What is rugby and where is it popular?

Along with cricket, rugby is another sport that originated in England but is now much more popular in other parts of the world.

In Great Britain, they love it especially in Wales.

In contrast to cricket, rugby is also played in Slovenia. There are two clubs in Ljubljana and one in Maribor.

The Slovenian national rugby team also competes in international competitions.

In rugby, which is also played at the Olympic Games, there are seven players from both teams on the field at the same time. This is its lesser known version.

More often, however, it is possible to see a game when 15 players from one team are on the field at the same time. This kind of rugby is also played in Slovenia.

During a match, which lasts for two halves of 40 minutes, the two teams try to score as many points as possible.

These are won by placing the ball in the end zone or by shooting through the goal at both ends of the field.

Rugby is considered a sport in which there are many injuries. The players do not have protective equipment, but a lot of physical contact is allowed.

Rugby is also known, for example, in France and South America, but it is most popular in Australia, South Africa and especially in New Zealand.

The most famous rugby team is New Zealand’s. It’s called the All Blacks.

Maybe you know them too!

The national team dances the haka before every match. This is a special dance of the Māori, the original inhabitants of New Zealand.

Points to Consider

1. Have you seen a game of rugby?
2. Do you know any other sport that is not so known in Slovenia?
3. What do you know about Māori?

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The original version of this article was published on August 1st.

English translation courtesy of JL Flanner, Total Slovenia News, an English language website with news from and about Slovenia.