Unusual Rugby Facts

by polotechnics Thu 23 Jun 2011, 12:01 pm

First topic message reminder :

Thought this would be a good long term topic that could maybe run and run.
I’ll start it off with this.

Did you know that Nigel Walker apparently he never missed an international tackle?
I find it hard to believe but apparently it’s true.

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Sat 25 Jun 2011, 3:35 pm

A young Idi Amin played in the curtainraiser to a match between East Africa and the All Blacks. However the tale alleging that he came off the bench for East Africa vs the 1955 B & I Lions is an urban myth. In the Colonial Army an officer said of him: "Idi Amin is a splendid type and a good (rugby) player, but virtually bone from the neck up, and needs things explained in words of one letter".

by Shifty Sat 25 Jun 2011, 3:36 pm

Growth of rugby in Sri Lanka is huge!
Sri Lanka have 103,325 registered players.
Pre-teen Male Players:35,200
Teen Male Player:48,552

compared to Wales.
Number Of Registered Players:50,557
Pre-teen Male Players:12,318
Teen Male Player:14,500

by Shifty Sat 25 Jun 2011, 3:43 pm

In 1884 Ireland came to Cardiff for the home Nations tournament but didn't have enough players so Wales lent them two of theirs! They got Irish caps!
Wales won 5-0

by red_stag Sat 25 Jun 2011, 3:44 pm

AlynDavies wrote:In 1884 Ireland came to Cardiff for the home Nations tournament but didn't have enough players so Wales lent them two of theirs! They got Irish caps!

Almost 130 years late and little has changed Smile

by Shifty Sat 25 Jun 2011, 3:51 pm

New Zealand first played International rugby in 1903, they remained undefeated for 2 years before Wales gave them their first ever defeat. They won 3-0 in December 1905.

For the first 2 years of their existence New Zealand played they had Navy Blue jerseys, however they decided on an All Black strip for their 1905 tour to the Uk as Scotland played in Navy also and they could only afford 1 set of kit.

by Shifty Sat 25 Jun 2011, 4:02 pm

Neath All Blacks, New Zealand All Blacks and Cornish All Blacks!

Neath RFC is the oldest rugby club in Wales dating back to 1873. they changed it's kit to All Black in 1880 when one of their playes (Dick Gordon) died on the field in a match against Bridgend. Neath's nickname became the Mourners but this was soon changed to "All Blacks" the following season (1881).

In 2003 New Zealand attempted to trade mark the "All Blacks" name and stop any other use of the name, however Neath (supported by the Welsh Rugby Union) wrote to the NZRFU and pointed out they could prove they had used the name since 1881, before New Zealand who had used it since 1908. If New Zealand made any attempt to stop Neath using the name, they themselves would legally copyright it to stop New Zealand using it, based on the fact they had used the name longer.
New Zealand had no choice but to quickly back track.
Both sides quickly came to an accomodation with Neath being able to keep the name and use it on their merchandise with New Zealand copyrighting the name to protect their International assets.

Ironically the Cornish All Blacks (Launceston RFC) have been embroiled in a legal battle with New Zealand over the name. New Zealand wrote to the club in 2008 to complain over the clubs name the Cornish All Blacks which they have used since 1948! New Zealand were apparently worried people would mix the teams up.

"In the professional era, the name "All Blacks" is a highly recognisable, and commercially valuable, brand, with the NZRFU relying heavily on it for its revenue which, in turn, is vital to sustaining rugby at all levels in New Zealand."

"While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, the NZRFU has no alternative but to oppose any efforts by third parties to claim legal rights in the All Blacks name, or to commercially benefit from their association with it," he said.

The Cornish hit back!

"We do not believe that any reasonable person could mistake Launceston RFC for the New Zealand national side and we have never sought to imply that the two are linked, nor have we tried to trade on their name, We were dismayed but unfortunately not surprised when the New Zealand RFU objected to this move". said Launceston RFC president Tony Randel

The irony is that the New Zealand national team became known as the "All Blacks" while playing a match in Cornwall.
The side, which was touring the UK in 1908, were referred to as the "All Backs" by a journalist at the game who was referring to the running rugby they played, but a mistake was made and the phrase "New Zealand played like a team of all backs" was printed as "New Zealand played like a team of all blacks". the name All Blacks stuck for the rest of the tour.

