Rugby is a sport that involves moving the ball forward through scrums, rucks, mauls, and tries to score points, with play restarting through in-touches or knock-ons. It was founded in England and is now played globally, with the US men's and women's national teams competing internationally. Key differences from American football include a rugby pitch being larger and oval-shaped, fewer players on the field at once, and uses of a ball that is oval rather than pointed.
Just what is this crazy sport called rugby? What is a scrum down and what in the world does it mean to ruck and maul? Do I want to TRY to get in touch and why don’t I want to knock on? In this module you will be introduced to the sport of rugby and will learn the meaning of these terms and others. Following completion you will be able to watch a rugby match with some understanding, and perhaps, you will even want to give playing a try!
Please review these learning objectives.
According to legend, the game of rugby football was "invented" by the young Englishman William Webb Ellis in 1823 when he picked up a ball during a soccer match at the Rugby School in Rugby, England and ran with it toward the opposing goal as his surprised opponents tried to tackle him. Rugby soon spread throughout the British Empire, reaching North America, New Zealand, and Australia by the 1870's. These nations remain rugby power houses today. American and Canadian football are both direct offshoots of rugby.
While rugby is played all over the world, it is a popular sport in fewer countries. In 1987, the Rugby World Cup was created to determine a world champion among the various national sides. The World Cup is the the World Series or Olympic games of rugby is held every 4 years. This map shows the premier rugby countries in the world- those who have been involved in the men’s World cup. The US men’s team is not a rugby power house but does qualify to compete in the World cup while the US women won the inaugural women’s world cup in 1991. The status of the rugby codes in various countriesRugby union is both a professional and amateur game, and is dominated by eleven "major" unions: Ireland, France, Australia, England, New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa, Wales, Argentina, Italy, and Scotland. Rugby Union is administered by the International Rugby Board (IRB). Rugby union is the national sport in New Zealand, South Africa and Wales. "Minor" unions include Canada, Georgia, Japan, Namibia, Portugal, Romania, Samoa, Spain, Tonga, Chile, The United States, and Uruguay. In Malaysia, rugby union is played by campus students. Rugby League is also both a professional and amateur game, administered on a global level by the Rugby League International Federation. In addition to the countless amateur and semi-professional competitions in countries such as the United States, Russia, Lebanon and across Europe, there are two major professional competitions worldwide—the Australian National Rugby League and the European Super League. In the "National Rugby League" there are teams from all Australian states and territories except South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania, and there is also one in Auckland, New Zealand. In Super League there are two teams from outside the north of England, the London-based Harlequins and the Perpignan-based Catalans, although this will become three when the South Wales-based Celtic Crusaders join at the start of the 2009 season.
Rugby has been played in the US since the 19th century. The US men’s and women’s teams are called the Eagles. The United States men won two Olympic golds in the sport during the 1920's (and the US is actually still the defending Olympic champion, since rugby was dropped soon after), Rugby is now widely played throughout the United States. The USA Eagles (our national side) is currently considered a second-tier squad, often qualifying for the World Cup, but not usually performing well against the top national sides.