Here is the post I didn’t have time for yesterday, featuring the Six Nations rugby match between Wales and Ireland.
The primary aim of a game of rugby is to score as many tries as possible by
grounding the ball on the opposite side of the opponents’ goal line.
The try notches up 5 points. Afterwards the best place kicker has the opportunity to convert this to 7 by kicking the ball over the bar and between the goal posts.
The referee, in the white shirt is there to ensure fair play, to interpret the rules, and to make decisions about points scoring.
We now, with the benefit of technology, have the Television Match Official who, having access to replays, has the task, at his request, of aiding the on field referee.
The grounding must be controlled and the feet inside the touchline. The score above was legitimate.
The ball carrier may be tackled by an opposition player. There are strict rules about the execution of this.
One of the consequences of an infringement is the set scrum. This is where two packs of forwards, each weighing in total 850/950 kilos, shove against each other to gain mastery and possession of the ball which is tossed into the middle by the scrum half, seen in green in the first picture, and red in the second. This can eat up 5 minutes of playing time.
Loose scrums. rucks, and, mauls result in less choreographed tussles.
These pieces, with or without the intervention of the referee, are followed by a lining up of the three quarter backs, one of whom will pass the ball along while the opposition attempt to dispossess them. It was this passing process that in 1965 prompted my late brother Chris, accompanying Jackie on her first time of watching me play, to utter the memorable one line explanation; “You have to get the ball over that line by throwing it backwards.” Although players may kick the ball ahead, a forward pass is not allowed.
Medical assistance is essentially on hand. This player struggled on fo a while before having to leave the field.
This one, captain Jonathon Sexton, had no choice. Despite his reluctance he had to go off for a compulsory Head Injury Assessment.
Earlier, he was the first of the faces I pictured in this gallery. His opposing captain, facing him, sporting a black eye, has plaster on his ear.
The masked supporters could not show theirs.
This scene reminded me of the season in which I lost three contact lenses in a fortnight. I then gave them up on the grounds that there is a limit to the number of times one can have 30 men in rugby kit crawling around in the mud in search of them.
Yikes! I’m glad all you lost were contact lenses.
🙂 Thanks very much, Merril
I like to watch Rugby but still have nightmares about playing it. I went to school in Rugby where it was compulsory torture. If you didn’t play rugby you had to go on a cross country run. I became quite a good runner.
I played until I was 45 when I moved to Newark. It was only the idea of joining a new club that stopped me. Thanks a lot, Andrew.
That makes American football look tame. Wonderful photographic story you have provided., Derrick. I learned quite a lot, thanks for sharing.
Much appreciated, Maj. Thank you
i made it to 38 before a series of repetitive Achilles injuries put me out to the long grass. Shame, I loved it.
Sorry to learn that, Geoff. Thanks very much
Fortunately it’s not stopped my participation in anything other than rugby and the highly competitive south london mixed all abilities pogoing challenge.
I loved this – as I enjoy rugby. Only one of my sons played the game and I keep in touch with it through his passion for watching it on television (cricket too) 🙂
That is good,Anne. Thanks very much.
Didn’t realise you were a rugby player Derrick
Until aged 45 when we moved to Newark and it seemed too late to join a new club. Thanks very much, Sheree
Hubby played too but only until mid-30s
Sensible man
Not sure about that!
I was too slow to be a back and too small to be a forward. Ended up moving from prop, to outside flanker to scrum half.
I was only ever second row except occasionally No 8. Thanks very much, Gary
Rugby sure isn’t for sissies. As an aside, I was a small part of the team that named The Brumbies.
🙂 Thanks very much, Peggy
I thank you for the explanation, Derrick, but I think this game is a bit too injury-prone for my taste. Looking at the man eating grass in the third picture gave me a hint that more of the same and worse is coming. I shall stick to football.
🙂 I always used to say that it looks worse than it is – now I’m not so sure. Thanks very much, Dolly.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Definitely not my cup of tea!
🙂 Thanks a lot anyway, Liz
Lovers of proper sport will never agree on which is god, or better, or best. All that to the side I am not of fan of the TV official who can overrule the on field umpire. The whole idea of ‘accepting the umpire’s ruling’ seems to have been thrown out – not just in sport but in life in general. and in US politics.
Good point, John. It is more equitable in rugby, where the ref asks for the TMO’s verdict. Thanks very much.
I used to be qualified as a referee in both codes of rugby. I did it to learn the laws, but always avoided officiating. I just can’t run, see everything and interpret the rules at the same time.
The photo of the bandaging brought a smile to my face. The laws, until quite recently, stated clearly that lifting at the line-out was illegal (despite the fact they had been doing it for years) but at the back there was a note about the legal size for the lifting blocks that could be taped to the legs.
They did eventually amend that. 🙂
Thanks very much. You might like this early post, Quercus: https://derrickjknight.com/2014/01/15/eureka/
I did – love the vintage lineout – one handed throw and no lifting. How things change…
So that is what Rugby is! A wonderful set of informative photos and dialog, Derrick! 🙂
Thanks very much, Lavinia.:)
OH! What action! What intensity! What heart! And I must add…what handsome lads!!! 😉
I’m so glad you only lost contact lenses, Derrick, and not a body part! 😮 Looks like a sport that is ripe for injuries.
HA! Love your brother’s explanation. 🙂
One time at her first American football game a female friend of mine asked me, “Why do the men wearing the black pants, striped white and black shirts throw their handkerchiefs on the grass?” HA! 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn. I got away with carrying a shoulder injury for 60 years, and two broken fingers. 🙂
Oh, gosh! That’s more than enough.
I’ve had some sports injuries, too. 🙂
I reckon rugby at international level must be the toughest sport without significant body protection. They are hard men to be playing such a physical sport without helmets, huge shoulder pads and so on. It’s also an enormously popular sport at amateur level. it must be said.
Agreed, John. I fear for the modern pros in old age. Thanks very much.
Thanks for that clearly expressed outline of rugby Derrick. I am from a non-rugby school and will never fully grasp its nuances.
Thanks very much, Roland
Lots of kicks here…ouch ?
Indeed. Thanks very much, Ribana
What a game! It makes American football look like pat a cake.
Thanks very much, Leslie
Ah, ha! Another word figured out: ‘scrum.’ I’ll never play (and probably won’t watch) either sport, but with ‘sticky wicket’ and ‘scrum’ tucked away, I can at least show some familiarity!
🙂 Thanks very much, Linda.
That is probably one of the most intense of power games that exist today. Thank you for the lessons.
I think of them as gladiators. Thanks a lot, Uma.
Now there’s a great game and none better than the All Blacks. Go Blacks!
I can’t argue with that, Lindsey. Cheers.