Rugby World Cup 2007: Jersey color fiasco

[Scrumhalf]

Bewildered fans tear strips off teams

5:00AM Tuesday September 25, 2007
By Alanah May Eriksen

Disgruntled rugby fans took their complaints online yesterday after the All Blacks and Scotland played their rugby World Cup game in virtually matching jerseys.

The All Blacks chose a new silver and black strip to avoid a clash with Scotland's dark blue strip.

But the Scots mixed silver into their own jerseys, causing total confusion for many TV viewers.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/event/stor...ectid=10465760


This is symptomatic of the amateurish operation that the IRB is running. From censoring of youtube video clips to restricting video highlight broadcast rights so tight that I can't, with a US IP address, look at clips on legit online sites in the UK, SA, Aus or NZ, they are doing there best to ruin the WC.

What a bunch of maroons!! How difficult is it to check out jerseys before games and make sure there is no clash? And in some of the photos of the rucks and mauls, I can hardly figure out which player was on which team...

For example, check out the photo below. The guy with the ball is Dan Carter, the flyhalf of New Zealand. He is being tacked by 2 Scottish players. I can't believe the IRB couldn't figure out that there is a resemblance here. :thumbsdow

[fulham229]

I was just watching some of the Ireland vs Argentina game. I don't really understand rugby?

[Scrumhalf]

Just like American Football, the object of the game is to touch the ball down behind your opponent's end line. This is called a try (equivalent of touchdown in football) and is awarded 5 points. You can then kick a conversion worth 2 points, for a total of 7 points. You can also kick at goal after a penalty (like a field goal in football), worth 3 points, or drop-kick the ball at goal, worth 3 points, which you can do any time during the course of play.

Now for two crucial differences:

1. NO FORWARD PASSES.

Forward passes are not allowed in rugby. You can only "lateral" the ball like you would in football when you are past the line of scrimmage. The only way to advance the ball forward is by kicking.

2. THE PLAY DOES NOT STOP WHEN THE BALL CARRIER IS TACKLED.

When the ball carrier is tackled, he MUST release the ball immediately. One of his teammates can pick up the ball and run with it or pass it and the game resumes. If he holds on to the ball after being tacked, it is a violation and the other team is given the ball.


There are a myriad of smaller details, like how to restart a stalled game when the ball is on the field (called a scrum) or when the ball goes out of the field of play (called a lineout, similar to a throw-in in soccer) but they will become obvious when you watch.

[mindstar]

It's like Rugby hasn't grown into its professional status yet. That game was brutal. I, personally, blame the all blacks...their name is their jersey, wtf are they doing in those ugly things.

ps. Go Boks!