The ruck is formed in rugby when players from each team make scrum formation over the ball in an attempt to gain possession by foot.   The physical contact is made with the opposition and the stronger scrum formation drives over the ball on the ground until it is behind their feet.

In the ruck players do not need to take their scrum positions.  Those players first to the ball form the front row.  The body is kept low using strong grips.  All forwards watch the ball and apply weight in the best position to clear the ball.

The best ruck is when your team are first to the ball in the greatest numbers, getting quick possession while the opposition is off balance and out of position.

In rugby, the ruck and maul are key platforms for launching an attack from second phase play.  In a ruck the players are attempting to gain possession of the ball on the ground, usually by foot. 

In a maul the players attempt to gain possession of the ball off the ground or by hand.  A ruck may become a maul or a maul may become a ruck. 

The essence of good rucking is the players’ body position which should be low, with the back horizontal and the feet in a pushing stance, not too wide apart and having weight on the toes.

The ruck is a key piece of play in a rugby game and good rucking can keep a team on to of the game.

The Kiwi’s Rugby League team won the Rugby League World Cup for the first time ever!!!

The win was an upset win in the game played at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday night. The final score was 34-20 to the New Zealand team.

The Kiwis were the underdogs going in to the match and pulled off the biggest upset in World Cup Rugby League history beating the Kangaroos from their number 1 ranking. This was their first loss since 2006!

The Kangaroos won’t be down for long…so some exciting league to come!

He played for the Second XV. He returned to Nelson and convinced his mates to join him playing the game.

On Saturday May 14th, 1870 Nelson College and Nelson Football Club played the first game of rugby in New Zealand at Nelson’s Botanical Reserve. The match was played with 18 players in each side.

Charles Monro played five first class games. He moved to Palmerston North in 1886 and would have had an influence on the formation of the Manawatu Rugby Union founded that year.

By 1888 a British team arrived in New Zealand to play 19 games. The British players became teachers to the New Zealand Native team, the colonial pupils…

Each pass needs to be controlled and without waste movement while different situations will dictate the type of pass to be used.

An understanding and flow must exist between the No. 8, the half-back and the first five-eighth. It is essential to the development of effective attacking play.

A half-back must master a variety of kicks, the ability to break and also have a sound defensive ability especially with huge forwards attacking him. (That’s where the agility comes in). Confidence is paramount in this position and mastery plus, of all skills.

When rugby teams are chosen, the first player chosen is the half-back. Agility and quickness as both a physical and mental quality is important for this position.

The speed of the half-back gives the extra second for a drop goal or an advance of play by the back-line.

Capable hands are another essential. The half-back handles the ball often and awkward fingers will strangle your teams attacking efforts before they begin.

The first year I coached the Under 9 Wests Junior Rugby Union team. Being in control of 15+ Under 9 was an eye opener, particularly for a 24 year old who had no babysitting experience! A well planned session based on my Queensland Rugby coaching manual, “The Game Played in Heaven”, which included large varieties of stretches/fitness & skill drills/games/moves…, created an exciting, informative and smooth running session for all. It was a great reward to see the players improving every week, building in confidence and skills. We had a number of losses at the start, however, we came back and beat most of the teams in the second round and found ourselves at the top of the ladder at the end of the year. With great disappointment, my 2 year of coaching the same team, Under 10’s now, was cut short with work commitments. Their progress through the first part of the year was admirable. They had become a champion team.

Our Kenmore Bears, back when I was playing, were a champion team too! What qualities do a champion Rugby Union team display? Every training session and every match day my coach and I installed 7 important traits on our team:

1. Go Forward - The aim of the game is to put the ball over the try line. This can only be achieved by going forward. Through the middle is the fastest way!

2. Protect the Ball - You can’t go forward and score a try without the ball, nor can the opposition! Secure that ball.

3. Support the Ball Carrier - Give the ball carrier options and don’t let him get isolated!

4. Continuity - Continuous/Exciting play is a result of going forward, protecting the ball and supporting the ball carrier!

5. Fair Play - Penalties just gives the ball and territory to the opposition!

6. Versatility - Players given the opportunity to play in numerous positions create a greater scope and skills of the game.

7. Most important, Have Fun!

Good Coaching!

By Darrin Read

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darrin_Read http://EzineArticles.com/?Coaching-Junior-Rugby—The-7-Traits-of-a-Champion-Team&id=1134473

Canterbury have been crowned Air New Zealand Cup champions, beating Wellington 7-6 in the final.

The Rob Penney-coached team proved too clinical in testing conditions at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium as several All Black contenders made a late push for season-ending tour selection.

Canterbury were triumphant after withstanding a strong and determined wave of pressure from Wellington throughout the second half.

They were guilty of numerous handling errors, but their defence ultimately held out, as it has done for most of the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup.

They were also hammered in the penalty count, with Bryce Lawrence becoming the first ref to finally crack down on Canterbury’s ongoing, but normally ignored, offences at the breakdown.

