Explain me the difference: rugby league/rugby union/rugger/Aussie rules etc.

Melbournites to thread!

don't ask me about football. i know more about russian history than football, and best believe i don't know shit about russian history

Well Mookie, I think they punt because it covers more ground than running - but one of their tem-mates has to catch the ball. That's called a 'mark'. Have you seen any of them bounce the ball while running yet? They have to do that every (I think) ten paces they run. Correct me if I'm wrong, Melbournites that are not Jim.

In rugby league, each side gets possession of the ball for a maximum of 6 tackles, so usually after the fifth tackle a team kicks to gain as much territory as possible before turning over possession.

There's no tackle count in rugby, so kicking tends to be more tactical and dependent on situation. The same general strategies apply, kicks are a relatively safe way to gain a lot of territory and possibly create a scoring opportunity, with the disadvantage that you usually turn over possession.

Kicks are also an important part of attacking play in both league and union.

I have no idea about Aussie Rules.

"There's no tackle count in rugby"

that should read "There's no tackle count in rugby union"

Martin Skidmore to thread, except he's sitting in his fave chair and England/South Africa in the Rugby World Cup is about to start!

Rugby union: tedious sport played by men who have names like Lawrence and Tarquin and enjoyed being spanked by matron at school.

Rugby league: tedious sport played by men who come from Wigan.

Rugby split in two in 1895 on the issue of amateurism. The split reflected wider regional and class tensions in the sport. Originally a public school sport Rugby had become popular in the industrial north of England. However the working class players suffered from the consequences of the amateur ethic. The amateur rule meant that paying financial compensation when a player was absent from work due to injuries, training or playing were forbidden. Eventually a number of disgruntled northern clubs met in Huddersfield and decided to break away to form their own competition. Gradually the rules were changed in a bid to make the game more attractive for spectators e.g. 13 players instead of 15. Over the past century the new code developed its own distinct identity and traditions. It won devotees in Australia, where it is bigger than Union, and curiously also in southwest France, despite attempts by Vichy authorities to ban it in WW2.

I became a late convert to RL in the late ‘80s when thoroughly disillusioned by the amount of racism and violence I encountered on the terraces at football matches. A fine sport involving bravery, passion and no little skill.

Now whot's all this rot about Rugby Union being played by chaps with names like Lawrence? Why, if a blighter called Lawrence, Christian name, mind, even so much as stepped on the pitch, the lads would give him a lickin' he'd not forget come Michelmas Term. Seem to recall a cove called Lawrence at school, sent down on account of some business with a tart from the town, common scullery maid, what. Gave him a right thrashin' before his mum picked him up in the Roller. You there, yes youuuuu, black these boots and spank my bottom with this belt and be quick about it. Harder, yes, that's it, oh Matron! What, no I wasn't talking to you. Now, once again...oh!

The best known rugby-playing Lawrence I can think of is Laurie Daly, and he was very definitely League.

England's number 8, and formerly their captain, is Laurence Dallaglio.

Nothing to add here. But it does make me more well disposed towards rugby, that the *sport itself* should take the time to post an answer on ilx.

australian rules.

two teams
18 per side with 4 interchange.
played within an oval shaped ground
the game has four quarters.
teams change the direction they are kicking at the end of each quarter.
objective is to kick the oval shaped football through the tallest two of four posts.
-this is called a goal and is worth 6 points.
the highest number of points, wins............

play.......

play is started by one of three umpires bouncing the ball in the middle.
-this is contested by the two tallest players on each team (the ruckman), who run at each other as the ball descends, jump and then tap it to their respective teamates.

the ball is then moved by several means:
once a player receives a ball she may,
handball; achieved by forming a fist with one hand and with the balled, side of the index finger and thumb, 'punching' the ball, which is being held, palm up, in the other hand, to a teamate.

or kick; by guiding the ball onto the left/right foot, to a teamate.
a 'mark' occurs when a player kicks the ball and it is caught by another.

marking the football is vital to keep possession of the ball!
-often there will be a group of players - a pack - gathered underneath the descending ball.
-one of the most spectacular sights in football is to see players 'fly' or leap for marks.
-the better athletes, use other players as virtual ladders to climb to height where the mark can be taken.

the game is fast moving. indeed the faster the game the more exciting the game becomes.
players are frequently running as they kick and handball their way to the oppositions' goals.

the game is a full contact sport.
to dispossess an oppostion player with the ball, she must be tackled.
-skilled tacklers (think of stopping a ripped, 90kg frame, running at you) watch an opponents' hips for directional shifts.
-they will attempt to pin an opponents' arms to their sides to effect a 'spillage' or 'turn-over'.

teams maintain possession of the ball by quick handpasses, accurate kicks, sound evasion skills and most often, brute strength.

scoring..........

a goal is scored when a player kicks the ball through the tall goal posts (there are two shorter point posts on either side)

when a goal is scored the ball is returned to the middle for a ball-up.

when a point is scored (when the ball passes b/w the goal and point posts). the oppostion takes possession and the ball is kicked back into play from the 'goal square' (an area bordered on two cnrs. by the goal posts which extends some six metres into the oval)

dear lord............i'm gonna stop now.

tis a great fuckin game. best seen rather than read about here!

;-)

anyway, Gaelic Football is the best. All those other "sports" are for pantywaists.

DV in parochial shockah!

are you including king-Menko game Hurling in that statement DV?