide and it has now become a much-awaited game for its fans.

Only two nations have ever hosted and won the Rugby World Cup on home soil, but with other sides finishing as runners up when they have hosted in the past (England - 1991 and Australia - 2003), the omens bode well for France to make a concerted push for glory in 2007.

1987 Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup commenced in 1987 with Australia and New Zealand as host nations. The idea of the Rugby World Cup was suggested by the Australian Rugby Union and the New Zealand Football Union in separate submissions to the International Rugby Board. Though 16 nations from all over the globe participated in 1987 Rugby World Cup , but there were only three real contenders for the trophy. New Zealand perform the haka before their victory over France in the Rugby World Cup 1987 Final, played at Eden Park in Auckland.

1991 Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup extravaganza that had begun in 1987 was carried forward with full glory and enthusiasm to the 1991 Rugby World Cup . The Rugby World Cup of 1991 was hosted by England along with Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France. New Zealand, the former Rugby World champions participated with a determination of retaining the cup. The final match was played between Australia and England, with Australia clinching the winners' tag.

1995 Rugby World Cup

The 1995 Rugby World Cup or the Webb Ellis Cup was held in South Africa in the months of May and June and was the first to be hosted by any single nation. The 1995 edition was the first Rugby World Cup for the hosts South Africa and the expectation in the country was really high. South Africa and New Zealand were the two teams to play in the final in which the hosts defeated the Kiwis through an extra-time goal. This is the highlights of the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final between South Africa and New Zealand.

1999 Rugby World Cup

The fourth Rugby World Cup was hosted by Wales in 1999. The co-hosts of the 1999 Rugby World Cup were England, Scotland, Ireland and France . In the 1999 Rugby World Cup , twenty teams were selected for the final stage of the competition through qualifying matches. For the first time in the history of Rugby World Cup, the Repechage system was introduced, in which the runner-ups finishing with a very close margin from each qualifying zone were given a chance to play in the final stage of the competition. The final was played between Australia and France, with Australia winning the match.

2003 Rugby World Cup

The 2003 Rugby World Cup was scheduled to be hosted by Australia. Twenty teams participated in the final stage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup . The final match was played between Australia and England. England won the final in a close margin and became the winner of the 2003 Rugby World Cup . Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, Jason Leonard and Lawrence Dallaglio share with sportasylum their memories of the 2003 World Cup final.

2007 Rugby World Cup

The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October, and won by South Africa, who defeated England at the State de France in St. Denis, Paris. France won the hosting rights in 2003, beating a bid from England. the final match betweenEngland and South Africa on 20 October, which South Africa won by 15 points to 6, their second World Cup title.

Rugby World Cup 2011 New Zealand Town, Match and Cities Details

Rugby World Cup 2011 New Zealand

The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. At a meeting of the International Rugby Board (IRB) held in Dublin on 17 November 2005, New Zealand was selected as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa. There were two rounds of voting by the IRB Council to decide the host nation, with South Africa eliminated in the first round.
The event is expected to cost about NZ$310.0 million to run and will generate NZ$280 million in ticket sales. It will be the largest sporting event ever held in New Zealand, eclipsing the 1987 Rugby World Cup, 1990 Commonwealth Games, 1992 Cricket World Cup, 2003 America's Cup and 2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. Around 70,000 visitors from overseas are expected to travel to New Zealand for the associated games and events.
The event is scheduled to be played over seven weekends from the weekend starting 10 September and culminating the weekend starting 22 October 2011. The weekend of the final was chosen so it falls on a long weekend caused by the New Zealand public holiday of Labour Day (Monday, 24 October 2011). The final is scheduled to be played in Auckland at Eden Park.

As of 19 February 2008, New Zealand's progress in preparing and implementing plans for the event received an A+ rating from the International Rugby Board's chairman and chief executive.