Wellington coach Jamie Joseph had made a late change to his starting 15, moving Ma’a Nonu in from the wing to second-five, with Tamati Ellison moving into the No 14 jersey.

The Lions had the best share of possession early on, in the process trying to get the ball wide.

However a failure to spread the ball fast, combined with the Wellington defence, saw them lose momentum.

They also weren’t helped when Piri Weepu twice kicked the ball dead-in goal, allowing Canterbury scrum ball in handy possessions.

Canterbury certainly weren’t flashy, but they were effective. They were also helped by a solid platform provided at scrum-time.

Wellington continued to struggle up against the Canterbury defence as the 15-minute mark neared. Too often their attacks were subsequently forced across the field, rather than up it.

Weepu finally opened the scores in the final with a penalty in the 17th minute.

The transplanted first-five also started to come into his own with some smart tactical kicking after his earlier errors.

But it was Canterbury who scored next, with Hayden Hopgood crossing after a strong burst from Tim Bateman. Colin Slade converted.

The weather set in over Westpac Stadium as the final 10 minutes of the first half neared, with the wet and slippery conditions calling for both sides to play a percentage game.

Slade had the chance to extend the lead in the 32nd minute, but missed a handy penalty attempt.

The teams headed for the sheds at halftime with Canterbury up 7-3.

The wet welcomed both sides back onto the field after the break, with some strong Wellington defence jolting the ball free.

Wellington had the first meaningful attack of the second half, with Cory Jane setting Ellison away.

Canterbury were penalised from the resulting breakdown, with Weepu landing the penalty to close the gap to 7-6.

Wellington’s intensity lifted sizably as the Air New Zealand Cup entered its final 30 minutes, hammering into everything.

And it started to have its effect on the Cantabs, with even Richie McCaw joining in on the fumbles which struck the side.

Weepu had the chance to claim the lead for Wellington on the 60-minute mark, but his penalty attempt at goal drifted wide.

Shortly afterwards Alby Mathewson broke free but his pass to support went straight into touch, with the Canterbury defence stretched and the try-line beckoning.

Canterbury eventually cleared the pressure, meaning Wellington had no reward for their lengthy time on attack.

Wellington again went on the attack with game entering its final five minutes.

But the best defence in the Air New Zealand Cup continued to hold them out.

CANTERBURY 7 (H Hopgood try; C Slade try), WELLINGTON 6 (P Weepu 2 pen). HT: 7-3.

2007 Bulls (South Africa) 20 - Sharks (South Africa) 19 played in Durban, South Africa

2006 Crusaders (NZ) 19 - Hurricanes (NZ) 12 played in Christchurch

2005 Crusaders (NZ) 47 - Hurricanes (NZ) 7 played in Christchurch

2004 ACT Brumbies (Australia) 47 - Canterbury Crusaders (New Zealand) 38

2003 Auckland Blues (New Zealand) 21 - Canterbury Crusaders 17

2002 Canterbury Crusaders 31 - ACT Brumbies 13

2001 ACT Brumbies 36 - Sharks (South Africa) 6

2000 ACT Brumbies 19 - Canterbury Crusaders 20

1999 Otago Highlanders (New Zealand) 19 - Canterbury Crusaders 24

1998 Auckland Blues 13 - Canterbury Crusaders 20

1997 Auckland Blues 23 - ACT Brumbies 7

1996 Auckland Blues 45 - Natal (South Africa) 21

Well here are some of the main differences -

Rugby Union has lineouts; rugby league doesn’t.

Rugby Union has unlimited tackles. In Rugby League, the attacking team has a limit of six tackles to do whatever they can with the ball. After the sixth tackle, the ball is handed over to the opposition; they then have six tackles to do whatever they like. And so it goes on.

In Rugby Union, a tackled player must let go of the ball, whereas in league, a tackled player can retain possession.

One of the other differences, one less likely to affect your choice as to which to play, is that Rugby Union has 15 players and Rugby League only has 13 players.

Conversion - When a try is scored, the team that scored the try is allowed a free shot at the goal. If successful, two points are added to their score.

Counter Attack - The attacking move in response to an opposition attack, where the ball has passes from one team to another.

Cross Kick - This is the term for a kick across the ground aimed towards the attacking team’s openside winger, who plans to run through the defence and re-gather the ball.

Cut Out Pass - A pass that deliberately misses one or more players then goes to the next player in the attacking line.

Dead - The ball is said to be ‘dead’ when it is out of play. This occurs when the ball has gone outside the playing area and remained there, or when the referee has blown the whistle to indicate a stoppage, or when a conversion kick is being taken.

Decoy - A player who makes out that he is about to receive the ball in an attempt to deceive the opposition’s defensive line. You will hear the person referred to as a ‘decoy runner’.

Defence - Used by one team to stop the other team when it is attacking.