By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Bradshaw]Anthony Bradshaw
The position in a rugby team tells the players where they should stand on the field, what their duties are for the team, and how they fit into the bigger team picture. The names that are given to the 15 different positions in a rugby team have changed over the years, and even differ from country to country, which can make this a confusing topic.
For example, in New Zealand and Australia the positions of the backs are named according to their distance from the scrum; halves, five-eights, centres, three-quarters, and full back. In other parts of the world (particularly the Northern Hemisphere) the half back is often called the scrum half, the first five eight is known as the fly half, and the centres are divided into inside and outside centre.
As for the forwards, the first two rows of the scrum are called the tight five and they do most of the hard work, winning the ball in close situations, such as scrums, rucks, and line outs. The third row in the scrum includes the two flankers which are on each side, and the number eight in between them. These three players are also referred to as the loose forwards, or the 'loosies'.
The two players on the outside of the front row are called the props, this because it is their job to prop up the hooker in between them who is trying to hook the ball back to his teammates when it is played into the scrum. These are normally very strong players, as they not only support the hooker but also lift other players at the line out to help them reach the ball. Traditionally the two props would be numbered 1 and 3 and would stand at these positions in the lineout to support the main jumpers. There are always at least two jumpers to try to confuse the opposition. Apart from trying to hook the ball in the scrum, the hooker is also the player who throws the ball in for the line outs.
The second row of the scrum has the two tallest players in the team. They are the locks, and it is their job to hold the scrum together and provide the main forward thrust to push the opposition off the ball. They are also the main jumpers in the lineout due to their height, although these days more and more other players are involved in the line outs.
To show your support for your favorite rugby team, you have to get [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/]rugby shirts for men. If you are going to be supporting your country in the world cup then you should have your country's shirt. I already have my [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/welsh-rugby-shirt/]Welsh rugby shirt -do you?
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Positions-in-Rugby&id=6513750] Positions in Rugby
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Rugby World Cup '11 - Simple Guide
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dan_T_Whitehouse]Dan T Whitehouse
One of the things I love the most is Rugby. The Rugby World Cup is coming up in less than a month away and I'm a little excited to say the least.
This year the Rugby World Cup is being held in New Zealand, which could make it a little bit of a white wash for the home team as they have been unstoppable this year and maintained themselves as the best team in the world for the last couple of years.
My team is England and coming of a win in 2003 and runners up in 2007, we've got a good chance of getting to the final again this year. Either way I'll be watching all of the matches of Sky+ as they are being played during the night.
A lot of people don't like Rugby, they think it is too complicated. I disagree, there are a few fundamental things that anyone can learn about the game to make it more enjoyable. There are a few of these things that I have picked up over the years, and here they are.
Offside
Offside is not the same as offside in football. Offside in rugby is all about being behind or parallel with the ball.
Example:
Team A are attacking and team B are defending.
If there has been some intense play in the middle of the field and players from either side as strewn all over that area of the pitch the ball suddenly gets picked up by team A and kicked all the way up field to a player who is by himself by his own posts. This player catches the ball. At this point he is stoof by himself with his back to his own posts and the majority of players in front of him. If he decides to kick the ball up field he is the only player that can then touch the ball from his team, before the opposition touches it. Why? Because all of the players are in front of him and the ball, becoming off side.
Off side is simply be in front of the ball when the ball is played. It is important for players who are part of the game and on the offensive to continue attacking from behind the ball.
If you imagine the ball creating a long line to each side of the pitch (width) wherever the ball may be, this would be the offside line. If the ball moves so does the offside line.
Scoring
Points be scored in three ways on the Rugby field. They are as follows:
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is worth three points as is simply a kick that successfully sends the bal through the posts at any point during the game. A kick is awarded when a foul occurs. The Penalty kick is worth three points and is not the same as a conversion.
Tip - Keeping possession.
Some of the time tactics come into play. When one of teams has conceded a penalty the other team gets the opportunity to kick the bal through the posts gaining them three valuable points. There is an alternative, which can gain the attacking team more points but is more of a gamble.
Instead if kicking the ball through the posts, the team can opt to kick the ball into 'touch' or across the outside line of the pitch putting the ball out of play.
