How big is Rugby in countries besides America?

Question

I love the game its awesome and our school just started a team. Rugby is not big here at all. Theres 1 store every thousand miles. Its never on tv at all and No one knows about it. How different is it in other countries? detailed answers please

Answer 1

Rugby is the fastest growing sport in several countries globally. It started at Rugby School in England, a public boys school that is now effectively a private schoool.
Rugby is the national sport of New Zealand and Wales. It is very popular in two states of Australia, in South Africa (particularly among the white population), in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Ireland, where games are usually televised free-to-air. It's big among parts of the population in Argentina, Uruguay, England and Scotland, and is a well rooted minor sport in France, Italy and Japan.
It is the official sport of the Chinese army, which has the most rugby players of any nation (but consistently does very badly at international competitions, haha Made In China...). Japan has the most school boy rugby players in the world. New Zealand has the most amateur club team players.
It is a growing sport in Korea, Canada, Taiwan, Romania, India, Eastern Europe, Northern Europe an South-East Asia, as well as of course in the The USA.
Most of the early spread of rugby is attributable to British colonialism, in countries from Argentina to New Zealand to South Africa. In Australia there was a mix of settler colonisation and colonisation by convicts. There the sport split into Australian Rules football (which is related to Irish Gaelic football, and quite different) and the original rugby. This is rather like the split in the US, where anti-British colonial feeling led to the creation of baseball and Amercian football from their root sports cricket and rugby.
In the UK, within rugby, there was a schism during the beginning of the labour movement, and Rugby Union divided from Rugby League. Union was a sport of private schools, while Rugby League became the sport of the miners, working class and labourers. Rugby League is a lot more physical, hard hitting; less technical, and with less specialised positions than rugby. Rugby League is remains very popular in two states of Australia, and in traditional mining and industrial parts of the UK. However Rugby Union is a truely international sport, although not yet on a par with soccer or basketball.

For a list of rugby playing nations that rate, check out the international rankings list at:
http://wrr.live555.com/

The US has been climbing well over the last 5 years. Still loses to Canada though... perhaps not for long, if there are more guys like you getting into the sport.

You can also have a look at the world IRB (International Rugby Board - like FIFA is for soccer)
http://www.irb.com/en/World+Rankings/world+rankings+full.htm

Current rugby globally -
There is currently the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament going on in Europe, between France, England (the last Rugby World Cup winners), Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
http://www.6-nations-rugby.com/

The Super 14 season (between 14 professional club sides from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, which stand out as 3 of the strongest rugby nations in the world) has also just begun in the Southern Hemisphere, as it comes into autumn there.
http://www.super14.com/

It is Rugby World Cup year, and it's on in France this year. See -
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/EN/home

And in Hong Kong now there is the Sevens Rugby tournament. Sevens Rugy is a faster running version of the game, more open, with only half the players. Check out the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament, which is on in March.
http://www.hksevens.com/index.html

Sevens is the national sport of Fiji. They always kick *** at it.

Beyond this, there is also Touch Rugby, a no-tackle rugby variation, that is becoming a strong sport in it's own right. It was originally just a fun training game.
http://www.touchrugby.com/

Basically Rugby Union is king and global, growing all over. In most of the main playing nations it's a professional sport.

Rugby League is mostly big in Australia and the UK, but has been professional for a couple of decades.

Sevens Rugby is an off-shoot, and so is Touch Rugby; they're kind of rugby-lite, but good fun.

Aussie Rules Football and American Football grew out of Rugby Union, but are quite different sports now.

I'm glad you're getting into it. Rugby's a great sport, exciting to watch, even more exciting to play. Pure adrenalin, full contact and a whole lot more inclusive and less waiting around than American football.
We've just had a guy from Chicago join our club side here in Hiroshima. He used to be a safety in American football, and now he's loving rugby. But it's all good mate. Go hard!

Answer 2

Rugby is huge in other countries and is the main sport in some. The world leaders in rugby are the New Zeland All Blacks, an awesome team. Australia are also world class as are South Africa, Argentina, Ireland, England, France and Wales. For a real treat in rugby try to see any of the tri-nations cup from the southern hemisphere. Scotland and Italy have fairly decent teams as well. Definately it's huge in most of those countries and you would find it difficult to find anyone who doesn't know a bit about the sport. In the northern hemisphere, The 6 Nations international rugby tournament is in full swing right now and there is massive interest in it. We also have The Heineken European Cup for club and regional teams being contested. The weekend before last, Ireland played France in Dublin and it was a sellout with over 80,000 in attendance. Twice that number, at least, would have gone if tickets had been available. For me and millions like me, it's one of the best sports in the world and certainly the second most skillful after hurling!

Answer 3

I' m french , it' s very popular in the south-west of our country, it' s practised in the rest of France, but unfortunately not as much as soccer.
Generally french people like rugby even if they don' t practise it, it' s a part of our culture, in France you can watch a rugby match on tv easily.
I have been playing rugby for 11 years, it 's in my blood , every weeks it ' s the same, bruises, body hurts, blood (sometimes it' s more serious) but I' m still ready for another rugby match. Rugby is so rough and so tough , so it' s not for everyone, you have to be very strong. That' s why i think some people do not like practising rugby, especially in France !!
What i like the most with rugby, that' s the bonds with your team, they're all your brothers, and also the lack of business in this sport unlike soccer.
Anyway if you come in France, in any average city you will find a rugby team. Come for watching a game and talk with people you will feel this special atmosphere, a rugby friendly atmosphere.

PS Sorry for my mistakes. i know my english is bad.

Answer 4

Basically Rugby is a way of life in most South Pacific Islands. Rugby has become so important to us, it is almost like a religon. Rugby is the heart of Fiji which brings every races together. Whenever Fiji is playing, it is a day the nation also stops. Everyone will be watching on TV or listening to the radio.

Answer 5

Rugby is huge in Australia - especially Sydney. There is a national competition here. There are two codes, Rugy Union and Rugby League (the most commercial). The sport is played a lot in Australian schools. You can check out the main national action at www.rugbyleague.com.au and www.rugby.com.au (Rugby Union). Enjoy

Answer 6

Rugby is HUUUGGEEE here in Australia - especially country rugby - meaning rugby in rural areas. Go the Goondiwindi Emus!!!

Answer 7

Hi there well here in south africa rugby is huge and no not only amoungs the white population. for us rugby is more than just a game it runs through our veins its a part of us we all get toghter have a braai and a few beers and enjoy the game.

Answer 8

In New Zealand,rugby is HUGE!Same with Aussie not sure about any other places.

Answer 9

I am Welsh and Rugby is the number one sport here.