Rugby league

Rugby League

General Information
Originated	1895, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England
World Governing Body	Rugby League International Federation
World Cup Winners	New Zealand
World Club Champions	Leeds Rhinos
International Rugby League
Test Nations	Australia · Cook Islands · England · Fiji · France · Great Britain · New Zealand · Papua New Guinea · Russia · Samoa · South Africa · Tonga
Major Competitions	The World Cup The Tri-Nations World Club Challenge The Ashes ANZAC Test Challenge Cup
Domestic Rugby League
Major Competitions	National Rugby League (Australasia) Super League (Europe) State of Origin (Australia) French Rugby League Championship (France) Bartercard Cup (New Zealand) ) American National Rugby League (USA)

Rugby League Football is a competitive full-contact team sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of thirteen on a rectangular grass field. Rugby league is one of the two major codes of rugby football, the other being rugby union. The league code is most prominent in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and France, where the sport is played professionally. New Zealand are the current reigning World Champions. Rugby league is also popular in Papua New Guinea where it is considered the national sport. The game is played to a lesser extent in several other countries, such as Russia, the United States, Argentina and Lebanon.

Rugby League takes its name from the Rugby Football League, known as the Northern Rugby Football Union when established in 1895 as a breakaway faction of the English Rugby Football Union (RFU). Both organisations played the game under similar rules at first, until similar breakaway factions occurred from RFU-affiliated rugby football unions in Australia and New Zealand in 1907 and 1908, and formed associations known as rugby football leagues, introducing modified Northern Union rules to create a new form of rugby football. The Northern Union later changed its name to the Northern Rugby Football League in 1922 (later dropping the 'Northern') and thus, over time the sport itself became known as "rugby league". Over the following decades, the rules of both forms of rugby were gradually changed, and now rugby league and rugby union are distinctly different sports.

History

Main article: History of Rugby League

The grass roots of Rugby League can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games which bear little resemblance to modern sports. It is then important to acknowledge the development of the modern football codes and two separate schisms in football history.

In 19th century England, football was most prominently played in private schools. Each school had its own rules based on whatever playing field was available to them. The rules could be categorised as either handling or kicking forms of football. The kicking and handling forms were later codified by The Football Association and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) respectively. Rugby Football, as it was widely known, had its main origins at Rugby School, Warwickshire, England.

In 1895 rugby football was beset with a schism that resulted in the formation of the Northern Rugby Football Union (NRFU). Although many factors played a part in the split, including the success of working class northern teams, the main division was caused by the RFU decision to enforce the amateur principle of the sport, preventing "broken time payments" to players who had taken time off work to play rugby. Northern teams typically had more working class players (coal miners, mill workers etc.) who could not afford to play without this compensation, in contrast to southern teams who had other sources of income to sustain the amateur principle. There were similar movements in other countries. In 1895 a decree by the RFU banning the playing of rugby at grounds where entrance fees were charged led to the famous meeting on 29 August 1895. Twenty-two clubs (plus Stockport who negotiated by telephone) met at The George Hotel in Huddersfield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and formed the "Northern Rugby Football Union". There should have been another two persons present, representing the Morley Rugby Football Club, but as travel in those days could only be done by train, and was considered a long journey, the two representatives decided to fortify themselves in readiness for their arduous trip. This they did by calling at several hostelries on route to the station, meaning that they missed their train. This is why the Morley club—despite being based in the Rugby League heartland of South Leeds—still play the 15-man game. Within fifteen years of that first meeting in Huddersfield, more than 200 RFU clubs had left to join the rugby revolution.

Rules

Main article: Playing rugby league

The rules of the sport have changed significantly over the decades since rugby football split into the league and union codes. Rugby league players all need to be particularly physically fit and tough because of the game's fast pace and the expansive size of the playing-field as well as the inherently rough physical contact involved. Depending on his exact role or position, a player's size, strength and/or speed can provide different advantages (or disadvantages). Effective teamwork is also extremely important as all players must work in concert with each other if they are to be successful.

