We have a list of the most commonly asked questions on the sport of rugby. Email us at info@burugby.com and we'll do our best to answer it. If it's a good one, we might even put it up below for others to know about.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (click on the question):
About Playing:
- How can I start to play?
- Can I wear soccer boots for rugby?
- What are the names of the player positions?
- Does it matter which side of the scrum is the "loosehead" side?
- What is the difference between an openside and a blindside flanker?
- What is a "stiff arm tackle"?
- Where can I see some rugby on TV video?
- What are the rules for 7's?
Trivial Pursuit:
- Is it true that the U.S.A. won a gold medal at rugby in the Olympics?
- Is it true that President Clinton plays rugby?
- Is rugby a holy game?
- Who is the most capped International player?
- Who has scored the most tries in test rugby?
- What was the first international rugby game?
- Who has scored the most points in a test match?
- What is the oldest rugby club in the world?
- What is the largest rugby club in the world?
- Who is has the highest career total points in test matches?
- Who has refereed the most internationals?
- What is the highest number of points scored in a test debut and who holds this record?
Other FAQ documents:
About Playing:
- How can I start to play?
- Just get in touch with our club officers, new players are always welcome, and we're all very friendly and will be keen to welcome you. A good number of our players started playing at the collegiate level, some of which had never heard of rugby or seen a rugby ball before joining the club!
We'll teach you the the game, all you have to do is show up, and be willing to learn.
- 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.
In the US, studs may not contain nails and plastic studs with metal caps are banned, as are American football boots with female studs, i.e. having a threaded post that can become exposed.
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. See our section on the positions link above and we'll give you the details on positions of the game.
- 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.)
- Where can I see some rugby on TV video?
- Just get in touch with one of our officers under "contact us". We have some VCR tapes of some recent international rugby tournaments including the World Cup of Rugby. We'll gladly set you up so you can check out the game on TV. Fox Worlds Sports often shows many of the popular international tournaments, check with your cable provider.
- 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.)
Trivial Pursuit:
- Is it true that the U.S.A. won a gold medal at rugby in the Olympics?
- Yes, it's true; the US (current rugby small fry) did win the Olympic gold medal for rugby last time it was competed for and so is the current Olympic champion! In fact the US has won the last two rugby gold medals at the Olympics.
- Is it true that President Clinton plays rugby?
- Yes; well he has played it anyway. He was introduced to the game while a refug... I mean Rhode's scholar at Oxford. His talents have been reputedly described as "He was by no means athletic, in fact a bit lumpy, but made an excellent second row forward." The Little Rock Rugby club in his home state of Arkansas is trying to make lots of money out of Bill's association with them. They're selling T-shirts with the advertising "We've had Bill on our backs, now you can have him on yours."
- Is rugby a holy game?
- It must be! Pope John Paul II is a rugby player. In fact he represented Poland at rugby.
- Who is the most capped International player?
- Phillipe Sella of France played 111 tests for France until his retirement from international rugby in Dec 1995. He made his debut against Romania in 1982 and played his last game for France at the 1995 World Cup in the 3rd place playoff against England. In second place is Serge Blanco (also of France but now retired) who played (I think) 93 tests. Next closest is David Campese with 91 (still playing but out of favour with the Australian selectors).
- Who has scored the most tries in test rugby?
- David Campese of Australia: 63 (as of 5 May '95). In second place is Rory Underwood (England) with 47(more now?), then Serge Blanco (France) with 38. Phillipe Sella, the most capped player, has scored 36. John Kirwan (New Zealand) scored 35.
- What was the first international rugby game?
- The first international was played in 1871 between England and Scotland. It took place in Scotland at Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh (the site also of the 1994 Women's World Cup final).
- Who has scored the most points in a test match?
- In the Asian qualifier tournament for the 1995 World Cup, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 22-29 1994, Hong Kong fullback Ashley Billington scored 10 tries for a total of 50 points! The unlucky victims were Singapore who suffered a world record defeat to the tune of 164-13 in the same game.
