Rugby - Frequently Asked Questions

Rugby is a popular game played by men and women of every race and creed, from under age five to well over fifty, in over 100 countries of the world. In a few of those countries it is the national sport -- some say religion.  The object of the game is to score as many points as possible by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding an oval ball in the scoring zone at the far end of the field -- called the in-goal area.

 

 

About Playing Rugby

1. How can I start to play?
2. Can I wear soccer boots for rugby?
3. What are the names of the player positions?
4. Does it matter which side of the scrum is the "loosehead" side?
5. What is the difference between an openside and a blindside flanker?
6. What is a "stiff arm tackle"?
7. What are the origins of rugby?
8. What are the rules for 7's?
9. What is the difference between rugby union and rugby league?
10. Where is the game played?
11. What are the major international competitions?
12. What is the governing body for rugby?

 

How can I start to play?
Just get in touch with your local school or a local club. Rugby people are generally very friendly and will be keen to welcome you (or point you to a smaller club which would suit your novice status better).

Can I wear soccer boots for rugby?
Normally, yes. The important thing is the size and location of the studs (i.e. cleats) on the undersole. Basically they must not be too long and must have blunt ends (min. diameter at top = 10 mm) and no sharp edges. (This is all for safety.) A single stud at the toe of the boot is prohibited. Exact details are given in Law 4(3) of the game.

Many players recommend that the "tight-five" forwards (i.e. front row and locks) wear particularly sturdy boots with high tops. This is because they tend to get their toes stood on a lot. Loose forwards and backs usually prefer lighter weight boots for greater mobility.

What are the names of the player positions?
The names of the positions vary quite a bit between the various rugby playing nations. The following is based on the numbering scheme for player's jerseys currently laid down by the I.R.F.B. for International Matches. It is commonly, though not universally, adopted by other teams. (Common variations are the interchange of 6 and 7, the interchange of 11 and 14 or a renumbering of the backline so that the wingers are 13 and 14. The English club Bath omit the no. 13 jersey because one of their players was once killed wearing it. Some English clubs even use letters instead. Further, an interesting story is told about a Scotland vs England match at Twickenham in 1926. King George asked the president of the S.R.U. about the lack of numbers on the Scots players' backs and was informed, "This is a rugby match, not a cattle sale".) Anyway, assuming the displayed numbering scheme:
Players 1-8 are forwards (often referred to as the pack); players 1-5 are sometimes called the tight-five, or front-five, (players 1-3 are the front-row) and players 6-8 are the loose forwards (or loosies), or backrow. Players 9-15 are backs.

Here are the positions under their common names:

• Prop ( loosehead)
• Hooker
• Prop ( tighthead)
• Lock, 2nd row
• Lock, 2nd row
• Flanker (blindside)
• Flanker (openside)
• Number 8
• Scrumhalf
• Flyhalf/Standoff
• Wing (left)
• Iinside Centre
• Outside Centre
• Wing (right)
• Fullback

As can be seen there is quite a bit of variation. The IRFB has considered standardizing the names but has not moved forward with this proposal. It is worth noting though that the Laws of the Game already define the terms prop and hooker. One problem with standardizing the names is that the positions themselves are not completely standard. For example, many teams play left and right centre rather than inside and outside centre and a few teams even play left and right flankers.

Of more concern than the variation (which could be considered healthy cultural diversity) are some ambiguities and conflicts. In particular the use of "wing forward" for a flanker is not recommended (it's also an archaic term for an obsolete position associated with the old 2-3-2 scrum, popular in NZ in the 1920s) nor is "breakaway" for the no. 8 (some recognising the term as applying only to the flankers). Similarly the use of "halfback" requires caution (it being recognised as applying only to the no. 9 position in some countries whereas others consider both the no. 9 and no. 10 to be halfbacks). One should especially avoid calling the no. 10 just plain halfback, without a qualifier such as "outside". Possibly the worst abuse is the occasional use of "lock" in Australia to refer to the no. 8. Does it matter which side of the scrum is the "loosehead" side?