The Pools for the Rugby World Cup games are:

Pool A: New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, Final Place Playoff
Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1

Following the pool matches the knockout rounds will be

Quarter Final 1: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A
Quarter Final 2: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D
Quarter Final 3: Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B
Quarter Final 4: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C

Semi-Final 1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
Semi-Final 2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4

Bronze Final: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2

Final: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

Rugby World Cup Games Schedule save in PDF

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Pc/Desktop/Rugby%20world%20cup%202011%20schedule.pdf

Rugby world cup venues have now been decided. 13 different cities will host the 48 games. A full list of the RWC games is as bellow. Here are the main venues for any major New Zealand Rugby matches. The number of Rugby World cup games they will host is in brackets) are:

Main North Island Venues (north to South approx):

• Northland Events Centre, Whangarei (2 RWC games)
• North Harbour Stadium, Albany, Auckland (3 RWC games)
• Eden Park, Auckland (9 RWC games)
• Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
• Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (3 RWC games)
• Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua (3 RWC games)
• Baypark Stadium, Tauranga
• McLean Park, Napier (2 RWC games)
• Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth (Stadium Taranaki)(3 RWC games)
• Westpac Stadium, Wellington (Stadium Wellington) (7 RWC games)
• Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North (2 RWC games)

Main South Island Venues:

• Trafalgar Park, Nelson (2 RWC games)
• AMI Stadium, Christchurch (Stadium Christchurch) (7 RWC games)
• Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin (3 RWC games)
• Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill (2 RWC games)

International matches are usually held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin or Hamilton. Eden Park in Auckland will host the most Rugby World Cup games. All stadiums hosting RWC games will lose their corporate branding during the Rugby World Cup.

New zealand Towns and Cities

Date	Teams	Pool	Stadium	City
Fri Sept 9	New Zealand v Tonga	A	Eden Park	Auckland
Sat Sept 10	Scotland v Play-off winner	B	Rugby Park Stadium	Invercargill
Sat Sept 10	Fiji v Africa 1	D	Rotorua International Stadium	Rotorua
Sat Sept 10	France v Asia 1	A	North Harbour Stadium	North Shore
Sat Sept 10	Argentina v England	B	Stadium Christchurch	Christchurch
Sun Sept 11	Australia v Italy	C	Stadium Christchurch	Christchurch
Sun Sept 11	Ireland v Americas 2	C	Stadium Taranaki	New Plymouth
Sun Sept 11	South Africa v Wales	D	Wellington Regional Stadium	Wellington
Wed Sept 14	Oceania 1 v Africa 1	D	Rotorua International Stadium	Rotorua
Wed Sept 14	Tonga v Americas 1	A	Northland Events Centre	Whangarei
Wed Sept 14	Scotland v Europe 1	B	Carisbrook	Dunedin
Thurs Sept15	Europe 2 v Americas 2	C	Stadium Taranaki	New Plymouth
Fri Sept 16	New Zealand v Asia 1	A	Waikato Stadium	Hamilton
Sat Sept 17	Argentina v Play-off winner	B	Rugby Park Stadium	Invercargill
Sat Sept 17	South Africa v Fiji	D	Wellington Regional Stadium	Wellington
Sat Sept 17	Australia v Ireland	C	Eden Park	Auckland
Sun Sept 18	Wales v Oceania 1	D	Waikato Stadium	Hamilton
Sun Sept 18	England v Europe 1	B	Stadium Christchurch	Christchurch
Sun Sept 18	France v Americas 1	A	McLean Park	Napier
Tues Sept 20	Italy v Europe 2	C	Trafalgar Park	Nelson
Wed Sept 21	Tonga v Asia 1	A	Northland Events Centre	Whangarei
Thurs Sept 22	South Africa v Africa 1	D	North Harbour Stadium	North Shore
Fri Sept 23	Australia v Americas 2	C	Wellington Regional Stadium	Wellington
Sat Sept 24	England v Play-off winner	B	Carisbrook	Dunedin
Sat Sept 24	New Zealand v France	A	Eden Park	Auckland
Sun Sept 25	Fiji v Oceania 1	D	Eden Park	Auckland
Sun Sept 25	Ireland v Europe 2	C	Rotorua International Stadium	Rotorua
Sun Sept 25	Argentina v Scotland	B	Stadium Christchurch	Christchurch
Mon Sept 26	Wales v Africa 1	D	Stadium Taranaki	New Plymouth
Tues Sept 27	Americas 1 v Asia 1	A	McLean Park	Napier
Tues Sept 27	Italy v Americas 2	C	Trafalgar Park	Nelson
Wed Sept 28	Europe 1 v Play-off winner	B	Arena Manawatu	Palmerston North
Fri Sept 30	South Africa v Oceania 1	D	North Harbour Stadium	North Shore
Sat Oct 1	Australia v Europe 2	C	Stadium Christchurch	Christchurch
Sat Oct 1	France v Tonga	A	Wellington Regional Stadium	Wellington
Sat Oct 1	England v Scotland	B	Eden Park	Auckland
Sun Oct 2	Argentina v Europe 1	B	Arena Manawatu	Palmerston North
Sun Oct 2	New Zealand v Americas 1	A	Wellington Regional Stadium	Wellington
Sun Oct 2	Wales v Fiji	D	Waikato Stadium	Hamilton
Sun Oct 2	Ireland v Italy	C	Carisbrook	Dunedin
Sat Oct 8	QF1: W Pool C v RU Pool D		Wellington Regional Stadium	Wellington
Sat Oct 8	QF2: W Pool B v RU Pool A		Stadium Christchurch	Christchurch
Sun Oct 9	QF3: W Pool D v RU Pool C		Wellington Regional Stadium	Wellington
Sun Oct 9	QF4: W Pool A v RU Pool B		Stadium Christchurch	Christchurch
Sat Oct 15	SF1: W QF1 v W QF2		Eden Park	Auckland
Sun Oct 16	SF2: W QF3 v W QF4		Eden Park	Auckland
Fri Oct 21	Bronze Final		Eden Park	Auckland
Sun Oct 23	Final		Eden Park	Auckland

