Mum's thoughts on Rugby

Tonight we went to a rugby test (game).  Being on this side of the world is interesting in the sense that all the countries are small so they have a national team to represent their country.  For New Zealand the team is the All Blacks.

Tonight the game was in Wellington against South Africa who is a major rival.  Prior to the game we put on tattoos and face paint to show some national pride.  The game was sold out despite the cold rain.

The pre-game entertainment was opera.  As the opera concert was going they brought 2 huge flags onto the field and the teams entered.  The South African national anthem was sung in Afrikaans and then English.  Next the New Zealand national anthem was sung in Maori then English.  I'm feeling far from Michigan!  Next the All Blacks put some fear into South Africa with the Haka.  South Africa stood facing New Zealand quaking in their shoes as New Zealand did this war dance ending with their faces bugged out and tongues hanging out of their mouths.

Suddenly without warning the test (game) was going.  Within minutes the first, what I call "WWF Move" happened.  A New Zealand guy picked up a South African guy, flipped him over and threw him on his back onto the ground!  The refs. conferred and decided it was legal.

Another move is when the refs aren't really sure whose ball it is so the teams both get into what I call "tackle dummy" position.  Each team makes 3 short rows facing each other just inches apart, head to head ready to plow one another over.  Then another smallish guy timidly tosses the ball under this huddle between the 2 teams.  He literally turns and hightails it out of there to the back of the pile so he doesn't get crushed.  It's a toss up as to which team will win the ball.

My personal favorite move is what I call the "cheerleader lift" move.  The ball has gone out of bounce so each team hoists a man into the air in an effort to catch in ball.  The men fly up with grace and then come down sometimes being caught by their teammate and sometimes not.

Quite frequently there is the "greased pig" move.  The ball has been passed around a lot and they finally figure out which guy to tackle.  Guys from both sides pile on top of the man carrying the ball.  Punches fly and the next thing you know the ball has reappeared and is in play again.  They all run after this new guy and pile on top of him, the ball reappears again and play continues.  This is a bit like the "clumping method" seen in 4 year olds playing soccer.  

Last we have the "slip and slide" play when the guy with the ball dives to the ground and slides 10 yds. to make a "try" (points).

Oh, did I mention that they do all this with no helmets and no pads?  Incredible!

I did enjoy this a lot as it is a quick game with the ball continually in motion and changing directions.  There are no time outs - keeping the game going.  40 min. in each half.  Just throw the boys in the back yard and let them have at it!

No worries - Kris