The great thing about this for the attacking team is that the other team conceded a foul, giving them the penalty, which means when the ball is thrown back in, it is thrown in again by the attacking team because they gained no advantage by kicking the ball out. If the attacking team gets the chance to throw the ball in to their team mates and if they are lucky enough to be near the opposition's line, there is a good chance they will score a try, which is worth five points rather than a conversion which is worth three. They then get the chance to kick for a conversion which could be worth an additional two points, making a total of seven. Sounds better than a crummy three points right??
Try
A try is when the attacking team get the ball over the line which run next to the posts. This is the hardest thing to get in Rugby and is worth five points. A penalty try can be awarded, which is worth the same amount of points.
Conversion
A conversion is similar to a penalty but is a kick which is taken after a try is scored as is worth two points for the attacking team rather than three which is awarded for a penalty kick.
Tip - Getting under the posts.
It is really important for the attacking team to try and score the try as close to the posts as possible. After the try is scored there comes the penalty kick, in short, the further left or right from the posts the try is scored (into each corner) the further away the conversion kick is kicked from. So if the try is scored right in the corner of the pitch near the flag the poor kicker has a far more acute angle to kick the ball through and it's further away so it can be a lot harder.
Drop Goal
A drop goal is awarded three points and is a kick that successfully goes through the posts from open play. The ball must touch the ground first and be made at any point.
Kit number
Similarly to football each team member has an assigned number. Here are the top three most important kit numbers I think you need to know.
No.9 - Scrum Half
Have you ever noticed that it's the same guy who always picks up the ball and throws it after a tackle? This player is called the scrum half. Every time there is a big tackle, or a player on his own team goes to ground, that player on the floor has to release it to the scrum half who offloads the ball and passes it to another member of his team. He can also challenge for the ball after a ball comes out of a scrum called the pocket.
Tip - The 'pocket'
Have you ever seen the ball resting at the feet of a couple of players when they are locked in a scrum? This area of the ground is called the 'pocket'. It's a small area which is neither inside the scrum, nor out of it. It's like a protected area that the defending team can not reach and will be penalised if they do so. As the scrum moves forward (or backwards), if the ball is kept in this area then the ball is protected until it goes outside of the pocket and into open play again. It's more of a judgement call whether the ball is inside the pocket or not, and decisions can go either way.
N0.10 - Fly Half
Jonny Wilkinson. The best fly half the world has ever seen. Biased? No. Just look at the points table and the number of rugby world cups he has competed in before.
The job of the fly half is primarily the kicker. Each time a penalty is conceded by the opposition, this player will kick the ball through the posts. He can also perform a drop goal, which is a kick in open play with the ball bouncing on the floor first before going through the posts.
This player is an integral part to the team and more often than not the one who gets the most points for the team due to the amount of kicks they produce winning points for the team.
The End!
This concludes my little whirl wind tour of rugby and a few pointers and things to look out for, which will hopefully make the game more enjoyable for your to watch. I'll be cheering on England in the Rugby World Cup '11, I hope you gather a bit of national pride and support your team as well. We're less than a month away to the Rugby World cup '11 so keep your ear to the ground and most of all enjoy!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-11---Simple-Guide&id=6509268] Rugby World Cup '11 - Simple Guide
One of the things I love the most is Rugby. The Rugby World Cup is coming up in less than a month away and I'm a little excited to say the least.
This year the Rugby World Cup is being held in New Zealand, which could make it a little bit of a white wash for the home team as they have been unstoppable this year and maintained themselves as the best team in the world for the last couple of years.
My team is England and coming of a win in 2003 and runners up in 2007, we've got a good chance of getting to the final again this year. Either way I'll be watching all of the matches of Sky+ as they are being played during the night.
A lot of people don't like Rugby, they think it is too complicated. I disagree, there are a few fundamental things that anyone can learn about the game to make it more enjoyable. There are a few of these things that I have picked up over the years, and here they are.
Offside
Offside is not the same as offside in football. Offside in rugby is all about being behind or parallel with the ball.
Example:
Team A are attacking and team B are defending.
If there has been some intense play in the middle of the field and players from either side as strewn all over that area of the pitch the ball suddenly gets picked up by team A and kicked all the way up field to a player who is by himself by his own posts. This player catches the ball. At this point he is stoof by himself with his back to his own posts and the majority of players in front of him. If he decides to kick the ball up field he is the only player that can then touch the ball from his team, before the opposition touches it. Why? Because all of the players are in front of him and the ball, becoming off side.
