Rugby

[Steve Spurrier III]

I'm trying to learn the sport of rugby, and was hoping that some of our international (or educated domestic) friends might be able to help.

Is rugby played professionally? It seems that the national teams are the most popular, and I can't figure out if those players are paid or not. Does anyone know where the best rugby players play, and how they are compensated? Is there an event that is considered the "Super Bowl" of rugby? Perhaps the World Cup?

As always, thanks in advance for any help.

[tcwest10]

Rugby is not, technically, a sport.

http://www.playrugbyusa.com/programs/development.html

[frankcal20]

Rugby is not, technically, a sport.

http://www.playrugbyusa.com/programs/development.html

If you have ever played it, you would know that rugby is probably the most physically demanding sport in the world next to running with the bulls. If you have an opportunity to catch it on TV I would check it out. Check out this team. They are the best in the world pretty much year in and year out.

http://www.allblacks.com/

Rugby is where football came. You will notice that when they score the place the football on the ground in the endzone. This is called a "Touchdown." It has some similarities of soccer and football. Check it out.

[tcwest10]

I know. I say that about everything except football.
In fact, "Eleanor Rugby" is one of my favorite Beatles songs of all time.
At least SOS is getting some good sites out of it.

[Amberion]

I'm trying to learn the sport of rugby, and was hoping that some of our international (or educated domestic) friends might be able to help.

Is rugby played professionally? It seems that the national teams are the most popular, and I can't figure out if those players are paid or not. Does anyone know where the best rugby players play, and how they are compensated? Is there an event that is considered the "Super Bowl" of rugby? Perhaps the World Cup?

As always, thanks in advance for any help.

SS III - there are 2 versions of Rugby and I suspect that you are playing Rugby Union

At the present time the international teams are professional and the World Cup is held every 4 years (similar to the soccer world cup)

World Cup's have been won by New Zealand (currently the best team ) Australia (twice), South Africa and England

Next World cup is later this year and will be held in France

[Steve Spurrier III]

SS III - there are 2 versions of Rugby and I suspect that you are playing Rugby Union

At the present time the international teams are professional and the World Cup is held every 4 years (similar to the soccer world cup)

World Cup's have been won by New Zealand (currently the best team ) Australia (twice), South Africa and England

Next World cup is later this year and will be held in France

Thank you - Rugby Union is the sport.

So how much are the players paid? Is that decided by the individual countries federation? And if the World Cup is only held every four years, what kind of competitions are held in the three years in between?

Also, any idea if the World Cup (or any other rugby) is televised in the United States? I'm working on basic cable here, no channel 8000. I suppose my best bet is a bar that does feature those channels...

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it.

[Amberion]

So how much are the players paid? Is that decided by the individual countries federation?

It varies and is decided by the federation

And if the World Cup is only held every four years, what kind of competitions are held in the three years in between?
There are 2 major competitions at international level each year. The first is the Six Nations played in the Northern Hemisphere comprising England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Italy and France. The Southern Hemisphere has a similar comp for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Southern hemisphere also has an almost international standard comp called the super 14's with 5 teams from New Zealand and South Africa and 4 from Australia

Also, any idea if the World Cup (or any other rugby) is televised in the United States? I'm working on basic cable here, no channel 8000. I suppose my best bet is a bar that does feature those channels...
I have no idea - I live in Australia and it will be live here
Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it.

[Steve Spurrier III]

Southern hemisphere also has an almost international standard comp called the super 14's with 5 teams from New Zealand and South Africa and 4 from Australia.

Are these teams made up of players from the national teams, or different club teams entirely? Do players from New Zealand's All-Blacks, for example, participate on one of the five New Zealand teams?

And so in Australia, is the Tri Nations Series the biggest deal in rugby union, save the World Cup?

It just doesn't seem like a whole lot of matches. Do they also televise club matches in Australia?

[Amberion]

All tri-nation players also have a super 14 team they play for as well

Order of importance varies depending on which coutry you come from

In Australia beating new zealand takes precedence regardless of what competition it is in