WJT225

Hey, I've just been getting interested in rugby over the past few months, watching it when it's been on TV. The first game I've seen was the Storm vs. Eels and it was awesome. I really want to learn as much about the sport as possible and start playing it on some level soon

dudeabides

Welcome to the forum and good luck to you with playing. Rugby was on national tv yesterday on a network, rare thing for the Sevens in Las Vegas, though half the program seemed devoted to an introduction to the sport.

Leinster777

Welcome! Who are the storms and eels?

dudeabides

Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm, the rugby league teams in Australia I took it he meant. Am I wrong?

rugbyskier

You're correct. I would say that the game was last year's NRL Grand Final.

rugbyskier

Welcome from another newbie.

There are two codes of rugby, and the Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels are rugby league teams. Rugby league is known as "league" or "rugby league", whereas "rugby" will refer to the original code - also known as "rugby union". Rugby competitions include the Heineken Cup and French Top 14 in the Northern Hemisphere and the Super 14 in the Southern Hemisphere. NH teams include Stade Francaise, Munster, Bath, Harlequins, Toulouse, to name a few, and SH teams include the Bulls, Crusaders, Brumbies, Hurricanes, Waratahs and Stormers.

League has 13 players per team on the field and Rugby has 15 players. Both codes involve tackling and the difference between the two codes is that in league when a tackle is made, play will stop and the tackled player will get up and play the ball back to a team mate. After 6 tackles, the attacking team will lose possession. In rugby play does not stop at the tackle and players from both teams will form a ruck (the tackled player goes to ground) or a maul (tackled player remains standing) to contest possession.


Rugby League scrums involve 6 players per team and there is generally no pushing, whereas Rugby scrums involve 8 players and involve both front rows trying to push each other off the ball.

Tries are worth 4 points, conversions and penalty goals 2 points and field goals are worth one point in League. Tries are worth 5 points, penalty and field goals 3 points and conversions 2 points in Rugby.

In rugby, when a team receives a penalty and kicks for the sideline, or the ball or ball carrier goes across the sideline, a lineout is held. The hooker throws the ball into the middle of a line of forwards from both teams and one or two players from each team will be lifted to contest for the ball. In league, penalties are taken as a tap of the ball and if the ball or ball carrier goes over the sideline, there is generally a scrum.

I hope this helps you in understanding the differences between the two codes.

dudeabides

That was a very helpful and spot on summary of the two codes. WJT feel free to send me a message if you have trouble watching rugby matches, maybe I can help it is kind of difficult in this country to find. And there are less than 24 hours to go until a potentially great match between the Crusaders and Chiefs kick off and the Six Nations tourney is undwerway this weekend as well.

WJT225

Thanks guys,especially rugbyskier for all that info
And to dudeabides, that'd be great as there's almost never anything about rugby on tv in the states

truebluefan

Welcome!

dudeabides

Also, if you don't mind watching by way of computer, you can watch on foxsoccer.tv HERE,and it's not at all free so it must be legal, and it is the way to go while at work. They carry Super 14, Heineken Cup, Magners and Guiness premiership at the moment.