"In order to show our goodwill towards the New Zealand RFU, we would welcome the New Zealand national team down to Polson Bridge at any time for a match," Randel said.

by Don Alfonso Sat 25 Jun 2011, 6:50 pm

I believe the Ulster Schools Cup is the second oldest rugby competition in the world. I think the first is some kind of English inter-hospital affair.

by InjuredYetAgain Sat 25 Jun 2011, 9:54 pm

AlynD, are those stats about Sri Lankan playing numbers accurate? Blimey O'reilly. From my (admittedly very) limited experience of Sri Lankans, I can't see them producing many 6 ft 7, 19 stone locks, though.

by Shifty Sun 26 Jun 2011, 8:21 pm

InjuredYetAgain wrote:AlynD, are those stats about Sri Lankan playing numbers accurate? Blimey O'reilly. From my (admittedly very) limited experience of Sri Lankans, I can't see them producing many 6 ft 7, 19 stone locks, though.

Yes it's off the IRB website.
Madagasgar and Spain have high number also!

by InjuredYetAgain Sun 26 Jun 2011, 8:36 pm

AD, bizarrely I knew that Madagascans were keen on the game. I read somewhere that they had 30,000 at one of their international matches (I don't know what the population of the island is to see if that attendance is even possible).

by Davie Sun 26 Jun 2011, 8:45 pm

Injured - a quick wiki search would tell you that the poplulation of Madagascar is approx 20million

Compared to Scotland's 5 million I'd say that meant an attendance of 30,000 to be eminently possible

by InjuredYetAgain Sun 26 Jun 2011, 8:49 pm

You are having a giraffe surely, 20 million!!??
PS I'm not an Administrator so I have a life (of sorts) and don't have time to play around on Wiki all day Whistle

by InjuredYetAgain Sun 26 Jun 2011, 8:57 pm

A defender can call a "mark" if he is in his own 22 and he catches a pass that was given by the opposition.

by Davie Sun 26 Jun 2011, 8:58 pm

Allow me to help - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar

Honestly, it's not a question of having a life or no life. It took about 30 seconds to bring that page up

by red_stag Sun 26 Jun 2011, 10:34 pm

InjuredYetAgain wrote:A defender can call a "mark" if he is in his own 22 and he catches a pass that was given by the opposition.

Unsual rugby fact or incorrect rugby fact?

by OzT Mon 27 Jun 2011, 10:12 am

I think the laws does say defender can call mark after catching any ball from the oppos, including pass/knockon's/kicks (except directly from the kickoff)

by welshjohn369 Mon 27 Jun 2011, 10:31 am

GG has a tattoo of the St George flag on his arm, a Barber jacket and a burberry hat.

He also smells of old man's trousers.

This months NZ Rugby monthly admits that Hayden cheated Wales out of a win. The laugh at the ref's explination of the reason's he gave. Hayden actually told guys in the line out he was going to "take a dive".

Today's NZ Herald has reported with scorn the poor and laughable ad hoc way Eden Park has been built for the WC. Many readers have written in agreeing on how NH supporters will come to NZ and find the entire stadium & scaffolding a hoot.

by HammerofThunor Mon 27 Jun 2011, 10:32 am

Law 18 Mark
INTERNATIONAL RUGBY BOARD
DEFINITIONS
To make a mark, a player must be on or behind that player’s 22-metre line. A
player with one foot on the 22-metre line or behind it is considered to be ‘in the
22’. The player must make a clean catch direct from an opponent’s kick and at
the same time shout “Mark”. A mark cannot be made from a kick-off, or a restart
kick except for a drop-out.
A kick is awarded for a mark. The place for the kick is the place of the mark.
A player may make a mark even though the ball touched a goal post or crossbar
before being caught.
A player from the defending team may make a mark in in-goal.

by nganboy Tue 28 Jun 2011, 2:32 am

welshjohn369 wrote:GG has a tattoo of the St George flag on his arm, a Barber jacket and a burberry hat.

