Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with rugby

Help me learn the rules of rugby so I can referee a game.

HopStopDon'tShop — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:10:57 -0800

RugbyFilter: help me find a resource that explains, in both intricate detail and user-friendly terms, all of the rules of rugby. I've been asked, by a clearly desperate soul, to ref a game in January and need to get into shape (rules-wise) by then. I am rugby player but haven't played for years nor can I watch it regularly on tv (although I do, clearly, have internet access). As a result the rules are all very vague in my head, as are the associated penalties. Are there sites that you know of (my google-fu is weak) that explain all of the rules, in detail, but not in complete sport-legalese.

And no, I shouldn't be a referee with this clear lack of qualifications but, as I said, this guy is desperate.

Help a British Ex-Pat Access Overseas Content (BBC, iTV, premier league football, etc...)

ghostpony — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:10:32 -0800

My father is a British ex-pat who is craving some good old fashion football/cricket/BBC. Please share some advice about best way to access this content while in the states. My father is a British ex-pat who has lived in the states for some 20 odd years. After many years of paying through the nose for pay per view football matches and the occasional cricket test match he gave up.

Can you give us some advice about the best way to access this content? He is interested in watching Premier League matches, cricket, rugby, and most everything the BBC puts out. He is particularly interested in live-streaming matches, but would take what he can get.

Also news to me Hulu has a UK only site that features content from Channel 4, ITV, and other UK only channels, and so access to that would be welcome.

Do you have any advice? Where do we start?

Last Rugby Game of the Season! featuring: Stitches in my Hand! play/not play?

crawfo — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:59:31 -0800

I have stitches in my hand, and am wondering if it's a bad idea to play my rugby game tonight. Feedback from ruggers and others alike more than welcome :) YANMD, but --
so at our game on Saturday, I tore the web between my middle and ring finger on my right hand. I usually play inside centre, so have to catch the ball a lot, and just plain old caught it wrong. There are seven stitches holding it back together.

Our last game of the season is tonight, and I really want to play. The doctor on Saturday said she thought it'd be fine, but in retrospect, it's possible she doesn't really get what rugby is (that I'll be throwing ppl around, getting stepped on, etc).

Have any of you played with stitches before? Is this a really stupid idea to play? Is my judgement being clouded by the really-wanna-play factor?

Women's rugby boots, downtown Toronto?

crawfo — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:51:43 -0800

Where can I find small women's rugby shoes in Toronto? I have small feet (about 6.5 women's, maybe 7 on a big day), and am searching for rugby shoes in downtown Toronto.

I've been told that I can buy soccer cleats with detachable studs, but most places (Adidas Superstore, Sportchek, Footlocker, etc. . . ) don't even carry those :(

Also tried the Avanti Sports Group (soccerrugby.com) but am still at a loss.

Anyone know of any super secret downtown Toronto places that a girl might find a) rugby boots, or b) soccer cleats that i could manipulate into rugby boots?

Anti-England Rugby songs?

kalimac — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:57:27 -0800

I am a fan of Wales' rugby team. I live with an England fan. Please help me make his life that much more annoying. So, I've recently converted to being a rabid Welsh fan, but aforesaid flatmate (along with many other friends) have a leg up on me by having grown up here in the UK, and thus they already know all the rude songs about Wales' team. As I'm living in a country full of people whose national identity involves singing, I'm convinced there's something a bit dirtier than "As Long as We Beat the English" out there, but I have yet to find it. And I can't really spend my whole life making fun of Martin Johnson's eyebrows.

Any songs/chants/whatever people can come up with would be hugely awesome. I'm reasonably solid on the Welsh anthems, but anything is welcome :) Cheers!

Can I take up a team sport at my age?

ascullion — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:37:41 -0800

I'm 30 years old, in the UK, and I want to start playing a team sport. Probably rugby. I haven't kicked a ball in anger since I was 15, and I wasn't very good at it even then. (I am reasonably fit though - I jog.) How does someone like me get (back) into team sport, and am I likely to enjoy it, or will I just find myself frustrated?

Reading Austen, seeing Frayn; its like watching the Saracens in full flow.

Cantdosleepy — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:09:15 -0800

Christmas gift ideas, please! For dad: sports or literature podcasts. For mum: tickets for a play in Leeds/London/Manchester in March/April. Suggestions for either very much appreciated! Hey team, looking for some gift ideas here. Dad's getting an ipod for Christmas so I'm looking for some podcasts he can subscribe to. He's a big fan of 'classic' literature (more Pepys & Austen than Ishiguro and Pynchon - if it's a Penguin Classic he'll read it), and intelligent rugby and cricket debate. I'd love suggestions of good podcasts discussing matches, teams, books, re-issues, anything with some good chat.

I've seen the two threads about intelligent podcasts and there are some excellent suggestions there. Got anything more book-y? Rugby-y?

For mum I'm after play tickets. We took her to see Much Ado at the National last year and it was ace - looking for something like that in any of the above cities (they've a child in each) so we can have a family gathering in Spring with food and then some cultural magic.

Thanks guys!