Positions

Main article: Rugby league positions

Players on field are divided into forwards and backs. Each position has a designated number, 1 to 13. Numbers 14 to 17 are given to players starting on the bench, who will come into the game as substitutes for other players who are injured, in need of a rest, or less suited to the coach's strategy for that particular phase of the game. Typically the bench is comprised of three forward substitutes and a hooker/halves substitute. Each side is allowed 12 substitutions per game. (For 2008, in the National Rugby League, each side may use up to 10 substitutions.^[1])

Backs

The backs are generally smaller, faster and more agile than their forward counterparts. They are often the most creative and evasive players on the field, preferring fine kicking, passing or maneuvering skills, tactics and/or set plays to break the defensive line instead of brute force.

• The title of fullback (numbered 1) comes from the fullback's defensive position where the player drops out of the defensive line to cover the rear from kicks and runners breaking the line. They therefore usually are good ball catchers and clinical tacklers. In attack the fullback will typically make runs into the attack or support a runner in anticipation of a pass out of the tackle. Fullbacks can play a role in attack similar to a halfback or 5/8th and the fact that the fullback does not have to defend in the first defensive line means that a coach can keep a playmaker from the tackling responsibilities of the first line whilst allowing them to retain their attacking role.
• The wings or "wing three quarters" (numbered 2 and 5) are normally the fastest players in a team and play on the far left and right fringes of the field (the wings). Their main task is to receive passes and score tries. The wingers also drop back on the last tackle to cover the left and right sides of the field for kicks while the fullback covers the middle.
• The centres or "centre three-quarters" (numbered 3 and 4) are positioned one in from the wings and together complete what is known as the three-quarter line. Usually the best mixture of power and vision, their main role is to try and create attacking opportunities for their team and defend those of the opposition. Along with the wingers, the centres score plenty of tries throughout a season.

The Halves: Usually, the stand-off-half and scrum-half, are a team's creative-unit or 'playmakers'. During the interactions between a team's 'key' players (stand-off-half, scrum-half, full-back, loose forward, and hooker), the stand-off-half and scrum-half will usually be involved in most passing moves.

• The stand-off-half or 'pivot' or '5/8th' (numbered 6): There is not much difference between the stand-off-half and the scrum-half, in that --- both players may operate in front of the pack during 'Forward-Play' (as Prime Receiver[7] and Shadow Receiver[6] --- one on each side of the ruck --- or both on same side of the ruck) --- and both players may operate in front of the backs during 'Back-Play' (as Prime Pivot[6] and Shadow Pivot[7] --- one on each side of the ruck / pack --- or both on same side of the ruck / pack). The stand-off-half position is named with regard to the role / location of the player in respect to the scrum. To understand the stand-off-half position, or any other playing position --- see Rugby league positions.
• The scrum-half or 'half-back' (numbered 7): There is not much difference between the scrum-half and the stand-off-half, in that --- both players may operate in front of the pack during 'Forward-Play' (as Prime Receiver[7] and Shadow Receiver[6] --- one on each side of the ruck --- or both on same side of the ruck) --- and both players may operate in front of the backs during 'Back-Play' (as Prime Pivot[6] and Shadow Pivot[7] --- one on each side of the ruck / pack --- or both on same side of the ruck / pack). The scrum-half position is named with regard to the role / location of the player in respect to the scrum. To understand the scrum-half position, or any other playing position --- see Rugby league positions.

Forwards

The forwards' two responsibilities can be broken into "normal play" and "scrum play". For information on a forward's role in the scrum see rugby league scrummage. Forward positions are traditionally named after the player's position in the scrum yet are equal with respect to "normal play" with the exception of the hooker. Forward positions are traditionally broken into:

