Surprising Fun Facts About Rugby

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randymiller
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Surprising Fun Facts About Rugby

Post by randymiller »

1. Rugby balls were first made from pig’s bladders
Rugby ball’s distinctive plum shape makes them aerodynamic, easy to hold, and easy to pass over distances. To encapsulate those qualities, original rugby balls were made from inflated pigs bladders, stitched tightly to trap the air. Gross but very true!
2. Rugby was originally called something else entirely
If historians are to be believed, the game we now know as rugby was initially played over 2,000 years ago by the Romans.
The game was known by the Latin name Harpastum, derived from the Greek term for seize, which seems rather apt given the aim of the game.
3. The modern game was born at a school in Warwickshire
Rugby’s most widely accepted origin takes us back to 1839, where a Warwickshire Rugby School student, William Webb Ellis, came up with the game by picking up a regular football and charging at the opposing team’s goal. A formal set of rules would be made later that year.
Also, another interesting fact about rugby for you – the Rugby World Cup trophy is called the William Webb Ellis trophy after the man who invented the game!
4. Rugby union was only classified as a professional sport in 1995
When a schism formed and rugby became rugby league and rugby union in 1895, rugby union was no longer considered a professional sport.
Shockingly, this remained the case until a century later, when in 1995, it was given the same recognition afforded to rugby league.
5. The All Blacks are one of the most successful teams in sporting history
The New Zealand All Blacks are one of the most successful teams in sporting history. Since 1903 when they played their first ever game, they have a win percentage of 78% in nearly 600 games. That stat is absolutely crazy when you think about it. They’ve also won 3 Rugby World Cups (though arguably should have won all of them apart from 1991 and 2003).
They were also the first rugby team to win 500 test matches, one of many records establishing the All Blacks the world’s best team and represented by business plan writers
CJ
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Re: Surprising Fun Facts About Rugby

Post by CJ »

And it’s called a try because in the beginning touching the ball down didn't bring any points but gave you the opportunity to TRY to kick a goal. It’s ‘essaie’ in French which means the same.
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