Things to see/eat/do in Hong Kong?

electroboy — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:21:39 -0800

Things to see/eat/do in Hong Kong? I'm tagging along with my wife while she attends a conference next month in Hong Kong. We've gotten a Lonely Planet guide and plan to watch the episode of No Reservations where Bourdain visits Hong Kong, but are looking for recommendations for things to do, places to eat and places to stay.

So here's some info about us:

1. Outdoorsy, active, city dwellers.
2. We'll be there for just about a week, around Oct 10-19.
3. Adventurous eaters. Not so much into night clubbing, but dining out and drinking are always good.
4. We're considering visiting Macau, but hadn't planned to visit mainland China unless it's for something spectacular as our time is limited.
5. I'd like to get some tailored shirts and possibly suits, so tailor recommendations would be especially helpful, especially those that ship to the US and who I could use on an ongoing basis.
6. Are there any rugby matches going on in mid-October? Local or international, sevens or union. Hell, I might even watch a league match.

Thanks for the help!

Michael Caine - Nobody's Fool

Naberius — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:53:12 -0800

Help me track down this Michael Caine quote about sexual tactics and high school theater. I'm convinced I recall seeing Michael Caine on some program talking about his early days, and he told a little story about how, when he was in whatever passes for High School in the UK, the other guys used to tease him about being queer because he was in the theater group while they all played manly sports out on the field.

And he tags it with a quote that goes vaguely like, "Well I was nobody's fool. They were a bunch of sweaty guys all tackling each other and taking showers together and slapping each other on the butt, and I was on the stage kissing girls."

Anybody else remember this, just so I know I'm not making it up? More to the point, can anyone point me to the correct quote in print or YouTube or whatever? I'd like to pass it along to someone who I think will find it useful.

Where to watch Six Nations rugby in Dublin?

bbuda — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:28:45 -0800

Where should an American go to watch a Six Nations rugby match in Dublin? I'm in Dublin for business and found out that Ireland and Italy are playing a Six Nations rugby match in town tomorrow. I don't know much about the sport, but it seems like it will be quite the event and I want in.

Would it be crazy to try and get (or scalp) tickets for the match at Croke Park? Or would I be better off finding a pub and a pint? Pub suggestions are welcome as well...

Where should I watch the Rugby World Cup Final in London?

complience — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:47:42 -0800

Where should I watch the Rugby World Cup Final in London? Where would be the best place for me to watch the Rugby world cup final in london, I can travel to anywhere in reasonable distance from west london?

Idealy im looking for big screens, cinemas, rugby clubs, awesome pubs,

btw im an england supporter .. (not that it really matters for rugby supporters)

Looking for examples of Namibian cuisine

une_heure_pleine — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 02:16:25 -0800

We're having a Rugby World Cup celebration/commiseration at work this week, and we each have to bring an edible contribution that relates to one of the competing countries. All good fun so far, except that I've been given Namibia. What to do? I confess that my knowledge of Namibian cuisine is somewhat limited, and my research so far has only told me that it's pretty much the same as South African (which someone else is doing). The best I can come up with is to go off on a tangent and bring cupcakes decorated with the colours of the Namibian flag. Any better ideas for something distinctively Namibian? It can be sweet or savoury, food or drink, as long as I can prepare it the night before and transport it to work on public transport.

Rucking and Scrumming off Season

chase — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 08:54:18 -0800

What can an extremely novice, woman rugby player do during the off season to improve her skills? This fall was my very first experience and instruction with rugby. [Women's Union; I played tight prop]. Previously, I had never watched nor played the game. I just jumped right in after attending a clinic a couple months ago. I've had tons of fun and a multitude of bruises. Over the last few weeks I've increased my physical endurance and learned a great deal about how to play the game. However, during the off season, I am wanting to know what can I do, as an individual, to improve my skills. Obviously, group training is best for a team sport. Obviously cardio improvement. Yet, my question is... What drills and physical training, can I do alone, that would be best for preparing me for the spring season? How would I go about creating an inexpensive ruck/tackle scenario in my basement or garage for snow covered days this winter? [This thread was extremely helpful, just looking for more advice.]

Go Black.

gaspode — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:59:46 -0800

Is there any bar in Baltimore that I can watch the New Zealand-Scotland Rugby world cup game this coming Sunday? For no cover charge?

Help me watch the RWC!

mikel — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:53:45 -0800

Has anyone used Setanta's broadband service before? I find myself in the unhappy position of being unable to watch most of the RWC 2007 because the NA cable carrier, Setanta, is not available through my cable provider. Rogers SportsNet is only carrying games in which Canada is playing, and although the local sports bar carrying the games is wonderful, I don't think I want to spend that much time in a bar.

The options, then, are limited to waiting 24 hours to watch games or buying the Setanta broadband service for US$149/year (it would be US$10/game to do it PPV).

So - has anyone used their service? Is it reliable and likely to be reasonable considering I have a good DSL connection at home?

How do I watch rugby when I don't even have a tv?

arnicae — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 09:04:36 -0800

Where can I catch the Rugby World Cup in or near Oakland? I'm a huge fan and made it to a number of games in AU during the last world cup. Anyone know where I can see the games? (I have neither a tv nor cable) Anyone in the Bay area want to organize a rugby party?