He also smells of old man's trousers.

This months NZ Rugby monthly admits that Hayden cheated Wales out of a win. The laugh at the ref's explination of the reason's he gave. Hayden actually told guys in the line out he was going to "take a dive".

Today's NZ Herald has reported with scorn the poor and laughable ad hoc way Eden Park has been built for the WC. Many readers have written in agreeing on how NH supporters will come to NZ and find the entire stadium & scaffolding a hoot.

Everyone knows Hayden tried to cheat that's old news. I'm not sure if someone can admit something for someelse though.

by Effervescing Elephant Tue 28 Jun 2011, 10:21 am

AlynDavies wrote:Neath All Blacks, New Zealand All Blacks and Cornish All Blacks!

Neath RFC is the oldest rugby club in Wales dating back to 1873. they changed it's kit to All Black in 1880 when one of their playes (Dick Gordon) died on the field in a match against Bridgend. Neath's nickname became the Mourners but this was soon changed to "All Blacks" the following season (1881).

In 2003 New Zealand attempted to trade mark the "All Blacks" name and stop any other use of the name, however Neath (supported by the Welsh Rugby Union) wrote to the NZRFU and pointed out they could prove they had used the name since 1881, before New Zealand who had used it since 1908. If New Zealand made any attempt to stop Neath using the name, they themselves would legally copyright it to stop New Zealand using it, based on the fact they had used the name longer.
New Zealand had no choice but to quickly back track.
Both sides quickly came to an accomodation with Neath being able to keep the name and use it on their merchandise with New Zealand copyrighting the name to protect their International assets.

Ironically the Cornish All Blacks (Launceston RFC) have been embroiled in a legal battle with New Zealand over the name. New Zealand wrote to the club in 2008 to complain over the clubs name the Cornish All Blacks which they have used since 1948! New Zealand were apparently worried people would mix the teams up.

"In the professional era, the name "All Blacks" is a highly recognisable, and commercially valuable, brand, with the NZRFU relying heavily on it for its revenue which, in turn, is vital to sustaining rugby at all levels in New Zealand."

"While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, the NZRFU has no alternative but to oppose any efforts by third parties to claim legal rights in the All Blacks name, or to commercially benefit from their association with it," he said.

The Cornish hit back!

"We do not believe that any reasonable person could mistake Launceston RFC for the New Zealand national side and we have never sought to imply that the two are linked, nor have we tried to trade on their name, We were dismayed but unfortunately not surprised when the New Zealand RFU objected to this move". said Launceston RFC president Tony Randel

The irony is that the New Zealand national team became known as the "All Blacks" while playing a match in Cornwall.
The side, which was touring the UK in 1908, were referred to as the "All Backs" by a journalist at the game who was referring to the running rugby they played, but a mistake was made and the phrase "New Zealand played like a team of all backs" was printed as "New Zealand played like a team of all blacks". the name All Blacks stuck for the rest of the tour.

"In order to show our goodwill towards the New Zealand RFU, we would welcome the New Zealand national team down to Polson Bridge at any time for a match," Randel said.

Actually the phrase stems from the match against Exeter, not in Cornwall. The Express and Echo article was misquoted i believe "All backs" instead of "all blacks",

by lostinwales Tue 28 Jun 2011, 10:45 am

Javier Bardem Spanish international

by FastEddie1965 Tue 13 Jan 2015, 4:24 am

Shifty wrote:Zimbabwe have done what few teams have ever done, they beat New Zealand in a test series.
In 1949 they defeated the All Blacks 10-8 then drew the second test 3-3!

