Rugby league

style="font-size: larger;" | **Rugby league**
General Information

Founded	1895, Huddersfield, England
Previous names	Northern Rugby Football League (1895-1907)
Governing Body	Rugby League International Federation
International Rugby League
Rugby League Nations	Australia Cook Islands Fiji France Great Britain New Zealand Papua New Guinea Russia Samoa Tonga United States
Major International Competitions	Rugby League World Cup The Ashes ANZAC Test The Tri-Nations Pacific Cup Pacific Rim Championship Mediterranean Cup European Nations Cup Emerging Nations Tournament Liberty Bell Cup
Domestic Rugby League
Club Competitions	National Rugby League Super League Challenge Cup French Rugby League Championship SP Cup

Rugby league is a team sport, played by two teams of 13 players. The aim is to carry an oval ball up the field towards the opponents in-goal where the ball is grounded to score a try, worth four points. Having scored the try, the team has the right to attempt to kick a goal worth a further two points if successful. The opposing team attempts to prevent the attacking team from carrying out this objective by tackling the player with the ball. It is one of the two codes of rugby, the other being rugby union.

Rugby league was initially played by a breakaway faction of the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) known as the Northern Union. When similar breakaway factions occurred from RFU-affiliated Rugby Unions in Australia and New Zealand, in 1907 and 1908 they formed associations known as Rugby Leagues and used the modified Northern Union rules. The Northern Union later changed its name to the Rugby Football League. Thus, the game became known as rugby league.

History

Like most forms of football, rugby league's roots can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games which bear little resemblance to modern sports. It is then important to acknowledge the development of the modern codes and two separate schisms in football history.

In the nineteenth century football was most prominently played in private schools. Each school had its own rules based on whatever playing field that was available to them. The rules could be categorised as either handling or kicking forms of football. The kicking and handling forms were later codified by The Football Association and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) respectively.

In 1895 rugby football was later beset with a schism that resulted in the formation of the rebel Northern Rugby Football Union (NRFU). Although many factors played a part in the split, including the success of working class northern teams to the irritation of the gentry who ran the game, the main division was caused by the RFU decision to enforce the amateur principle of the sport, preventing 'broken time payments' to players who had taken time off work to play rugby. Northern teams typically had more working class players who could not afford to play without this compensation, in contrast to southern teams who drew their players from the middle and upper classes who did not depend on such payments. There were similar movements in other countries. In 1895 a decree by the RFU banning the playing of rugby on pitches where entrance fees were charged led to the famous meeting on 29 August 1895. Twenty-one clubs (plus Stockport who negotiated by telephone) met at The George Hotel in Huddersfield and formed the Northern Rugby Union (later to become known as rugby league). Within fifteen years more than 200 RFU clubs had left to join the rugby league revolution.

The NRFU made changes to the rules in order to increase the number of spectators as they were now dependent on money from the turnstile. Organisations allied to the NRFU changed their names from union to league, hence the names rugby league and rugby union.

Competitions

Rugby league is played in more than 30 countries and at all levels.

International

Rugby league at the international level is run by the Rugby League International Federation. The main international competitions that are played are:

Australia

Main article: Rugby League in Australia

Rugby league in Australia is run by the National Rugby League, which administers the club competition, and the Australian Rugby League, which is in charge of the national team, the Kangaroos

The National Rugby League (NRL) is the premier rugby league competition in Australia. The National Rugby League is the result of a merger between the Australian Super League and the Australian Rugby League in 1998. It is played by 15 teams based on the east coast of Australia and Auckland.

The Australian Rugby League (ARL) are in charge of the running of the national team, the Kangaroos, the State of Origin and the old Rugby League World Sevens. The Kangaroos have been the dominant force in rugby league since the 1970's.

The Queensland Rugby League QRL governs the game in Queensland, and runs the Wizard Queensland Cup

The New South Wales Rugby League is in charge of the game in New South Wales, and runs the VB Premier League, the Jim Beam Cup and other local competitions.

The Country Rugby League of New South Wales is in charge of the game in New South Wales country areas.

The Victorian Rugby League (VRL) administers the game in Victoria

The Western Australia Rugby League (WARL) administers the game in Western Australia

The South Australian Rugby League (SARL) administers the game in South Australia

The Northern Territory Rugby League (NTRL) administers the game in the Northern Territory

United Kingdom

''Main articles: Rugby League in England, Rugby League in Wales, Rugby League in Scotland and Rugby League in Ireland

Rugby league in the United Kingdom is administered by the Rugby Football League (RFL), who control both the club game and the Great Britain side. The RFL are also in charge of the England national rugby league team: other bodies linked to the RFL are responsible for the Wales and Scotland teams. The RFL administer the premier professional European competition, Super League (Europe), and co-operate with the British Amateur Rugby League Association in administering the amateur game in England. The two main competitions under their auspices are:

Super League (Europe) is the premier professional competition in Europe. It was formed initially as a breakaway from the (British) Rugby League Championship in 1996, but has since been re-integrated into the RFL's structures. Promotion and Relegation takes place each year as teams move between Super League and National League One. In 2006 a French team, Les Catalans joined the competition. Further expansion has been slated for beyond 2008.