Rugby World Cup in Toronto

gwynp — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:57:21 -0800

Are there any bars in Toronto or Niagara Falls showing the Rugby World Cup, apart from Scallywags in Toronto ? Scallywags (St Clair/Yonge) is great, but apparently very difficult to get into on big rugby days, I'm wondering what the alternatives are, if any.

Tri nations without the subscription

devilsbrigade — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 11:56:57 -0800

Tri-nations on (net) radio? So, Tri-nations is going into its fourth week, and I've watched exactly one of the games. I've been looking around for a place to get a play-by-play/commentary (I'll be listening to it at work, so it can't have video), but nothing's come up. Any ideas?

A net station that broadcasts more than just tri nations would be great as well (the world cup in sept, and six nations next year at a minimum). I don't really need/want interviews or the like, which is all I found for rugby podcasts/radio.

I've also found susbcription services for streaming, but they're quite expensive, and have video, which I don't want (I'll watch them all eventually in HD).

Make me vomit!

Loto — Thu, 31 May 2007 18:54:18 -0800

I want you to help make me vomit! So, summer is upon us and that means two things: grilling and rugby sevens. I play rugby through out the year, but sevens is a bit of a different beast and as such I need to move a lot faster than I do now. I already do the lifting and cardio parts on my own, but I am looking to throw in high intensity interval training (HIIT) to develop greater speed and endurance.

I need help figuring out some good programs though, as most information I have found online can be summarized as "Run fast for a little bit, then jog for a little bit, repeat." I have some criteria though:

*I want to do this on my feet, no bikes or rowers or other such machines.
*It shouldn't use any equipment.
*It can be performed on a stretch of road or a field. I don't have track access.
*It has to be intense. At the end of most lifting or cardio workouts, I want to vomit. I want this to be the same, if not even more intense.

So, there you go. Be creative, I'm looking forward to some interesting workouts!

Help me find my new favorite shorts!

arnicae — Sun, 27 May 2007 16:05:40 -0800

Help me find comfortable durable cotton shorts to replace my USA Rugby shorts (whose manufacturer went out of business) These are the bestest shorts in the whole wide world. I've had them for 8 years, mending them numerous times and have slept in them, worn them around as well as actually using them for rugby. They're 100% cotton and made out of the kind of thick, durable cotton that stands up to being grabbed by girls who are interested in rubbing your face in the mud. They have an elasticized drawstring at the waist, and are roomy but short- great for running and hiking. They have a little patch on the left leg that reads "USA Rugby" in blue and red with a little star in the center of the "A".

Unfortunately, the manufacturers have gone out of business. I'd pay almost anything for an actual pair or three of these shorts (size 34/87 cm or thereaouts), but no amount of googling has uncovered any stores with them.

Any other suggestions? I "totaled" the shorts this morning and the fabric is way too thin from use to patch again, so I'm pretty sad.

Focus and sport

glip — Fri, 18 May 2007 08:32:48 -0800

Personal drive and sports. I need to learn to push myself more. So, I've started playing rugby again, and I'm a lot better shape than I was when I played before. I'm also generally more confident and able to handle the ball much better. The coaches are really impressed so far, but I am having trouble pushing myself to run faster and hit harder, and so on.

I know I can do better, but I just can't seem to make the connection from my brain to my legs to get the results I want.

I suppose I'm just looking to try and focus, or find the fire within, if you will. I'd appreciate any insight, not just rugby specific stuff. Thanks!

I know scrums don't always smell nice, but this was ridiculous.

synecdoche — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 15:15:21 -0800

I'm looking for a rather odd rugby-related photograph. A couple of years ago I saw a very striking photograph, from, I think, the 1940s. It was a black and white photograph of a rugby match, but the players were wearing gas masks. I was wondering if anybody knows anything about this photograph, where I could look at it (even just online), or, even better, if it would be possible to order a print of it from anywhere.

If it helps, I think I saw it in a book of photography (surprise!) that was at Costco. It was sort of a coffee table book type thing, that I foolishly did not purchase. Unfortunately, that is all I can remember.

I don't think we're in track anymore..

devilsbrigade — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:11:53 -0800

Help me get better at thinking on my feet in rugby. I'm starting rugby for the first time. It kicks ass, but I'm getting my ass kicked. Physically I'm fine, but as soon as anything starts happening my mind blanks out & I end up doing really stupid stuff (like passing where no one is even close to). When I think about it afterwards, it seems obvious how I fucked up, but I can't think when I'm moving.

I'm basically looking for anything that'll help me develop this sense outside practice. I know I'll pick it up there, but I'm definitely behind the curve when it comes to this kind of thing, and definitely want to catch up a bit. I'm coming from endurance sports, if it matters, & have good agility/explosive power/stamina.

Looking for a place to buy rugby gear

falameufilho — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 13:27:17 -0800

I am looking for a place to buy rugby gear in Texas (preferably Dallas) or Las Vegas. Can you help me?