新澳门开奖结果

The scrum. Author PierreSelim.

Top 20 Fascinating Facts about Rugby

It is said that rugby stirs the emotions like no other game. It is a popular sport with millions of fans watching their favorite teams on the game鈥檚 biggest stages each year. To start with, the history of rugby union follows from various football games long before the 19th century, but it was not until the middle of that century that the rules were formulated and codified and was named rugby union as it involved the welfare of the players.

Also of importance to note is that for most of its history, rugby was a strictly amateur football code, and the sport’s administrators frequently imposed bans and restrictions on players who they viewed as professional. Due to frequent wrangling, in 1995 rugby union was declared an “open” game, and thus professionalism was sanctioned by the code’s governing body, World Rugby, then known as the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB).

1. Its Beginning Was Coincidental

Statue of William Webb Ellis. Author Elliott Brown.

The game of rugby has grown into one of the most popular sports in the world. However, very few fans know the origin of the game. Luckily as a reader you will have the opportunity to know the story of the game. Its history dates back to 1823 when a boy by the name of William Webb Ellis was playing in a soccer game for his school known as  Rugby School. As the game progressed, the ball was kicked and landed in his arms. The young lad decided to do something unusual with the ball. He ran down the field with the ball in his hands, creating a new sport right then and there that would come to be known as “Rugby Football”. He is celebrated every four years as the William Webb Ellis Trophy is handed to the team that wins the Rugby World Cup.

Read more here

2. Other Forms Of Rugby Have Existed In The Last 2000 Years

As indicated earlier, if historians are to be believed, the game we now know as rugby was initially played over 2,000 years ago by the Romans. The game was known by the Latin name Harpastum, derived from the Greek term for seize. Some other theorists also insinuate that other forms of traditional football similar to rugby have been played throughout Europe and beyond. Many of these involved handling of the ball, and scrummaging formations. For example, New Zealand had Ki-o-rahi, Australia marn grook, Japan kemari, Georgia lelo burti, the Scottish Borders Jeddart Ba’ and Cornwall Cornish hurling, Central Italy Calcio Fiorentino, South Wales cnapan, East Anglia Campball and Ireland had caid, an ancestor of Gaelic football.

Further research also reveal that the first detailed description of what was almost certainly football in England was given by William Fitz Stephen in about 1174鈥�1183. He described the activities of London youths during the annual festival of Shrove Tuesday: 鈥淎fter lunch all the youth of the city go out into the fields to take part in a ball game. The students of each school have their own ball; the workers from each city craft are also carrying their balls. Older citizens, fathers, and wealthy citizens come on horseback to watch their juniors competing, and to relive their own youth vicariously: you can see their inner passions aroused as they watch the action and get caught up in the fun being had by the carefree adolescents鈥�.

More interesting stories here

3. The Ball Used In Rugby Union Is Oval In Shape

Rugby ball. Photo by M. Cooper on

Unlike the soccer that we are used to, the ball used in rugby union is oval and made of synthetic materials. Decades ago, it was plum-shape when they were made out of the bladders of pigs, which gave these rugby balls their shape. It must be between 11-11.8 in (28-30 cm) long and 5.5-6.2 in (14-16 cm) in circumference at the widest point. The ball can be either kicked or carried but cannot be thrown forward. The dimensions of a rugby ball are 22 in (55.8 cm) long and 11 in (27.9 cm) wide.

4. There Are Many Different Ways That Rugby Is Organized

Rugby Post. Photo by Thomas Serer on

There are many different ways that Rugby is organized all over the world. The most common forms are these. Rugby Union: 7s, 10s, 15s. Rugby League: 7s, 9s, 13s. The 7鈥檚 has become the most popular version of the game lately. It is played by seven players on each side as opposed to the normal rugby union 15 players.

5. This Game Is Won With Many Tries And Conversion

Kick. Photo by Hanson Lu on

 To win a game, rugby players mostly earn points by scoring tries, achieved by a player crossing the touchline with a ball and touching it to the ground (which can be done by falling on it!). A try in rugby union is worth 5 points, in rugby league it is worth 4. This also gives a player an opportunity to attempt at a conversion which if successful earns another extra 2 points.

6. It Wasn’t Officially Professional Until 1995

As much as rugby has been played for a long time, it has only been professional after the 1995 World Cup. It was previously recognized by IRB (the official governing body) as an amateur sport and many were involved in it for the fun and love of the game but not as a form of generating income though players made stipends and collected small amounts of money. The professionalism of the sport ignited the inception of trans-national competitions like the Heineken Cup and Super Rugby..

7. The All Blacks Stand Out As One Of The Most Successful Teams

New Zealand Rugby Team at the 2020 Olympics. Author Marshall Islands National Olympic Committee.

Few teams in any sport have been as impressive as the All Blacks throughout history. They are one of the most successful teams in sporting history. Worth noting is that since 1903 when they played their first ever game, they have a win percentage of 78% in nearly 600 games. They are always a crowd puller whenever they are playing and losing to them with a narrow margin is always considered a win for any team. With an outstanding record both at the 15鈥檚 and 7鈥檚 rugby, they鈥檝e also won 3 Rugby World Cups (though arguably should have won all of them apart from 1991 and 2003).

They were also the first rugby team to win 500 test matches, one of many records establishing the All Blacks the world鈥檚 best team. This record would probably take a very long time to beat.