The Challenge Cup is a Europe-wide knock-out competition. First held in 1896, it was initially it was only for British clubs (amateur and professional), though in recent years the entry has been expanded to allow French and Russian teams to take part.

New Zealand

Main article: Rugby league in New Zealand

Rugby league in New Zealand is under the control of the New Zealand Rugby League, which runs the national competition, the Bartercard Cup and the national team, the Kiwis. One New Zealand club, New Zealand Warriors, play in the otherwise Australian National Rugby League.

The game in New Zealand is strong and lately several star players have risen to prominence. Amongst them are Sonny Bill Williams and Benji Marshall. In 2005, the optimism surrounding New Zealand rugby league was justified by their victory over Australia in the Tri Nations final held in the UK.

Papua New Guinea

Main article: Rugby league in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is the only country to have rugby league regarded as its national sport. The game is administered by the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) which runs the national competition, the SP Cup and organises the national team, known as the Kumuls.

France

Main article: Rugby League in France

Once a strong test playing nation,the game in France suffered after an assault by the Vichy government in the 1940's. In December 1941, Philippe Petain signed an order drafted for him by the French Ministry of Sport banning rugby league. Rugby league's assets were seized, grounds were taken over, and players were 'invited' to play Rugby union. Those who didn't were blacklisted. The repercussions of this many believe are still felt today, although the standard of football from the Chanteclairs is gradually improving. French club Les Catalans debuted in the Super League (Europe) in 2006. The governing body of rugby league in France is Fédération Française de Rugby à Treize, and the national competition is the French rugby league championship. The domestic competition in France is the French rugby league championship. French rugby league's most famous player is undoubtedly, Robert Puig-Aubert.

United States of America

''Main article: Rugby league in the United States

Rugby league was first introduced into the United States is 1953, but did not last for long. The Australian Rugby League took a State of Origin exhibition match to California in 1987, but the first club competition, the American National Rugby League, began a decade later, in 1998. Currently, there are 11 teams in the AMNRL, mainly based in the North Eastern States of the country.

Other countries

Intranational level

Club level

The two main rugby league competitions are the National Rugby League (in Australia and New Zealand) and the Super League (in Great Britain and France). The champion team from each competition play for the World Club Challenge each February.

Playing rugby league

Rugby league is played by two teams on a rectangular field with a length generally double the width. The in-goal areas, located at each end of the field, are used to score a try. At the intersection between the field of play and each in-goal area are also a set of goal posts in the shape of the capital letter H, used for point scoring via a field goal, penalty goal or conversion. The aim is to score more points than the other team, and each of the above scores carry different numbers of points. Although the exact number for each has varied over time, currently tries are worth four points, conversions and penalty goals are worth two points and a field goal, also known as a drop goal, is worth one point.

Rugby league consists of an attacking team, who has possession of the ball, and a defending team, who must attempt to stop the attacking team from scoring. In order to score points the attacking team must move up field. To do this they use a combination of kicking and running head-on into the defensive line to either force back the defence or break the defensive line. The defending team must devise tactics to limit the effectiveness of the attacking team's ball running and kicking.

The attacking team has six chances to attempt to score. The defending team tries to stop the attacking team from scoring by tackling the player with the ball. When a player is tackled, the entire defending team, with the exception of two markers, must move back 10 metres towards their in-goal area. The tackled player must then play the ball.

After each tackle the attacking team is usually closer to the opposition's in-goal area and hence goal posts. If the attacking team is tackled a sixth time, a change over also known as a hand over takes place, where the defending team becomes attacking and vice versa.

Attacking Tactics

The largest players generally move the ball up field through what is known as a hit up in order to push back the defence; in other words gain field position.
Skillful forwards will attempt to pass the ball after drawing in the defence which breaks down the effectiveness of the defensive line; known as an off-load.
The attacking team may use combinations of plays utilising speed, passing and kicking designed to confuse the defence, breaking down the effectiveness of the defensive line.
Kicking is most commonly attempted as a last ditch attempt to score, when a team has used all of its 'chances'. Kicks are used to break the defensive line or to gain field position.

Defensive Tactics

A defending team must effectively defend against ball runners. The sliding defence and the umbrella defence are effective in stopping line breaks.
Players in the defence usually drop out of the defensive line to cover the back half of the field in order to defend against line breaks and kicks.
A defensive team may force the attacking team in to touch or force errors which gives possession to the defending team.
Late during the tackle count an attacking team uses an array of tactics to put themselves in the better defensive position on the opposite side of the 'change over'.
The Full Back is behind the defensive line marshalling the defence covering gaps in the line. Also he defends against line breaks

Players

Players on field are divided into forwards and backs. Each position has a designated number, 1 through to 13. Numbers 14 and higher are given to players on the bench, who only come on to the field to replace a starting player who is either injured or tired.

