Rugby Union

Rugby Union is a fifteen-man, full contact sport first played in England in the early 1800’s. It is known for its brutality, especially compared to its padded counterpart American Football, and its complexity. Rugby Union is a global sport, with the Rugby World Cup being the fourth most watched sporting event in the world behind the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics and the Tour de France. The shortened version of rugby union, rugby sevens, will be played at the Summer Olympics from 2016.

Rugby fixtures are played on a 100 metre by 70 metre field and played with an oval shaped ball. Every aspect of rugby, from the ruck, scrum, lineout and even the kick offs are vigorously contested by the players. Players move the ball forward by either carrying it or kicking it as the endeavour to score points either by carrying it over the line and touching it down or kicking it through the ‘H’ shaped goal posts with a drop kick or penalty. The ball can be passed from player to player, but only backwards. A ball or dropped forward or passed forward results in a scrum being awarded to the team. When the ball is kicked or run over the sideline, a line out occurs. Other unique elements of rugby union are the ruck and maul.

• A standard rugby team consists of 15 starting players and 7 reserve players
• A try in rugby is worth 5 points, a conversion 2 points, a penalty and field goal are both worth 3 points.
• In rugby, when a tackled player is taken to the ground, both teams commit a number of players in order to secure the ball. Coming from their own side of the field, the players try to push over the ball so it comes out on their side.
• Rugby has continuously contestable possession, with players contesting the ball through rucks and mauls as the game moves around the field. Kicking is very prevalent in rugby as a way of keeping the game played in the opposition’s half of the field.
• In rugby the ball can only go forward if it is kicked or carried. If a ball goes forward off a player, either by a forward pass, dropped or a knocked-on, play resets with a scrum.

The International Rugby Hall of Fame has been in operation since 1997, nearly ten years before the IRB Hall of Fame. It features not only some of the games best players but other contributors to rugby union too.

1997 International Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees:

Serge Blanco from France
Danie Craven from South Africa
Gareth Edwards from Wales
Mark Ella from Australia
Mike Gibson from Republic of Ireland
Barry John from Wales
Willie John McBride from Republic of Ireland
Colin Meads from New Zealand
Cliff Morgan from Wales
George Nepia from New Zealand
Frik du Preez from South Africa
Tony O'Reilly from Republic of Ireland
Hugo Porta from Argentina
Jean-Pierre Rives from France
JPR Williams from Wales

1999 International Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees:

Gerald Davies from Wales
Morne du Plessis from South Africa
Nick Farr-Jones from Australia
Andy Irvine from Scotland
Carwyn James from Wales
Jack Kyle from Republic of Ireland
Brian Lochore from New Zealand
Philippe Sella from France
Wavell Wakefield from England
Wilson Whineray from New Zealand

2001 International Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees:

Gordon Brown from Scotland
David Campese from Australia
Ken Catchpole from Australia
Don Clarke from New Zealand
Mervyn Davies from Wales
Sean Fitzpatrick from New Zealand
Michael Lynagh from Australia
Bill McLaren, commentator from Scotland
Hennie Muller from South Africa
Jean Prat from France

2003 International Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees:

Bill Beaumont from England
Gavin Hastings from Scotland
Tim Horan from Australia
Michael Jones from New Zealand
Ian Kirkpatrick from New Zealand
John Kirwan from New Zealand
Jo Maso from France
Syd Millar from Republic of Ireland

2005 International Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees:

Fred Allen from New Zealand
Phil Bennett from Wales
André Boniface from France
Naas Botha from South Africa
John Eales from Australia
Grant Fox from New Zealand
Dave Gallaher from New Zealand
Martin Johnson from England
Ian McGeechan from Scotland
Gwyn Nicholls from Wales
Francois Pienaar from South Africa
Keith Wood from Republic of Ireland

2007 International Rugby Hall of Fame Inductees:

Ieuan Evans from Wales
Danie Gerber from South Africa
Tom Kiernan from Republic of Ireland
Jason Leonard from England
Jonah Lomu from New Zealand
Terry McLean (journalist) from New Zealand
Graham Mourie from New Zealand
Bennie Osler from South Africa
Fergus Slattery from Republic of Ireland
Joost van der Westhuizen from South Africa

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