The loosehead prop 
(the one with his head free) always packs down on the left side of the scrum. Many players think this is just a convention. However, although the laws of the game don't have anything explicit to say on this point they are very explicit on the proper method of binding in the scrum. In particular they require the tighthead prop to bind with his right arm outside the left upper arm of his opposing loosehead prop and similarly they restrict what the loosehead prop can do with his left arm (see Law 20(6)(c)). Hence, the laws implicitly require the loosehead prop to be on the left side of the scrum.

(The halfback may put the ball in on either side of the scrum but only an imbecile would not choose the loosehead side because otherwise the opposing hooker would be between him and his own hooker.)

What is the difference between an openside and a blindside flanker?
The openside flanker is the one on that side of the scrum facing the opposing backline. The blindside flanker is on the opposite side, which is normally the narrow side of the field. (They will switch from the left to the right side of the scrum depending on the situation.)
The traditional roles of these two players are somewhat different. Since most of the back play is usually on the open side where there is more space it is usually the openside flanker's job to be the first to the breakdown of play and get his hands on any loose ball (or to cause a breakdown by tackling the ball carrier or otherwise harrying him into error). Thus, at a scrum where the ball has been won by the opposition, he will generally break as soon as the ball is out and make a beeline for the flyhalf who can be frequently seen desperately trying to get a kick away from underneath the body of the openside diving into the tackle. 

The openside must therefore have very fast acceleration and be very quick over short distances.The blindside flanker on the other hand must be able to stop a blindside move and if the play goes openside he must then get to the breakdown as quickly as possible where he may be needed to tidy up after the openside. While he must be fast he doesn't need to be as fast as the openside and his role is more of a stabilizer than havoc-wreaker.

What is a "stiff arm tackle"?
A stiff arm tackle is where the tackler tries to knock the player with the ball over using a stiff arm action instead of wrapping his arm around the player's body as required by the laws. It is the same action referred to in professional wrestling circles as a "clothesline". It is particularly dangerous when applied above the neck because it can turn a healthy rugby player into a quadriplegic in an instant. However, a stiff arm action is illegal no matter where the point of contact.
In some parts, a fend (i.e. a hand-off) is erroneously interpreted as a stiff arm tackle. This is not correct; a fend is not a tackle and a fend with a stiff arm (and open palm) is perfectly legal, provided it is not executed with a striking action. (A fend to the face of an opponent could also be interpreted as dangerous.)

What are the rules for 7's?
Until 1995, the laws governing the popular seven-a-side version of rugby were the same Laws of the Game as used in the full 15 player game. However, a number of small variations have now been introduced to further speed up the sevens game. In particular, conversion attempts in 7's must now be taken as a drop kick and the defending team must wait up by the halfway line for the restart of play rather than standing behind the goal-line and possibly charging down the kick. Of course, there has always been law 3(2) which explicitly covers matches with less than 15 players and permits the minimum number of players in a scrummage to be reduced from 5 to 3. This of course also applies in 10-a-side games, which are sometimes played. Because of the faster pace of the game, 7-a-side matches generally have quite short halves --- typically of 7 minutes. (The standard 40 minute halves of 15-a-side rugby are just the maximum allowed under the laws and are not dictated by them, except in internationals.)

What are the origins of rugby?
Legend has it that the game originated at Rugby school (hence the name) in England, when one of the pupils, William Webb Ellis, picked up the ball during a game of soccer in 1823 and ran with it. Of course the story is most likely apocryphal, since games involving running with a "ball" in hand had existed for centuries before that. 

