Sports Recommendation

Rugby

Rugby is a game of teamwork which encourages individual breakthroughs. It has over a century of history in Hong Kong.

Rugby’s origin and development

Rugby originated from Britain, and gradually sprouted in the mainland of Europe, the Commonwealth countries and Asia. World Rugby, (previously known as International Rugby Board) which was founded in 1886, is responsible for the formulation of Rugby rules and the promotion and development of Rugby around the globe. The Asian Rugby Foot-ball Union, an affiliated association of World Rugby, was founded in 1968 to promote Rugby in Asia. The union now has 28 members, one of which is Hong Kong. Some prominent international events are the Six Nations Championship, the Rugby World Cup and the Hong Kong Sevens etc.

Rugby venues and equipments

A formal Rugby match is played on a rectangular grass pitch with a length of 100 metres and width of 70 metres. The goal line is set on the two shorter sides of the pitch, with an area that extends beyond until the dead ball line to compose an in-goal area (touchdown area) that is 10 to 22 metres long and 70 metres wide. The H-shape goal posts on the two goal lines are used to judge whether a goal is valid or not.

A Rugby ball is fabricated by four panels of leather to create an oval shape with a length of 28-30 centimetres and a weight of 410 to 460 grams. Players should wear spiked boots to prevent them from slipping on the grass. The equipment of other protective clothing, such as a dental protector, shoulder pads, shin guard, or headgear is up to each individual player’s preference.

Rugby rules

A traditional rugby match is fifteen-a-side, but the sport can be played seven-a-side or ten-a-side. A match is divided into two halves, and the time played varies according to the number of players. In a fifteen-a-side match, the match lasts 80 minutes; 20 minutes for a ten-a-side match, 14 minutes for a seven-a-side match.

In general, people think that body contact is very likely in a Rugby match, therefore only people who are physically competent should play. This, however, is wrong. The key to scoring lies is dodging and not colliding. Collision with another player is at most a defensive movement, but effective dodges give one the chance to score. When tackling the ball carrier, defenders can hold him down with any contact below his shoulder without any intention to harm. Otherwise, it is considered a foul.

The team with the higher score wins the match. For a player to score, he must carry the ball into the in-goal area and touch the ground with it, which is known as a “touchdown”. After the touchdown, the team will be rewarded a chance for a conversion goal, in which extra points are rewarded if the player is able to kick the ball over the crossbar and between the two goal posts. Furthermore, the ball carrier can also drop the ball during general play and kick it directly to the goal when it bounces off the ground. 

During the match, the ball carrier can run forward, kick the ball forward, or pass the ball to rear-side teammates. A player who is in an offside position is liable to sanction if he participates in the offensive. If the ball carrier in either team carries or kicks the ball outside the playing area, the other team gains a throw-in.

 

Promotion of rugby

The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union has always proactively promoted rugby. It has organized many competitions, held training classes and fun days in primary, secondary schools and local communities of Hong Kong. The Union also trained local athletes, coaches and referees. For more information, please visit the website of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (URL: www.hkrugby.com) or call the Union (Tel: 2504 8311) for enquiries.

Sources :
World Rugby (www.worldrugby.org)
Asian Rugby Football Union (www.arfu.com)
Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (www.hkrugby.com)