Read more here

8. World Cup Tournaments Of Rugby Union Are Held Once In Four Years

The first tournament of the Rugby World Cup was held in 1987 and was won by New Zealand. New Zealand and South Africa have both won the most Rugby World Cups, with a total of three each. The 2015 Rugby World Cup was won by Australia. The most recent Rugby World Cup was held in 2019 in Japan and the winner was South Africa, who beat England in the final. World cup tournaments of rugby union are held once in four years. In 1991, Ireland and the United Kingdom hosted the World Cup, where Australia was the winning team. The next world cup is in 2023, which will be hosted by France and rugby fans are already preparing themselves for this.

9. The Initiators Of The Game Have Only Won It Once

Though the game鈥檚 origin can be traced to England, statistically speaking the north hemisphere teams have not dominated the world rugby series. In total there have been 9 Rugby World Cups. New Zealand has won 3, South Africa has won 3, Australia has won it twice, and England is the only team in the northern hemisphere to have won it. They won the title in 2003 in Australia following Jonny Wilkinson’s legendary kick to win it. England fans are eager to see if the Rugby World Cup 2023 hosted in France will give them an opportunity to change this narrative.

10. There Are Over 6,600,000 Registered Rugby Players

Rugby popularity has increased in the recent times. Latest statistics indicate that there are over 6,600,000 players registered globally. It may be of interest to the reader to know that South Africa leads the way with 651,146 registered players, though England can claim a technical victory with 2,139,604 people playing professionally and non-professionally.  

11. The Most Tries Scored By A Rugby Player Is 69

Rugby is a great sport and rugby players are great as well but even between them there are the greatest players and teams. Surprisingly, though Japan is yet to take the world cup, former player Daisuke Ohata holds the world record for most international tries with 69. He set the bar between 1996 and 2006 while playing on the wing and once scored eight tries in a single match. It鈥檚 going to be a long time before anyone beats that record.

12. Professional Rugby Games Are Typically 80 Minutes

Rugby is known to be a very tiresome game. Professional rugby games are typically 80 minutes long and divided into two 40 minute halves, though they can vary in length based on the type of rugby being played. Fifteen, or rugby union matches, consist of two 40-minute halves, and these timed halves generally run without stoppage, much like association football.

13. In A Game Of Rugby, The Scrum Is A Means Of Restarting Play

In a game of rugby, the scrum is a means of restarting play after a stoppage which has been caused by a minor infringement of the Laws (for example, a forward pass or knock-on) or the ball becoming unplayable in a ruck or maul.

14. The Same Whistle Is Blown At The Start Of Each World Cup

The game of rugby has some of the most interesting traditions that are performed religiously up to today. Out of these, one stands out very distinctively. Welsh referee Gil Evans used the same whistle to preside over Rugby games for 20 years, donating it to the New Zealand Rugby Museum in 1969. The tradition was revived for the 1987 Rugby World Cup, and the whistle has been used for every tournament since.

Find more exciting stories here

15. The Rugby World Cup Game With The Highest Number Of Points Was 162

Rugby matches have often produced enormous results. The Rugby World Cup game with the highest number of points was 162 from the match played on 4th June 1995 when New Zealand beat Japan 145 points to 17.

16. Alun Wyn Jones Has 160 International Caps And Still Going

One of the most notable names in the world of rugby is Alun Wyn Jones of Wales. He holds the record for the most number of caps in the game. He has over 160 international caps to his name and he鈥檚 still going. He鈥檚 played at 4 world cups (2007-2019) which is a record, has played in 4 Lions Tours (2009-2021), which is also a record, and has clocked up over 225 appearances for the Ospreys too. Someone needs to check in his loft for a portrait of himself, because this guy just keeps going and going. This is an amazing record in any sport.

17. The First Rugby Team To Perform The Haka Did So In 1888

All Blacks Haka before a match. Author Sonya & Jason Hills.

The Haka, a traditional dance of Maori People, was first performed by New Zealand Rugby Team The Natives in 1888 to demonstrate their pride, strength, and unity. It has been performed before games ever since and has become a symbol of rugby for New Zealand. It is sometimes seen as an attempt to intimidate their opposition.

18. Twickenham Stadium Is The World鈥榮 Largest Rugby Union Stadium

Twickenham Stadium 2014 aerial view. Author brewbooks.

Twickenham Stadium is the home of England Rugby and the largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world, seating up to 82,000 people. It is located in south-west London, England, is a rugby union stadium owned by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), English rugby union governing body, which has its headquarters there. It stands as the world鈥榮 largest rugby union stadium, the second largest in the United Kingdom, behind Wembley Stadium, and the fourth largest in Europe.

Apart from rugby matches, Twickenham Stadium has hosted concerts by Rihanna, Iron Maiden, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Genesis, U2, Beyonc茅, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Eagles, R.E.M., Eminem, Lady Gaga, and Metallica.

19. There Are About 132 Countries Affiliated To World Rugby

World Rugby is an international federation and a global movement comprising of 132 national member Unions affiliated through six regional associations (Asia Rugby, Rugby Africa, Rugby Europe, Oceania Rugby, Rugby Americas North and Sudam茅rica Rugby). The 132 members of World Rugby are currently comprised of 111 full member Unions and 21 associate member Unions. Its purpose is to grow rugby, through its member Unions, by making it more relevant and accessible, with a vision of a global sport for all, true to its values.

20. Japan was the first Asian nation to reach the knockout stages

In 2019, Japan hosted the Rugby World Cup. Not only were they the first Asian nation to host the Rugby World Cup, they also shocked the world by beating Scotland to reach the knockout stages for the first time in history despite being considered the minnows in the tournament.

Unfortunately they were stopped by giants South Africa in the quarter-finals. They stole many peoples鈥� hearts with the way they played. They also showed that taking rugby to new nations is the way forward to grow the game鈥檚 popularity.