In the realm of sports and sporting events, one
of the most well attended, thoroughly followed through by fans, and televised
and viewed is Rugby. Bearing the core dynamics of physical prowess combined
with strategy and skill, Rugby is an impressive sport with millions of fans
worldwide. Since its start, it was already quite popular, still holding that
same lustre, even until today.
Rugby’s Origins and Impact
“Rough” would be the best word in using how
Rugby came to be. When young William Webb Ellis “took the ball in his arms and
ran”, the lad practically showed “a fine disregard” in the act, thereby already
adding to the rough and rugged nature of Rugby football. This happened in 1823
in Rugby School in England, United Kingdom. Since then, Rugby football evolved
into the sport it is today, influencing the development of other similar
contact sports in its growth.
Though many may not know it, the world of sport
football owes much of its origins from Rugby. In fact, when talking about
rugby, rugby football is basically the “root”, common form of football where
Canadian Football and American Football originated from. Today, there are two
known sports which bear the “rugby” title. These sports would be Rugby Union
and the Rugby League.
The Rugby League
Rugby League, one of the two variations bearing
the rugby name, is quite popular in New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain and
in France, with Papua New Guinea even labelling it as its national sport. The
sport is practiced by amateurs and professionals alike in these places. There
are also other countries which advocate Rugby league, holding amateur and/or
semi-professional competitions. These countries would include South Africa,
Israel, Serbia, Russia, Lebanon, Jordan, Canada, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga and
the United States.
The Rugby Union
Professional and amateur Rugby Union games
could be found being played in South Africa, Wales, France, Australia, New
Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland and in Argentina. In New Zealand, it is the
national sport, as well as in Wales and in South Africa. Rugby Union’s “minor
leagues” could be encountered in Georgia, Italy, Japan, Canada, Fiji, Portugal,
Romania, Samoa, Spain, Uruguay, the United States and in Tonga.
Main Differences between Rugby League and Rugby
Union
Of course there are differences between Rugby
League and Rugby Union. One of the main differences between Rugby League and
Rugby Union could be found in inspecting the number of players involved. In
Rugby League, teams are made up of 13 players, while Rugby Union involves 15
players. This difference between the number of players is the most “visual”
tall tale signs, marking the difference between Rugby League and Rugby Union.
Rule variations would be another point of
comparison. In Rugby union, players could “fight” or contest for ball
possession after a tackle. Rugby League rules don’t allow such, leaving the
play to go on, followed by a “Scratch” or a play-the-ball scheme. Also, in
Rugby league, a team in possession of the ball has to score before a “set of
six” tackles occurs. If the team in possession fails to score before this “set
of six” tackles figure, it has to surrender possession to the opposing team.
“Football is a gentleman’s game played by thugs
and rugby is a game for thugs played by gentlemen.” This old saying hails from
the United Kingdom, living as a testament to the cultural impact Rugby has in
the UK.
Again, as rugby progressed, it came to
influence the development of American Football and Canadian Football, standing
as more than just a sporting event, but one which helped sire other sporting
events into the hearts of sport fans all over the world.