Rugby World Cup venues have now been decided. 13 different cities will host the 48 games. 34 of the games will be in the North Island and 14 in the South Island. Teams will be hosted in 23 different towns around New Zealand during the tournament - check out the Towns page for info.

The Rugby World Cup final, bronze final, and both semi final matches will be played in Auckland at an upgraded Eden Park.

Quarter finals will be held in Christchurch and Wellington.

At Eden Park, a new South Stand and temporary seating will achieve the required 60,000 capacity. It is anticipated that the redevelopment will be completed in early 2011 at a cost of approximately $240.5 million. Dunedin may also have a new stadium to replace Carisbrook. The Christchurch stadium is having major redevelopment work done. Whangarei may also have a new stadium.

The 13 stadiums where games will be held are listed below. Because stadiums will lose their corporate branding during the Rugby World Cup, the new name of the stadium during the Cup is in brackets! The number of World Cup games each stadium will host is also in brackets.

North Island Venues:

* Eden Park, Auckland (9 games)
* Westpac Stadium, Wellington (Stadium Wellington) (7 games)
* Waikato Stadium, Hamilton (3 games)
* North Harbour Stadium, Albany, Auckland (3 games)
* Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua (3 games)
* Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth (Stadium Taranaki)(3 games)
* Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North (2 games)
* McLean Park, Napier (2 games)
* Northland Events Centre, Whangarei (2 games)

South Island Venues:

* AMI Stadium, Christchurch (Stadium Christchurch)(7 games)
* Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin (or maybe a new stadium)(3 games)
* Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill (2 games)
* Trafalgar Park, Nelson (2 games)

This is a list of the current top ten rugby teams as decided by the IRB (International Rugby Board) as of February 2nd, 2009. I have kept their list the same but I have added some facts and history on each team. Also you will see some exclusive video for top 10 rugby teams.

Top 10 International Rugby Teams

10(Fiji rugby team)
Fiji’s national rugby team is a part of the Pacific Islands rugby Alliance along with Samoa and Tonga. Fiji was one of the sixteen teams to participate in the 1987 rugby world cup and made it to the quarter finals only to be beaten by France. Between 1987 and 2007, Fiji has only made it to the quarter finals twice, losing to England in the quarter finals in 1999 and losing to South Africa in the semi-finals in 2007. This video features the Fijian Rugby team who win the New Zea land rugby sevens in Wellington in 2010.


09(Scottish Rugby Team)
The Scottish Rugby Union was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest teams in the world. They were a founding member of the IRB and participated in the first international match against England where Scotland won 4-1. Scotland participates and is a contender in the Six Nations tournament held every year in Europe. Scotland has taken part in all the Rugby World Cups which they have made the quarter or semi-finals every year except 2007.


08(Irish Rugby Team)
The Irish Rugby union was founded in 1874 and was another founding member or the IRB. Ireland competes annually in the Six Nations tournament which they have won eight times. They have participated in every world cup and have been eliminated in the quarter finals every year except 1999 and 2007. The Ireland national team forms a quarter of the British and Irish Lions along with England and Wales every four years. The Irish rugby team has been home to some of the world’s top class players including Brian O’Driscoll who is Irelands top try scorer and considered the best center in world rugby. Here you can see best Irish rugby team ever.


