rugby

Union: A game that takes balls to play. Gibby is playing it in heaven right now.

If you are part of the pack you fight over the ball every time there is a tackle and make up the entire scrum. Tight (3) or Loose (1), propping always hurts. You get both sides of the scrum squeezing your vertebrae together. 2nd rowers (locks)(4/5) love to grab props nads. Flankers always break off early on the defensive side and make the tackle (6/7). The 8-man is pretty versatile in that he both stops the ball with his feet and does 8-man pickups. He tends to be a large, strong, technically sound player.

The best forward #2- Hooker is an incredibly important and difficult position. They can vary in size from the largest to the smallest player on the team. In every scrum he must either get the ball from the scrumhalf and hook it back with his foot or try to steal it from the other hooker (I love doing that from tighthead). It is the position with the most pressure as well as the most dangerous position if a scrum collapses. (I have had 400 kilos/880 pounds on my neck). Hookers also throw the ball in during lineouts.

If you are a back you can be a pansy and kick it away, be an intelligent back and pass it just as you are tackled, be a manly back and get tackled by a forward who is twice your size, dodge around people and score, or try to imitate Johnny Wilkinson.
There are 7 backs. The Scrumhalf (9) is similar to a quarterback in American Football. It is the scrumhalf's job to toss the ball out at every ruck. They are excellent decision makers. The Flyhalf (10) is usually a good kicker and is the scrumhalf's backup. He is always ready to be the first pass out from the scrumhalf but can be ignored entirely or skipped. The inside and outside centers blend together and are just people who get passed to (12/13). The wingers cover the sides of the field and can also kick.

The best back #15- The Fullback. Possibly the most mentally stressful position. On offense, he melds with the backline and does as much or more than the outside centers.
The last line of defense for the rugby team. Any kick that goes deep into either team's territory will be recovered by the fullback or will be a try. Some fullbacks are more skilled than punt returners in American Football and will break three or four tackles befor going down. If a player breaks a long run and gets passed all the other players, he has a one on one with the fullback. Fullbacks are without question the best tacklers. They never miss.

League: Like union with less players and without rucking, a bit slow. Mainly Aussies (Roosters) and some Kiwis (Warriors)

The fullback caught the ball at the twenty-two and ran it up the touch line to the other twenty-two. As he was tackled he passed the ball to the unmarked hooker who dived in for the try just as five of the other teams players reached him.

The finest game of American (yes that's right, we play too) High School Rugby. Go Lions, beat Xavier

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