Rugby

Rugby is a game that is played in over 120 countries throughout the world. Many of the values of Rugby come from its rich history, traditions, camaraderie and community involvement with the sport.

The game of rugby union is played on a grass pitch measuring no more than 75 meters wide and 100 meters in length. There is also an area at each of the pitch, measuring between ten to 22 meters, called the dead-ball area (A dead ball occurs when it either enters this part of the pitch or when a referee signals a penalty or other stoppage in the game).

Goalposts stand in the center of each end of pitch, on the goal line, and are shaped like an upper case H. The posts measure 5.6 meters across, with the horizontal post three meters from the ground.

As in nearly all other competitive sports, the chief aim of each team is to score as many points as possible by the close of the game. A game is played over eighty minutes, split into two forty minute halves, with extra time added on to account for stoppages and injuries, unless, as in international Test rugby, the clock is stopped every time a stoppage in play occurs and the match / half-time period ends as soon as the ball goes dead after forty minutes has been played.

Each team is made up of fifteen players, with up to seven replacements available to each team. Eight of this number makes up the ‘Forwards’, players numbered one to eight, and the remaining seven are the ‘Backs’, wearing jerseys numbered nine to fifteen.