Zimbabwe was not created until 1980. You mean Rhodesia

by jimbopip Tue 13 Jan 2015, 8:42 am

George "Clownshoes" Clancy broke his mother and father's hearts when he abandoned the family business and ran away from the circus to become a professional referee.

by Taylorman Mon 19 Jan 2015, 3:30 am

Someone dug this out from somewhere...it even has some The grey ghosts originals...ahhh...the memories. Rolling Eyes

by **Biltong** Mon 19 Jan 2015, 5:46 am

In more than 100 years of test rugby, no one has ever scored a hat trick of tries against the Springboks.

by **Biltong** Mon 19 Jan 2015, 6:02 am

SA players who have scored hat tricks or more:

Marius Joubert vs New Zealand
Ray Mordt vs New Zealand
Bryan Habana vs Australia
Bryan Habana vs Samoa
Chester Williams vs Samoa
Danie Gerber vs South America
Danie Gerber vs England
Danie Gerber vs USA
Pieter Rossouw vs France
Pieter Rossouw vs Wales
Stefan Terblanche vs Italy
Stefan Terblanche vs Ireland
Joost v d Westhuizen vs Wales
Joost v d Westhuizen vs Uruguay
Schalk Burger vs Namibia
Tonderai Chavanga vs Uruguay
Gavin Johnson vs Samoa
Deon Kayser vs Italy
Boetie McHardy vs Ireland
Jonge Nokwe vs AUstralia
Breyton Paulse vs Italy
Juan SMith vs Namibia
Andre Snyman vs Tonga
Jan Stegman vs Ireland
Tom v Vollenhoven vs British and Irish Lions
Hennie v Zyl vs AUstralia
Chester WIlliams vs Samoa

by **George Carlin** Mon 19 Jan 2015, 7:23 am

Euan Murray is a veterinary surgeon, with a 'small animal' sub-specialty.

Robert Harley is fluent in French and completely self-taught.

Having run physiological and laboratory tests, scientists have confirmed that Tim Visser is officially more than six (6) times more scared to make a tackle that the average professional player.

by rapidsnowman Mon 19 Jan 2015, 11:42 am

Having run physiological and laboratory tests, scientists have confirmed that Tim Visser is officially more than six (6) times more scared to make a tackle that the average professional player.

George Carlin - most consistently funny poster since ummm left!

Unusual Rugby discussion board fact!

by GunsGerms Tue 20 Jan 2015, 12:19 pm

Thomas Gisborne Gordon is the only amputee to have appeared in international rugby. He earned three caps for Ireland. He only had one hand.

by GunsGerms Tue 20 Jan 2015, 12:25 pm

A try in rugby is called a try because originally they werent worth any points but gave you the opportunity to try to kick at goal for which you were awarded points.

by **George Carlin** Tue 20 Jan 2015, 12:52 pm

rapidsnowman wrote:
Having run physiological and laboratory tests, scientists have confirmed that Tim Visser is officially more than six (6) times more scared to make a tackle that the average professional player.

George Carlin - most consistently funny poster since ummm left!

Unusual Rugby discussion board fact!

by Shifty Tue 20 Jan 2015, 9:59 pm

polotechnics wrote:
Thought this would be a good long term topic that could maybe run and run.
I’ll start it off with this.

Did you know that Nigel Walker apparently he never missed an international tackle?
I find it hard to believe but apparently it’s true.

Rubbish!
14 minutes 55 seconds, he attempts a tackle on a player, bangs his head against his knee and knocks himself out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQeX60neNGU

That's not a completed tackle.

by aucklandlaurie Tue 20 Jan 2015, 10:11 pm

No New Zealander has ever refereed a Rugby World Cup final.

by rapidsnowman Wed 21 Jan 2015, 5:06 am

No New Zealander has ever refereed a Rugby World Cup final.

Ritchie McCaw ?

drumroll

by jimbopip Wed 21 Jan 2015, 11:09 am

rapidsnowman wrote:
No New Zealander has ever refereed a Rugby World Cup final.

Ritchie McCaw ?

by **George Carlin** Wed 21 Jan 2015, 2:01 pm

Chuck Norris has refused every offer Richie McCaw has made for the two to have an almighty tear-up.

Dylan Harley has contributed an article to "Practical Psychology" magazine where describes the 12 easy steps to starting a fight in an empty room. It was praised by that week's guest editor, Danny Grewcock.