Off side is simply be in front of the ball when the ball is played. It is important for players who are part of the game and on the offensive to continue attacking from behind the ball.
If you imagine the ball creating a long line to each side of the pitch (width) wherever the ball may be, this would be the offside line. If the ball moves so does the offside line.
Scoring
Points be scored in three ways on the Rugby field. They are as follows:
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick is worth three points as is simply a kick that successfully sends the bal through the posts at any point during the game. A kick is awarded when a foul occurs. The Penalty kick is worth three points and is not the same as a conversion.
Tip - Keeping possession.
Some of the time tactics come into play. When one of teams has conceded a penalty the other team gets the opportunity to kick the bal through the posts gaining them three valuable points. There is an alternative, which can gain the attacking team more points but is more of a gamble.
Instead if kicking the ball through the posts, the team can opt to kick the ball into 'touch' or across the outside line of the pitch putting the ball out of play.
The great thing about this for the attacking team is that the other team conceded a foul, giving them the penalty, which means when the ball is thrown back in, it is thrown in again by the attacking team because they gained no advantage by kicking the ball out. If the attacking team gets the chance to throw the ball in to their team mates and if they are lucky enough to be near the opposition's line, there is a good chance they will score a try, which is worth five points rather than a conversion which is worth three. They then get the chance to kick for a conversion which could be worth an additional two points, making a total of seven. Sounds better than a crummy three points right??
Try
A try is when the attacking team get the ball over the line which run next to the posts. This is the hardest thing to get in Rugby and is worth five points. A penalty try can be awarded, which is worth the same amount of points.
Conversion
A conversion is similar to a penalty but is a kick which is taken after a try is scored as is worth two points for the attacking team rather than three which is awarded for a penalty kick.
Tip - Getting under the posts.
It is really important for the attacking team to try and score the try as close to the posts as possible. After the try is scored there comes the penalty kick, in short, the further left or right from the posts the try is scored (into each corner) the further away the conversion kick is kicked from. So if the try is scored right in the corner of the pitch near the flag the poor kicker has a far more acute angle to kick the ball through and it's further away so it can be a lot harder.
Drop Goal
A drop goal is awarded three points and is a kick that successfully goes through the posts from open play. The ball must touch the ground first and be made at any point.
Kit number
Similarly to football each team member has an assigned number. Here are the top three most important kit numbers I think you need to know.
No.9 - Scrum Half
Have you ever noticed that it's the same guy who always picks up the ball and throws it after a tackle? This player is called the scrum half. Every time there is a big tackle, or a player on his own team goes to ground, that player on the floor has to release it to the scrum half who offloads the ball and passes it to another member of his team. He can also challenge for the ball after a ball comes out of a scrum called the pocket.
Tip - The 'pocket'
Have you ever seen the ball resting at the feet of a couple of players when they are locked in a scrum? This area of the ground is called the 'pocket'. It's a small area which is neither inside the scrum, nor out of it. It's like a protected area that the defending team can not reach and will be penalised if they do so. As the scrum moves forward (or backwards), if the ball is kept in this area then the ball is protected until it goes outside of the pocket and into open play again. It's more of a judgement call whether the ball is inside the pocket or not, and decisions can go either way.
N0.10 - Fly Half
Jonny Wilkinson. The best fly half the world has ever seen. Biased? No. Just look at the points table and the number of rugby world cups he has competed in before.
The job of the fly half is primarily the kicker. Each time a penalty is conceded by the opposition, this player will kick the ball through the posts. He can also perform a drop goal, which is a kick in open play with the ball bouncing on the floor first before going through the posts.
This player is an integral part to the team and more often than not the one who gets the most points for the team due to the amount of kicks they produce winning points for the team.
The End!
This concludes my little whirl wind tour of rugby and a few pointers and things to look out for, which will hopefully make the game more enjoyable for your to watch. I'll be cheering on England in the Rugby World Cup '11, I hope you gather a bit of national pride and support your team as well. We're less than a month away to the Rugby World cup '11 so keep your ear to the ground and most of all enjoy!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rugby-World-Cup-11---Simple-Guide&id=6509268] Rugby World Cup '11 - Simple Guide
Friday, December 9, 2011
A Guide to Purchasing Rugby Equipment
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lyanne_K_Watson]Lyanne K Watson
As any other sport played today, rugby too requires a number of specialized equipment to aid players to carry out a fair and successful encounter between two teams. A grisly and entirely physical game, players have to expect a few tugs and blows. But with many performances wear and equipment manufacturers offering a wide range of items to choose from players have the possibility to reduce injuries and enjoy a good game of rugby.