In a World Cup game in South Africa in 1995, Simon Culhane scored 45 points (1 try, 20 conversions) for New Zealand in a record smashing 145-17 victory over Japan. This edged out the World Cup record established only a week previously by Gavin Hastings of Scotland. Hastings scored 44 points against Ivory Coast in a then record breaking 89-0 victory. Hastings' tally included 4 tries, 2 penalties and 9 conversions.
The previous record was held by Didier Camberabero of France who scored 30 points for France against Zimbabwe in the 1987 World Cup. This feat was equalled by Rob Andrew for England against Canada in a test on Dec 10 1994. (Andrew scored 6 conversions and 6 penalty goals.) These two therefore tie for fourth place.
- What is the oldest rugby club in the world?
- Claimed to be D.U.F.C. ......Otherwise known as Trinity College Rugby Club, of the University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.....Est. 1834. Official sources though say that was 1854 and that Cambridge University club has a claim from 1839. The first official club was Guy's Hospital Rugby Club (London, England), formed in 1843.
- What is the largest rugby club in the world?
- This distinction is claimed by Stellenbosch University in South Africa who boast several thousand players. It should be noted though that membership is compulsory for all resident students! Nevertheless they field at least 45 teams in an intra-club, residence-based, league, as well as the regular club teams.
- Who is has the highest career total points in test matches?
- Michael Lynagh of Australia: 911 when he retired from international rugby after the 1995 World Cup at the age of 31 and with 76 caps. His points total comprises 17 tries, 140 conversions, 177 pen. goals, 9 field goals.
> The statistics for other players as of 1993 were:
Name Country Years Points Matches Average M.Lynagh Aus 1984-93 760 60 12.67 G.J.Fox NZ 1985-92 573 41 13.98 H.Porta Arg 530 S.Bettarello It 483 A.G.Hastings Scot 1986-93 424 45 9.42 D.Camberabero Fr 1982-93 354 36 9.83 H.E.Botha SA 1980-92 312 28 11.14 M.J.Kiernan Ire 1982-91 308 43 7.16 P.Thorburn W 1985-91 304 37 8.22 J.M.Webb Eng 1987-93 296 33 8.97The records for various "landmarks" were all held by Grant Fox:Points Games 100 6 200 13 300 18 400 26He also has the highest success rate (see above) making him arguably the greatest place kicker the game has ever seen.> However, Andrew Mehrtens of New Zealand has now beaten Fox's record for the fastest 100 points in test rugby, scoring 100 points in just 5 tests.
- Who has refereed the most internationals?
- Derek Bevan of Wales, with 29 internationals under his belt (June 95). Bevan controlled the opening game of the 1995 World Cup in his 27th international.
- What is the highest number of points scored in a test debut and who holds this record?
- Simon Culhane (of Southland), playing at first-five, scored 45 points in his test debut for New Zealand, on June 4, in a 145-17 drubbing of Japan at the 1995 World Cup. He scored one try, which he converted and converted 19 other tries (making 20 conversions altogether, another record). He only missed one shot at goal all day --- a minor miss of the one remaining try in the All Black's tally. Interestingly, New Zealand had no penalty goal attempts in the entire match. Culhane's total was also a record individual score for a World Cup final series game and is the second highest individual score ever in an international match. (The same game also saw Marc Ellis, playing at centre, score a record 6 tries in a test for New Zealand.) Not all of Culhane's kicks were easy. Several tries were out wide, and even into the sun, and towards the end of the match a couple of try scorers made little or no attempt to run their tries in behind the posts!
This record on debut eclipsed the previous record set only a month earlier by Andrew Mehrtens. Mehrtens (of Canterbury), also playing at first-five, scored 28 points in his test debut for New Zealand against Canada in Auckland, April 22, 1995. His tally included a try (5), three penalty goals (9) and seven conversions (14) and was only two points short of the then third place (and once) world record test score. New Zealand won the game 73-7 in what was Canada's heaviest defeat in an international. The game was a build-up for both sides prior to the 1995 World Cup. (Mehrtens was rested for the above World Cup pool game with Japan.)
Prior to these two feats the previous record on debut had been 23 by Matthew Cooper, also of New Zealand.