Rugby Union

Part soccer, part football and the rest is pure craziness.  Still, there is no other sport, past or present, that demands quick reflexes, a tough head and a body that’s ready to withstand the shock and absorption of kicks, shoves, falls and anything else your opponent wants to send your way.

Seasons of Rugby Union bring on excitement, rivalry and adrenaline. Rugby competitions bring out sheer entertainment and demand attention.

One of the oldest rugby competitions “The Competition of Six Nations”  appeared in 1882, concluding of only teams from England & Wales. Later, Ireland and Scotland joined in, making it officially “The Competition of Four Nations”. France joined the battle in 1910 and finally, with the adding of Italy in 2000, “The Competition of Six Nations” got it’s name.

Sometimes picking a winner can be difficult. For example, in 1973, all five teams lost and won in two games during which they got equal quantity of points.  England won most of the time. And the team which wins all the matches of the competition gets a Grand Slam

Other annual competitions include “The Competition of Three Countries” between Australia, Republic of South Africa and New Zealand.

However it’s the Rugby World Cup that boasts being Rugby’s most prestigious tournament. Currently ranked as the second biggest team sports tournament in the world, the Rugby World Cup has been responsible for the conversion of millions of fans to the game and is literally followed by fans across the whole planet.

Twenty national nations compete in the world cup every four years. In September, 2011the World Cup will kick off at Eden Park in New Zealand. It will run for 6 weeks and begin with a group stage, before the surviving teams fight it out at knockout rounds of the tournament.

And it’s set to be a killer. A religion in New Zealand, All Blacks will no doubt put on an unbeatable performance in their home town.  Statistically, New Zealand has been the most successful rugby union team in the world, and with the support of a fanatical host nation, they’ll be sure to take the reigning glory in a battle that will never be compared too.

South Africa and Australia, proving tougher competitors as the years have unfolded, have both captured two titles each. England is the only Northern Hemisphere team to have won the Rugby World Cup.

France has pretty much lost.

The Bledisloe Cup, a well know tournament where the All Blacks have dominated, delivers action packed displays of skill & pure energy and receives record attention both via television and in person.

It is one of the most exciting sports to watch, Its unpredicted play by play giving fans the excitement and rush that they paid for. It’s even a better game to bet on.