Differences in rugby?

Question

Hello, somewhat new to watching rugby, and I have a question: I have seen quite a few matches, but am watching one now on Setanta...Bulldogs v North Queensland...and it seems a bit different than other matches Ive watched...The team that has possession of the ball is rolling the ball backward pretty often after they are tackled. The opposing team doesnt seem to be going for the ball, rather, trying to keep the ball moving down the field. In other matches I've seen, this doesnt seem to happen, they seem more of an all out scrabble for the ball. Help a novice out! Thanks!

Answer 1

You're watching Rugby League. A variation on the usual Rugby seen on the BBC for example.

League is more popular in the North of England rather than in the South where Union is the game.

Being a Northerner I prefer League and think it's a much more exciting game

Answer 2

There are two rugby 'Codes'. One is called Rugby Union and one is called Rugby League. In both games anyone can run with the ball. And you always have to pass backwards.

What you were watching was a NRL game from Australia of League.

The game of League was formed over 100 years ago when some players wanted to be paid to play and were told by the Union  that rugby players were not professional. So they formed the Rugby League and changed the rules. So rugby League has always been professional. Rugby went professional in 1995.

Rugby Union is the more popular and world wide game so this is what you will see the most on TV. Rugby League really only has 3 countries that have a valid competition (New Zealand, Australia and England).

Anyway I will try and explain the games:

Rugby League: League is a little like American Football (NFL) in that you only have a certain number of tackles (6) before you have to give the other team the ball. When you are tackled to the ground (or held so that you can't move and the ref calls tackle) then you stand up and roll the ball between your legs. The other team (beside two markers) has to retreat 10 metres. If you get tackled on the 6th tackle you lose the ball.  So what you will normally see in League is a couple of runs with the ball to move it up field (tackle 1+2), then a wider pass trying to find space (tackle 3), then a couple of plays to try and get around the defense (tackle 4+5) and the last play will be a kick (either a deep kick or a bomb or grubber). The other team will then pretty much do the same. It is a more simple game and so is easy to play and learn.

Rugby Union: Union is a more complex game and requires a little more brains. Union has no limit on the number of tackles. So you can keep passing and running and attacking. If you go to ground you must release the ball. So your bigger players (called the forwards) will come and blow over the top to clear the ball back for the half back to pass it again to the fast players (the backs). The opposition players will try and blow over and fight for the ball. In Union you have lineouts whenever the ball goes out to restart the game. There are no lineouts in League.

There are other differences but you kind of need to understand the games before learning those.

hope i helped.

Answer 3

i think they do play differently in other places

Answer 4

dont know

Answer 5

One form of rugby is called Rugby League

One form of rugby is called Rugby Union.

Rugby League is the professonal version of the sport when the game split around 1900.. Rugby Union was the non professional version ..The games differ in a lot of ways, league plays with 12 men and is about defence and attack,

Rugby union is more technical, is played with fifteen men and has proper scrums and lineouts and more of a competition for the ball .

The competition for the ball in rugby league -commonly referred to as

"bosh and bore",

"complete waste of rugby talent and ability" - (before all the high profile failed league converts to union)-  or simply

"*** suckingly boring rugby"

is non existant as when they get tackled they are released and allowed  they push the ball back with their foot.

Rugby Union - which went professional about ten years ago -  is the best.

Answer 6

Yes your watching Australian Rugby League, which is faster and tougher than Rugby Union ! 13 men as opposed to 15, a 5 tackle count as opposed to constantly scirmishing for the ball, after 5 tackles the attacking team often kick the ball for field position than try to batter the opposition at their end of the field to regain posession of to play out their 5 tackles, it's faster and more exciting than traditional Rugby !

Answer 7

AS mentioned you're watching Rugby League.

Rugby league is played with 13 men unlike the 15 in rugby union. Both do have similar rules and some very different rules. For example both pass the ball back, both have scrums, etc. rugby league has a five tackle count and then the ball gets handed over, rugby union doesn't have this.