5 interesting rugby facts you should know

• Rugby is a game of end-to-end tries, unrivalled passion and the biggest hits, which requires huge levels of skills. 
• It is one of the most popular and physical sports in the world. 
• Rugby has been played for more than 200 years since its invention at Rugby School in Warwickshire, England.

While looking at five interesting rugby facts, we can all agree it is one of the world’s most popular and physical sports.

The beautiful game of end-to-end tries, unrivalled passion and the biggest hits requires high athletic intelligence and huge levels of skills. 

Rugby has been played for more than 200 years and it reportedly has over five hundred million fans worldwide. Since its start, a schism in the sport has led to two different professional games – rugby union and rugby league. 

In its history, rugby has created some incredible moments and has touched the lives of many across the globe. 

Here, we will look at five interesting Rugby facts you should know. 

1. William Webb invented rugby

William Webb Ellis is credited for inventing the game of rugby in 1823. The legend goes that William was playing football at Rugby School in Warwickshire, England, when he picked a ball.

He ran with the ball in his hands around the field, leading to the birth of a new sport in the school. There is little evidence to prove this story, but many people believe it is true.

William Web picked the ball and ran with it. Photo/ Fine Art America.

Forty years after William Webb invented rugby, a collection of boarding schools and clubs decided to set rugby rules.

Rugby Football Union was formed in 1871, and the first international rugby match was played that same year. The game, which was between Scotland and England, ended 1-0 in favour of Scotland.

The Rugby World Cup Trophy was named after William Webb, and after every four years, the team that wins the Rugby World Cup is handed the William Webb Ellis Trophy.

2. Rugby Was Made Professional In 1995 

One of the interesting ruby facts is that it was made a professional unit in 1995. The official governing body for rugby, IRB, previously recognized rugby as an amateur sport.

Unrestricted and open payment was not allowed in the physical game until it became a professional unit. Before 1995, rugby players made stipends and collected little money after matches.

Making the sport a professional unit led to the inception of transnational competitions like Super Rugby and the Heineken Cup. 

3. England Is The Only Team In The Northern Hemisphere To Win The Rugby World Cup

Despite the fact that rugby originated from the northern hemisphere, teams from the south have been more successful over the years. 

England is still the only team from the north of the equator to win a Rugby World Cup. England won the prestigious tournament in 2003 following Jonny Wilkinson’s legendary kick.

England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003. Photo/ Belfast Telegraph.

In the last nine Rugby World Cups, Australia have emerged victorious twice, while New Zealand and South Africa have been crowned champions three times each. 

France have lost in the finals of the Rugby World Cup three times – 1987, 1999 and 2011. England, on the other hand, have also lost three times (1991, 2007, 2019). 

4. New Zealand Have A Winning Record Against Everyone

The New Zealand Black Ferns are one of the most successful teams in Rugby. Few teams in any sport have an impressive record as the Black Ferns throughout history. 

Since playing their first match in 1903, the Black Ferns have managed to win 78% of their games. The All Blacks were the first rugby team to win 500 test matches. 

They also have a winning record against all the 22 teams they have played against over the years. 

New Zealand have won three Rugby World Cups. The only teams who have been challenging New Zealand’s success in rugby are South Africa and Australia. 

5. Japan Was The First Asian Nation To Reach The Knockout Stages 

Japan became the first Asian nation to host the Rugby World Cup when it hosted the 2019 edition.

They also became the first Asian nation to reach the knockout stages of a Rugby World Cup, which is one of the interesting rugby facts.

Japan won the hearts of many rugby fans with their impressive performance at their home ground. 

The Cherry Blossoms shocked the whole world when they beat Scotland during the 2019 edition to advance to the knockout stages.

The Cherry Blossoms in 2019. Photo/ Stadium Astro.

However, South Africa, who eventually won the tournament, were too strong for the Cherry Blossoms in the quarter-finals.