What is the difference between rugby union and rugby league?
Rugby union and rugby league are two separate games that evolved from a common rugby origin. The original split in 1895 was over the issue of paying players. Rugby Union held out as a strictly amateur sport whereas rugby league became professional (at least at the highest level). The split was extremely acrimonious; so much so that a painting of a rugby match that had been commissioned had players who defected to league erased! For a 100 years, rugby union authorities stuck to their principles and steadfastly refused to permit player payments. It was also against the union rules on amateurism for union players to be involved in any way with league. Even as late as the 1970s it was normal for union players who switched to league to be ostracised and not invited to team reunions etc. However, in August 1995, in the face of widespread abuses (in the form of under the table payments, player trust funds, etc) and pressure from the top players who were being expected to put in many hours of training in an era of increasing media interest in the game, the IRFB finally relinquished and rugby union became fully professional at all levels. Despite their common origins and the fact that both games are now professional they have evolved so far apart that they are now best regarded as different sports --- though union stars are sometimes sought out by league scouts. Rugby league teams have only 13 players (with two substitutions permitted) whereas rugby union has 15 (and no substitutions, except for injury). Many other rules are different; in particular league play stops after every tackle and so is readily distinguished from union play. Also league does not use the lineout to restart play after the ball goes out.

Where is the game played?
Rugby is played in well over one hundred different countries. Statistics on major rugby playing countries and minor rugby playing countries show that several million people are active participants. Most European countries now have national rugby sides. The game is also growing in Africa and South America, and it continues to be popular in various places throughout the Pacific region.
South Africa are the current rugby union world champions, and the last world cup encompassed teams from New Zealand (the runners up and winners in 1987), France, England, Australia (winners in 1991), Scotland, Canada, Ireland, Western Samoa, Italy, Wales, Japan, Ivory Coast, Tonga, Romania, and Argentina. The next world cup will be held in Wales in 1999. Qualifying rounds will be staged around the world starting probably as early as 1996. It is expected that there will be 20 participants in 1999.
The structure of the game in most countries is such that there are various levels from club rugby at the bottom, through some district or provincial level, to a national setup with the full national side at the apex.
One important thing about rugby is that it is not just a game for national sides and top players. Many countries start kids playing rugby very young, and there are veterans matches and tournaments around the world for those who continue to enjoy playing until very late in life. In between there are clubs for the serious and social players, most clubs running more than one side to cater for the variations in ambition and ability.

What are the major international competitions?
International rugby currently revolves around a cycle building towards the World Cup, which is staged in different countries every four years. Along the way there are annual matches and long standing fixtures between neighbouring countries. There are also tours of one (or several) international countries by another. Currently France, Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales play each other in an annual "tournament" called the 5 Nations Championship. All sides play each other on various Saturdays between January and March. England are the reigning 5 Nations champions, winning all of their 4 matches in 1995. There is talk of adding Italy to this competition and they are expected to play against 5 Nations sides on their bye weekends this coming season. Another major international competition is the Bledisloe Cup, played for between Australia and New Zealand. The format of this changes from year to year - sometimes it is decided in a one off test match, and sometimes there are a series of games. This contest will be augmented in 1996 by a contest between New Zealand, South Africa and Australia which is expected to become an annual event. There is also a European championship (the FIRA Championship) which is normally dominated by France. There is also an annual game between Canada and the USA in a North American Championship match and an annual competition between Fiji, Tonga and Western Samoa for the South Pacific championship. In 1996 an eight-nation Pan Pacific series will be held involving Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, USA, Canada, Argentina, Japan and Hong Kong. This is also anticipated to become an annual event. Many of the local internationals between the "smaller" rugby nations have been included into the World Cup qualifying competitions.

Most countries also have their own internal competitions and national championships. Some also join together to play matches between their various sides. A good example of this is the current Super 10 which involves provincial sides from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia along with the South Pacific Champion (currently Tonga). Another example of international cooperation might be the recent establishment of an inter provincial/district competition involving sides from Scotland and Ireland. Also, in late 1995 there will take place an inaugural European club championship involving 12 clubs from Wales, Ireland, France and Italy. In 1996 Engalnd and Scotland will join, bring the number of teams to 16.

What is the governing body for rugby?
The governing body for rugby is the International Rugby Football Board (I.R.F.B.) commonly referred to as the IRB, founded in 1886. The I.R.F.B. is responsible for deciding international fixtures, revising the laws of the game and other general matters related to rugby such as amateur status of players.
The IRFB typically meets twice per year (normally about March and October).
The game is controlled at the local level by Rugby Unions which are normally organized on National boundaries, though Northern Ireland and Eire play under the auspices of one union and some US clubs near the border play in Canadian unions