• Front row forwards
  • The props (numbered 8 and 10) are normally the largest players on field (male props typically weigh over 15 stone (210 lb/95 kg) in the open age/senior game). They are positioned in the centre of the line. The prop will be an "enforcer", dissuading the opposition from attacking the centre of the defensive line and in attack give the team momentum by taking the ball up to the defence aggressively.
  • The hooker (numbered 9) is most likely to play the role of dummy-half. In defence the hooker usually defends in the middle of the line against the opposition's props and second-rowers. The hooker will be responsible for organising the defence in the middle of the field. In attack as dummy-half this player is responsible for starting the play from every play-the-ball by either passing the ball to the right player, or, at opportune moments, running from dummy-half. It is vital that the hooker can pass very well. Traditionally, hookers "hooked" the ball in the scrum. Hookers also make probably more tackles than any other player on the field. The hooker is always involved in the play and needs to be very fit. They need to have a very good knowledge of the game and the players around them.
• The second row forwards (numbered 11 and 12) The modern day second row is very similar to a centre and is expected to be faster, more mobile and have more skills than the prop and will play amongst the three-quarters, providing strength in attack and defence when the ball is passed out to the wings. Good second-rowers combine the skills and responsibilities of props and centres in the course of the game.
• The loose forward or the lock (numbered 13) is the only forward in the third (last) row of the scrum. They are usually one of the fittest players on the field, covering the entire field on both attacking and defending duties. Typically they are big ball-runners who can occasionally slot in as a passing link or kick option; it is not uncommon for loose forwards to have the skills of a five eighth and to play a similar role in the team.

Rugby League Worldwide

Rugby League is played in more than 30 countries, though it is most commonly played in the United Kingdom (predominantly northern England), Australia and New Zealand. Australia, where it is a winter sport, is the strongest of the three. Rugby League is most popular in England, Australia, New Zealand, and France and it is recognised as the national sport in Papua New Guinea.

A National Rugby League game in Suncorp Stadium Brisbane, Australia.

Until New Zealand's victory in 2008, Australia had won every world cup since 1975. Until 25 November 2005, they had also not lost an international tournament or series of any kind for twenty-seven years until they lost to New Zealand in the final of the 2005 Tri-Nations Series at Elland Road in Leeds.

In the United Kingdom, rugby league has traditionally been associated with the "heartland" counties of northern England where the game originated (Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria). However, the game is growing in popularity nationwide, with television figures showing 50% of viewers come from the South of England and record participation numbers in the junior game. Despite this, the majority of teams remain in the North.

In Australia, it is the dominant sport in Queensland and New South Wales, as well as being popular in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. The other four states have low participication and knowledge with many struggling to differentiate between rugby union and rugby league.

Despite having had many strong teams historically, rugby à treize in France has struggled to compete with rugby union since the Vichy government banned the sport and seized some assets during World War II. However, French rugby league remained reasonably strong after the war, and the French team reached the final of the 1954 and 1968 Rugby League World Cups. In 2006, the Super League admitted the Catalans Dragons, who on 29 July 2007, made it to the Challenge Cup final, being the first non-English team to do so. The admittance of the Dragons to Super League has seen a renaissance of sorts in French rugby league, with newfound enthusiasm for the sport in traditional areas, predominantly in the South of the country where most of the Elite One Championship teams are based.

Early 21st century developments have seen countries such as Georgia, the Netherlands, Germany, Estonia, Malta, Serbia, Argentina, Jamaica, and take up the game and compete in international rugby league tournaments or matches, with efforts being made by the Rugby League European Federation to expand the game to new areas.

See also

• List of rugby league terms
• Comparison of rugby league and rugby union
• List of official rugby league organisations
• List of international rugby league teams
• List of footballers (rugby league)
• History of rugby league
• Playing rugby league
• Rugby League Tri-Nations
• Super League (Europe)
• Challenge Cup
• National Rugby League
• Rugby league nines
• Rugby football
• Rugby League State of Origin
• Touch football—an almost non-contact version of rugby league
• Tag Rugby (OzTag)—a completely non-contact version of rugby league

Footnotes

External links

• Watch live Rugby League
• The first place for rugby league news and views
• Official site of premier Australasian league - National Rugby League
• Official site of premier European league - Super League
• FOXSPORTS.com.au | Rugby League
• The World of Rugby League
• Rugby League at rlef.eu.com
• The Greatest Era of the Greatest Game of all
• Rugby Football League
• National League website
• Rugby League Fans Forums and Portal
• Rugby League World Cup
• The Sun | Rugby League news
• Rugby League Review
• League Unlimited
• Total Rugby League
• British Amateur Rugby League Association