07(France Rugby Team)
France’s national team is considered the best on continental Europe and competes annually in the Six Nations tournament. The French have competed in every world cup and have made it to more finals than any other team without winning the William Webb Ellis Cup. One of France’s most famous games was against New Zea land in the 1999 world cup where they upset the favored All Blacks in the semi-final.


06(England Rugby Team)
The England National rugby team has always been considered one of the best sides in the world. They have produced many legends of the game such as Martin Johnson and Jonny Wilkinson who is the top point scorer in rugby world cup history. They are the only team from Europe to win the Rugby World Cup when they defeated Australia in 2003 and also came as runners up in 1991 and 2007.


05(Wales Rugby Team)
The Wales National Rugby team was started in 1881 and that same year they had their first test match against England. Wales has had many different golden ages of rugby through the 19th and 20th centuries. During these times they have produced who some consider the best rugby players to ever play the game including J.P.R Williams, Gerald Davies, and of course Gareth Edwards. Wales competes in the Six Nations tournament every year and has won it 24 times.


04(Argentina Rugby Team)
The Argentina National rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, had its first international test against a touring British Isles team in 1910. Argentina is ranked as by far the best team in the Americas and although rugby isn’t close to as popular as soccer, it has grown a following due to Argentina’s success in the Rugby World Cups. Argentina has generally used an outstanding forward pack mixed in with a barrage of backline passing.


03(Australian Rugby Team)
The Australian Rugby Union team is nicknamed the Wallabies and is considered one of the best teams in the history of the game. They compete annually in the Tri-Nations Tournament against New Zealand and South Africa. The Wallabies have produced a large number of outstanding rugby players including Tim Horan, David Campese, John Eales, and the most capped player of all time, George Gregan. The Wallabies are always entertaining to watch because they take risks in games that other teams wouldn’t event attempt. They are usually acknowledged as having one of the best defenses in world rugby and have great ball retention which allows continuous phases.


02(South Africa Rugby Team)
The South Africa national team is nicknamed the Springboks and began playing international rugby when a British Isles team toured South Africa in 1891. South Africa plays annually in the Super Twelve tournament and the Tri-Nations against New Zealand and Australia. South Africa is one of many teams to utilize all aspects of the game to produce exiting matches incorporating running, kicking, passing, and forward drives.


01(New Zealand Rugby Team)
The New Zealand National Rugby Team, nicknamed the All Blacks is the most famous and respected team in the world with winning records against all national sides. The first team from New Zealand to compete in a match was against New South Wales in 1883 and their first international test was against Australia in 1903. The All Blacks have brought about many rugby legends to the field including Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, Grant Fox, Ian Kirkpatrick, Christian Cullen, Andrew Mehrtens, Tana Umaga, Carlos Spencer, Richie McCaw and of course Jonah Lomu. With the great players and talent that New Zealand has, the only question asked is why they have only won the Rugby World Cup once because they have gone into every tournament as the favorites to win. The New Zealand All Blacks have also gained fame from doing the Haka or the Kapo-o-Panga before every match.

history for rugby

The Cornish called it "hurling to goals" which dates back to the bronze age, the West country called it "hurling over country" (neither should to be confused with Gaelic hurling in which the ball is hit with a stick called a hurley or hurl, not carried), East Anglians "Campball", the French "La Soule" or "Chole" (a rough-and-tumble cross-country game). English villages were certainly playing games of 'fute ball' during the 1100s. English boarding schools would certainly have developed their own variants of this game as soon as they were established—the Eton Wall Game being one example.
August 29, 2007 — Jimmy Lewis (aka Charlie McKill),reports on the history of rugby from it's stumbling origins to the current world cup.

The game of football which was played at Rugby School between 1750 and 1859 permitted handling of the ball, but no-one was allowed to run with it in their hands towards the opposition's goal. There was no fixed limit to the number of players per side and sometimes there were hundreds taking part in a kind of enormous rolling maul. This sport caused major injury at times. The innovation of running with the ball was introduced some time between 1859 and 1865. William Webb Ellis has been credited with breaking the local rules by running forwards with the ball in a game in 1823. Shortly after this the Victorian mind turned to establishing written rules for the sports which had earlier just involved local agreements, and boys from Rugby School produced the first written rules for their version of the sport in 1870. Rugby would also be considered a dangerous game but fun.


Around this time the influence of Dr Thomas Arnold, Rugby's headmaster, was beginning to be felt around all the other boarding schools, and his emphasis on sport as part of a balanced education naturally encouraged the general adoption of the Rugby rules across the country, and, ultimately, the world.