Game of Rugby gaining popularity across the world
Rugby is a tough sport and is now gaining fame in states other than its usual hosts, including America. Rugby is getting attention with its growing American audience, but it is still considered to be as British as crumpets and tea in the afternoon. It’s
not surprising obviously, as rugby started in England during 19th century and the sport was widely accepted in all British Isles and wherever British took up residence. Rugby had a great appeal for schoolboys and soon enough it commanded throughout the European
countries.
It has a trendy demand in other nations as well and around 80 countries have their national Rugby teams. USA team has been an Olympic champion too. However, in United States this rough and rugged sport has a long way to go to get mainstream attention of
America. Even if we take a look at the library shelves at countries like America, we may find some content or even a book on rugby, but there will be dozens of books available to cover football. Rugby is a forerunner of football as we all know and it’s ironic
to see such a situation. Few of the terms in football and rugby are common, such as show up, touchdown etc.
Reason to why Rugby is still not gone middle-of-the-road yet was once explained by Pat Herrity of Western Suburbs Rugby Football Club. He said it’s maybe because Rugby has a bad reputation and is considered to be a “drinking and partying sport”.
Basics of Rugby are almost same as American footballs’ with few variations like pass, run, make touchdowns through goal posts and players tackle. Rugby field is comparatively larger then American football field and even the ball is slightly fatter. But the
major and noticeable difference between both the games is exclusion of protective gears from Rugby. Rugby players don’t go through the luxuries of wearing pads or helmets. This might have been another reason for calling the sport rough and dangerous but this
blow is undeserved.
According to a study padding causes more injuries instead of preventing them, because without the pads and helmets, players play and tackle more carefully. With the gears on you never are afraid of sticking your head into opponent’s stomach. All we get after
a fierce battle on field of rugby is a couple of bruises and few sore muscles. It’s all about possession of the ball, it’s not about inches. Herrity brilliantly concludes, “We are not armed warriors; we are human beings.”
Every Rugby professional admits that this sport can be very rough but then, so can be baseball and football. The chance of getting hurt is always there. There always is a possibility in every game that players take cheap shots in case of frustration. Simon
Harrington of Alexandria, who has played rugby all his life, claims he never got a serious injury. The worst he got was a twisted ankle once. Rugby in America is rough according to Harrington and newly converted rugby players from football have the same ‘football
mentality’. Most of them don’t have a lifelong exposure to Rugby, whereas Harrington used to play since he was a kid at a British school. He clearly can tell the difference. Harington adds to his American rugby experience, “People are out to enjoy themselves,
not to hurt someone else.”
Unlike many other games in which team work is required, where players stand indolently, rugby is fast paced game with each and every member of the team on field working the strategy out to break through the opponent’s defense. In football the only decision
making position is around the opponent’s goal, whereas in rugby every position holds a decisive authority and can change the game play instantly. All the 15 players hold the stake of passing, running and getting involved in the game.
Any sportsman who gets into this game makes an immediate bond with it. “When I was in Ireland, I walked up to an Irish captain and had an immediate bond.” said Herrity and he further went on while cherishing his memories, “We talked rugby. You don't have
that with a lot of other sports.” The sport provides you a feeling of a warrior and gives you a sense of responsibility on the field. It practically gives a lot more exercise and camaraderie than any other sport.
Rugby is a game for all and can be played by all genders due to the same reasons. Bolin McLean a famous female rugby player says, “Its adrenaline rush and I love it.” She says as long it’s a clean game; it is not a rough sport at all.
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