Backs

The backs are generally smaller and more athletic. Backs are likely the most creative and evasive players on the field, preferring fine skills, tactics and/or set plays to break the defensive line in favour of brute force.

The title of full-back comes from the fullback's defensive position where the player drops out of the defence line to cover behind the defensive line from kicks and runners breaking the line. They therefore usually are good catchers and clinical tacklers. In attack the fullback will typically make runs into the attack or support a runner in anticipation of an offload pass out of the tackle. Fullbacks can play a role in attack similar to a halfback or 5/8th and the fact that the fullback doesn't have to defend in the (first) defensive line means that a coach can hide a playmaker from the tackling responsibilities of the first line whilst allowing them to retain their attacking role, e.g. Brent Webb or David Peachey.
The wings (or wing three quarters) are normally the fastest players in a team and play on the far left and right fringes of the field. Their main task is to receive passes and score tries.
The centres or centre three-quarters are positioned one in from the wings and together complete what is known as the three-quarter line. Usually the best mixture of power and vision, their main role is to try and create attacking opportunities and defensive duties.
The scrum half (or halfback) is the player who directs the game and are usually the smallest players on the pitch. The scrum half, along with the stand off together form the "creative unit" of the team. They will control the attack, deciding how the team attacks and if and when the ball is kicked. This player is also responsible for making sure all the other players are in the right position for an attacking move.
The stand off (or 5/8th) can sometimes be the most skillful player and main tactical kicker in the game (usually this role -'Playmaker' - is either the scrum half or stand off depending on the coach's preferences). In interaction between the 'playmaker' positions (Scrum half, Stand Off, Loose Forward and Hooker), the stand off will usually be involved in most passing moves.

The half-back position mentioned above is named after the rôle or location of the player with respect to the scrum during the scrum. To understand the half back or any other players role in the scrum, see rugby league positions.

Forwards

The forwards' two responsibilities can be broken into 'normal play' and 'scrum play'. For information on a forward's role in the scrum see rugby league scrummage. Forward positions are traditionally named after the player's position in the scrum yet are equal with respect to 'normal play' with the exception of the hooker. Forward positions are traditionally broken into:

Front row forwards (two prop forwards and a hooker).
- Props are normally the largest players on field and usually weigh over 100 kilograms or 15 stones in the men's game. They are positioned in the centre of the line The prop will be an 'enforcer', dissuading the opposition from attacking the centre of the defensive line and in attack give the team momentum by
- The hooker is most likely to play the role of dummy-half'' In defence the hooker usually defends in the middle of the line against the opposition's props and second-rowers. The hooker will be responsible for organising the defence in the middle of the field. In attack as dummy-half this player is responsible for setting the play from every play-the-ball and passing the ball to the right player. It is vital that the hooker can pass very well. Traditionally, hookers 'hooked' the ball in the scrum.
Second row forwards, The second row is expected to be faster, more mobile and have more skills than the prop and will play amongst the three-quarters, providing strength in attack and defense when the ball is passed out to the wings. Good second rows combine the skills and responsibilities of props and centres in the course of the game.
The loose forward (or Lock) is the only forward in the third (last) row of the scrum. They are usually the fittest players on the field, covering the entire field on offensive and defensive duties. Typically they are big ball-runners who can occasionally slot in as a passing link or kick option; it is not uncommon for loose forwards to have the skills of a half back and to play a similar role in the team.

For further information on player's positions, see rugby league positions.

Rugby league worldwide

The game of rugby league is most commonly played in Rugby league in Europe and the Rugby league in Oceania. Of these two areas Oceania is the strongest region. Rugby league is highly popular in Australia, New Zealand, and the Papua New Guinea where rugby league is recognised as the national sport. It is extremely rare for players outside of NRL to gain attention for international honours, and so the European game is often seen as a finishing ground for retiring players and those seeking a more advanced career, such as New Zealand legend Stacey Jones who joined Les Catalans in 2006 after ten years as a star of NRL.

Amongst the European nations, rugby league has struggled to become accepted outside of the "heartland" towns of northern England where the game originated. Despite having had many strong teams through history, Rugby à Treize in France has struggled to compete with Rugby Union since the Vichy government banned the sport during World War Two. However, early 21st century developments have seen Georgia, Germany, Estonia, Malta and Rugby League Playing Nations links take part in international rugby league tournaments or matches. There are now over 20 nations currently active in their rugby league pursuits.

Australia have won every world cup since 1975. Until November 25, 2005, they had also not lost a tournament or series of any kind for nearly thirty years. This record was finally broken when they lost to New Zealand in the final of the 2005 Tri-Nations Series.

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