Austin Healy's silly scarf collection is so large it crosses an international time zone. When it's 1pm for his fetching brown Aquascutum herringbone, it's noon for his Hackett public school nightmare blue stripey.

by GunsGerms Wed 21 Jan 2015, 4:29 pm

Shifty wrote:In 1884 Ireland came to Cardiff for the home Nations tournament but didn't have enough players so Wales lent them two of theirs! They got Irish caps!
Wales won 5-0

It wasnt the last time a Welshman got contraversially picked ahead of an Irishman.

by neilthom7 Wed 21 Jan 2015, 7:13 pm

Shifty wrote:In 1884 Ireland came to Cardiff for the home Nations tournament but didn't have enough players so Wales lent them two of theirs! They got Irish caps!
Wales won 5-0

Was their name Ruddock by any chance? Headscratch

by Irish Londoner Thu 22 Jan 2015, 10:13 am

Michael Dodds was a member of Englands 1993 Sevens World Cup winning squad as an unsued player. He was issued with full England kit and was presented with a winners medal despite not playing the final.

Nothing unsual except that he was a Scottish international and the final was at Murrayfield !

by goneagain Wed 28 Jan 2015, 7:52 am

When Richie McCaw goes to bed he doesn't turn off the light, he turns on the dark.

by bluestonevedder Wed 28 Jan 2015, 10:28 am

Shifty wrote:
polotechnics wrote:
Thought this would be a good long term topic that could maybe run and run.
I’ll start it off with this.

Did you know that Nigel Walker apparently he never missed an international tackle?
I find it hard to believe but apparently it’s true.

Rubbish!
14 minutes 55 seconds, he attempts a tackle on a player, bangs his head against his knee and knocks himself out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQeX60neNGU

That's not a completed tackle.

How on earth did come across this Shifty? Tell me you didn't trawl through old footage to check?

In his defence, he still gets the guy down. I think it's a completed tackle.

by rainbow-warrior Thu 29 Jan 2015, 10:54 am

GunsGerms wrote:
Shifty wrote:In 1884 Ireland came to Cardiff for the home Nations tournament but didn't have enough players so Wales lent them two of theirs! They got Irish caps!
Wales won 5-0

It wasnt the last time a Welshman got contraversially picked ahead of an Irishman.

Never the less the Welshmen picked did the job and won Smile

by aucklandlaurie Fri 30 Jan 2015, 6:48 am

The only Country to score a try against Australia in 1999, when they won the RWC was the USA.

by **George Carlin** Fri 30 Jan 2015, 8:02 am

Scientists have confirmed that Kieran Read is not scared of the dark. However, the dark is extremely scared of Kieran Read.

by GunsGerms Fri 30 Jan 2015, 9:01 am

aucklandlaurie wrote:The only Country to score a try against Australia in 1999, when they won the RWC was the USA.

It was odd that France did so badly against them after they had just hammered NZ with a La Maison masterclass.

by SecretFly Fri 30 Jan 2015, 12:58 pm

Paul O'Connell was going on to be a swimmer and ballet dancer before choosing rugby where he could use both skills at once.......

by Cyril Fri 30 Jan 2015, 1:12 pm

At 14, Steve Thompson (ex-England hooker) was the British roller-skating champion.

by GunsGerms Mon 02 Feb 2015, 8:36 am

Racing Metro and newly capped France centre Alexandre Dumoulin has revealled that his father is disgraced former France International and wife slayer Marc Cecillion. He has never met him. Cecillon murdered his wife by shooting her at a party. Cecillion featured for France at both the 91 and 95 world cups and was one of France's starting props in Jonah Lomu rugby.

by **George Carlin** Mon 02 Feb 2015, 9:03 am

GunsGerms wrote:Racing Metro and newly capped France centre Alexandre Dumoulin has revealled that his father is disgraced former France International and wife slayer Marc Cecillion. He has never met him. Cecillon murdered his wife by shooting her at a party. Cecillion featured for France at both the 91 and 95 world cups and was one of France's starting props in Jonah Lomu rugby.

and we have a winner.

by aucklandlaurie Mon 02 Feb 2015, 11:22 pm

8 players have played in Rugby World Cups for more than one country.

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