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That's right, a bunch
of guys wrestling for an oval shaped ball, but more than often,
eyefeasting dribbling maneuvers that involve crashing through
human barriers in an attempt to reach the end of the field to
the delight of a roaring crowded stadium. No pads, no helmets.
It's the joy and the pain, but most of all the excitement of
it all.
For the more curious, it's interesting to know that it's played
in all continents. Rugby is the national sport and pastime of
such countries like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa,
who oddly enough happen to be the best in the world.
The fever is catching on. Only second to soccer, rugby is
the sport most widely played and seen in Argentina.
After the last Rugby World Cup, Argentina was ranked fifth.
Even countries such as Paraguay and the Bahamas compete in the
eliminating rounds. So why not Mexico?
BRIEF HISTORY
It was the 1920s when rugby was first played in Mexico - British
miners and engineers in the Bajio. It didn't really catch on
till 50 years later when some Franco-Mexicans, Anglo-Mexicans
and Mexican-Mexicans decided to make two teams in 1971. Since
then, rugby in Mexico has grown to an average of 10 regular
teams.
We're still a small group of 250 or so enthusiasts who about
10 to 15 double and triple as referees, coaches and officials
under the banner of the Union Mexicana de Rugby, A.C., soon
to become an officially federated sport.
Besides the tremendous efforts of a dedicated few we do have
the invaluable support of some educational institutions such
as the Liceo Franco Mexicano, the Greengates School and the
Universidad de Guanajuato. Our most recent accomplishment has
been a junior league with 5 teams with players from the age
of 14 to 17.
PLAYING THE GAME
But what is rugby? In short, Rugby Union is a contact sport
played by two opposing sides of 15 players who ruled by an offside
- which is marked wherever the ball may be - run, pass and kick
the ball in an attempt to reach the opposite end of the field
to score points. It's a continuous game setting the ball in
motion as soon as this leaves the field or the referee stops
play.
All players are expected to play both defensively and offensively.
There are no such things as time outs, just two halves of 40
minutes. Rugby's origins can be traced to the Roman sport of
Harpastrum and Soule played in France 1,000 years ago. The sport
gained its current name thanks to a 1823 soccer match in which
Webb Ellis, a student in Rugby, England, had the bright idea
of picking up the ball with his hands and with complete disregard
for all, ran with his mates to the opposing goal.
One of the greatest misconceptions of the game is that rugby
is too violent. Not more so than American Football or hockey
- hence the protective clothing. In rugby only the player with
the ball can be tackled and tackling is embraced, no blocking
and rolling. There's a saying in rugby that it's a ruffian's
game played by gentlemen.
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