Rugby terms

[shasta]

You remain out while you're not out, but when you're out you are no longer allowed to be out and must come in.

That's all very well; but who's on First?


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[brokendown gunfighter]

no,who's on second

[Ecky]

If you think "touch" is odd, what about "try"?

"Nice try mate" usually means you did a pretty good job but didn't quite get there. Out on the rugby paddock, however, it means you done real good.

[SNOB]

True but you don't get a point for missing!

[RugbyRef]

What about the fact if you go from one goal line toward the other you get to a 22m line, then a 10m, line, then a 50m line, then another 10m line then another 22m.

Not quite logical is it?

[NTT]

The description of a try has changed as the scoring system has changed over the years. Originally the objective of the game was to complete a goal. This consisted of firstly placing the ball over the goal line to earn a try at a conversion to score a goal. If a try was achieved but the conversion missed no goal would be awarded. If a try was achieved and the conversion successful you would be awarded a score of 1 goal. As the years passed the allocation of points for a try and a conversion as separate scoring methods was introduced to avoid too many drawn games and for spectator purposes. Penalty goals and Dropped goals were introduced even later down the track.

[NTT]

Truck and Trailer?

[NTT]

Why is the position number 8 called number 8?
5/8s of what exactly? A backline has 7 players, shouldn't it be 5/7?
Why a Second 5/8? What happened to the first one?
Also, Hooker. Nothing funny here. It describes his job at scrum time.

[Ecky]

#8 used to be a lock when the #4 & #5 were second-rowers. Since they became locks they had to call the #8 something imaginative.

Scrum-half is 1/2 back (not all the way back). The bloke at the back is full back. #11 & #14 were called wing 3/4, presumably because they were almost fully back. #10 is between that, so he's 5/8. Then there are two centres. There is no 2nd 5/8 in any rugby team except in EnZed, but what would they know?

[shasta]

The description of a try has changed as the scoring system has changed over the years. Originally the objective of the game was to complete a goal.

I think it's about time someone let the England Team in on that.

[SNOB]

Thanks Ecky after a few sherbets that was hilarious. Will read it again in the morning because I've never understood the Kiwis descriptions.

[RugbyRef]

The history of backs - By a Forward.

It is largely unknown to players and followers of the modern game that rugby started off purely as a contest for forwards in opposition in line-outs, scrums, rucks and mauls. This pitted eight men of statuesque physique, supreme fitness and superior intelligence in packs against one another.

In those days, the winner was the pack that won the most set pieces. The debasement of the game began when backs were introduced. This occurred because a major problem was where to locate the next scrum or line- out.

Selecting positions on the ground for these had become a constant source of friction and even violence. The problem was resolved by employing forward rejects, men of small stature and limited intelligence, to run aimlessly around within the field of play.

Following a set piece, the ball would be thrown to one of them, who would establish the next location either by dropping it or by throwing it to another reject for dropping. Very occasionally, a third reject would receive the ball before it would be dropped, and crowds would wildly cheer on these rare occasions. Initially these additional players were entirely disorganized but with the passing of time they adopted set positions.

For instance, take the half-back. He was usually one of the smallest and least intelligent of the backs whose role was simply to accept the ball from a forward and to pass it on to one of the other rejects who would drop it, providing the new location for the forwards to compete. He could easily (given his general size) have been called a quarter forward or a ball monkey but then tolerance and compassion are the keys to forward play and the present euphemism was decided on.

The five-eighth plays next to the half-back and his role is essentially the same except that when pressured, he usually panics and kicks the ball. Normally, he is somewhat taller and slightly better built than the half-back, hence his name. One-eighth less and he would have been a half-back, three-eighths more and he might well have qualified to become a forward.

The centres were opportunists who had no expertise but wanted to share in the glamour associated with forward packs, after repeated supplication to the forwards for a role in the game they would be told to get out in the middle of the field and wait for instructions. Thus, when asked where they played, they would reply "in the centre". They remain to this day, parasites and scroungers who mostly work as lawyers or used car dealers.

You may ask, why wingers? The answer is simple. Because these were players who had very little ability and were the lowest in the backline pecking order, they were placed as far away from the ball as possible.

Consequently, and because the inside backs were so diligent in their assigned role of dropping the ball whenever they received it, the main contribution to the game made by the winger was not to get involved. Their instructions were to run away as quickly as possible whenever trouble appeared, and to avoid tackles at all costs. The fact that the game was organised so that the wingers didn't get to touch the ball led to an incessant flow of complaints from them and eventually the apt description "whingers" was applied. Even though the "h" dropped off over the years, the whingeing itself unfortunately has not.

Lastly, the full-back. This was the position given to the worst handler, the person least able to accept or pass the ball, someone who was always in the way. The name arose because the forwards would understandably become infuriated by the poor play invariably demonstrated by that person, and call out "send that fool back". He would then be relegated well out of everyone's way to the rear of the field.

So there you have it. Let's return to the glory days of a contest between two packs of eight men of statuesque physique, supreme fitness and superior intelligence. The rest can go off to where they will be happier, playing soccer.

Credit: http://www.wrra.org.nz/?p=1818

[Timbo]

Some stuff never gets old!!
P.S There are times when multiple use of the praise button is necessary!