Trivia Series

[Burgs]

Have just seen this started over on Rugby Heretic and thought it to be a good idea over here.
Quite simple, answer the question and then ask your own in the same post.
Obviously need to make your questions factual rather than opinions!!!
In your answers feel free to give some background info to the situation.
To get the ball spinning, let's go back to the early days of the game:

Name the oldest rugby club in the world?

[Flat-top]

Trinity College Rugby Club, of the University of Dublin 1834?

Who is the most capped international Rugby Union player in the modern era?

[Burgs]

Same year Flat-top but:
The foundation of Guy's Hospital Rugby Club in 1843 is accepted by both the Rugby Football Union and the Guinness Book of Records, making Guy's the oldest rugby club in the world. While no contemporary documentation has survived, abundant circumstantial evidence, including a fixture card from 1883/4 referring to Guy's 40th season and the submission of distinguished officials in 1863 and 1864, confirms the date. No existing club has advanced an earlier claim. www.guysrugby.com/history.asp

George Gregan- 118 (I think that's where it ended up?) having beaten Jason Leonards 114 for his country. There is some debate wether or not to count Leonards Lions Tour matches which I think also takes him to 118.

Name the Western Force's youngest full squad member and youngest apprentice-

[Flat-top]

Very true but Guy's is an English club and by your own admission they haven't really grasped the rules yet so I think my Irish answer is worthy(?)

I wasn't allowing the Lions caps and thought I would pick one of your own. GG a great player.

I'd have to cheat to answer your very West Australian question so I will pass and let someone else scour the squad pages and re-join later.

[Darren]

Stapleton & Pocock

what are the dimensions of a rugby field, and what lines are marked?

[LarryNJ]

Hmmmm...if my memory serves me right I think it's:


The field of play: The area that is in the centre of the ground is the field of play, which measures no more than 100 metres long by no more than 70 metres wide.
The playing area: Encompassing the in-goal areas as well as the field of play is the playing area. The playing area is defined by posts flying flags; the posts are at least 1.2 metres in height.
The in-goal areas: At each end of the playing area are the in-goal areas, which must be between 10 and 22 metres in length and 70 metres in width.



The playing area has numerous lines marked on it, of which the most important are the following:


10 metre line: Two 10 metre lines are marked on the field of play, which are situated 10 metres either side of the halfway line. When a team kicks off, the ball must cross this line for play to continue, in other words, the ball must be kicked at least 10 metres towards the opposing team to allow play to start. If the ball does not travel 10 metres, a scrum is formed in the middle of the field, with the non-offending team getting the scrum feed or put-in.
22 metre line: The field of play has two lines 22 metres out from each tryline. Goal kickers attempt to take conversions near these lines.
Dead ball line: The line beyond the in-goal area at each end of the field is called the dead ball line. Once the ball goes over this line it is out of play.
Halfway line: The halfway line marks the centre of the field and is where the game starts. The game is also restarted at the halfway line after successful tries or penalty goals.
Sideline: The two lines marked along the length of the field are called the sidelines. A ball is described as going into touch when it crosses either sideline and goes out of the field of play. The sideline is also called the touch line.
Touch line: The touch line is the same line as the sideline.
Goal-line (Tryline): The line at either end of the field of play which a player must cross for his team to successfully score a try is called a tryline.

Finally, the target, the goalposts. Goalposts are situated at each end of the playing area and must be 5.6 metres apart with a crossbar, the transverse bar between the goalposts that's three metres from the ground. The minimum height of the goalposts is 3.4 metres. As a safety precaution, the goalposts are usually covered with padding to stop players suffering serious injury if they crash into them.


EDIT: I FORGOT A QUESTION:

Is it true that the U.S.A. won a gold medal at rugby in the Olympics?

[Burgs]

One of the great trivia question Larry, yes they are the "defending" Olympic Champions from way back at the 1924 Paris Games having also won 4 years before in Antwerp. The only other two countries to have won the Gold are France, 1900 Paris and Australasia 1908 London. Truely from an era long past with some of the Australian players coming from clubs such as Glebe, Newtown and Central Western.

Who scored the first points of the 2003 World Cup?

[Flat-top]

Game was between hosts and Argentina. The first try was scored by Wendell Sailor but Elton Flatley had already two penalties converted by then. Australia went on to win 28-8 and top Ireland in the group after beating them 17-16.

Everyone will remember the final and the JW drop-kick but what was the score in the 3rd place play-off in that same WCup.

[LarryNJ]

John Mitchell's New Zealand 40 France 13

Who has the highest career total points in test matches?

[Burgs]

Neil Jenkins for Wales, but no idea the figure. A lot!!!

The only coin used so far for the toss for the first match of each World Cup is unique.
Tell us what is on each face of the coin.
For real brownie points, tell us the story of it's place in rugby history!

[Flat-top]

I have a program from a sort of testimonial he played in after retiring which has him down as 1052 points from 86 games.

[Burgs]

Found the official word from Guinness:

In all internationals, Britain's Neil Jenkins has scored 1,052 points in 86 matches for Wales (1,011 points in 83 matches) and British Lions (41 points in 3 matches), 1991–March 2001.

The only coin used so far for the toss for the first match of each World Cup is unique.
Tell us what is on each face of the coin.
For real brownie points, tell us the story of it's place in rugby history!

[LarryNJ]

A Rose & Fern!
I had a big dinner tonight, not in the mood for brownies!


Remember back just a few years, the year was 2002:

Willie Walker scored the MOST points in a semi-final. How many ?

[Burgs]

Might have stumped us on this one Larry!

[Darren]

18 points in the Super 12 2002, Semifinals - May 18 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch.

When and why was the current scoring system implemented?