With the approval of the International Rugby Board (IRB) which is the governing body for the game of rugby, headgear which is used for protection is manufactured using a light synthetic substance which has the capability to alleviate serious impact. Another piece of equipment that a rugby player should own is gum shield which not only offers protection to a player's gums and teeth but also acts as an aid in reducing the damage which can grow around the jaw line. Gum shields are usually individually moulded to fit each player.
The rugby kit which usually consists of rugby shorts, rugby shirts and rugby boots are the main three components that is usually given priority to. Shorts which are mainly found in cotton have reinforced side seams and pockets with elastic waistbands and tie cords. Fusion shorts which do not include pockets are also available which are produced to match fusion shirts. Shirts which are more commonly known as rugby jerseys are generally knitted to perfection to resist the tugging and pulling that is always encountered in the field of rugby. They also require being comfortable yet strong and also light weight which in turn will not affect the players' speed. Shirts are mainly woven using a mix of polyester and cotton fabric and also acrylic fabric. The rugby boots consists of soles with studs which may be either plastic or metal without sharp edges. These in turn allows players to have a proper grip on the field. It is always a must to understand the size and shape of your feet as well as your style of running before purchasing your boots.
Another point to consider is upper body protection. Again comfort, strength and light weight are important factors to consider while a perfect fit also should not be forgotten. The areas that will be exposed to injury are the shoulders and the chest area.
Finally, a good quality rugby ball is always a must have. The hand stitched leather ball has come a long way with the latest technology making it water proof and easy to handle in slippery conditions. When purchasing all the rugby equipment mentioned above it is always a necessity to consider the quality of the product.
Lyanne Watson has more than 5 year's experiences in copywriting. Presently she is writing articles about [http://www.peveril.com]Rugby kit, [http://www.peveril.com]Rugby shirts and Rugby jerseys.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Guide-to-Purchasing-Rugby-Equipment&id=6516396] A Guide to Purchasing Rugby Equipment
As any other sport played today, rugby too requires a number of specialized equipment to aid players to carry out a fair and successful encounter between two teams. A grisly and entirely physical game, players have to expect a few tugs and blows. But with many performances wear and equipment manufacturers offering a wide range of items to choose from players have the possibility to reduce injuries and enjoy a good game of rugby.
With the approval of the International Rugby Board (IRB) which is the governing body for the game of rugby, headgear which is used for protection is manufactured using a light synthetic substance which has the capability to alleviate serious impact. Another piece of equipment that a rugby player should own is gum shield which not only offers protection to a player's gums and teeth but also acts as an aid in reducing the damage which can grow around the jaw line. Gum shields are usually individually moulded to fit each player.
The rugby kit which usually consists of rugby shorts, rugby shirts and rugby boots are the main three components that is usually given priority to. Shorts which are mainly found in cotton have reinforced side seams and pockets with elastic waistbands and tie cords. Fusion shorts which do not include pockets are also available which are produced to match fusion shirts. Shirts which are more commonly known as rugby jerseys are generally knitted to perfection to resist the tugging and pulling that is always encountered in the field of rugby. They also require being comfortable yet strong and also light weight which in turn will not affect the players' speed. Shirts are mainly woven using a mix of polyester and cotton fabric and also acrylic fabric. The rugby boots consists of soles with studs which may be either plastic or metal without sharp edges. These in turn allows players to have a proper grip on the field. It is always a must to understand the size and shape of your feet as well as your style of running before purchasing your boots.
Another point to consider is upper body protection. Again comfort, strength and light weight are important factors to consider while a perfect fit also should not be forgotten. The areas that will be exposed to injury are the shoulders and the chest area.
Finally, a good quality rugby ball is always a must have. The hand stitched leather ball has come a long way with the latest technology making it water proof and easy to handle in slippery conditions. When purchasing all the rugby equipment mentioned above it is always a necessity to consider the quality of the product.
Lyanne Watson has more than 5 year's experiences in copywriting. Presently she is writing articles about [http://www.peveril.com]Rugby kit, [http://www.peveril.com]Rugby shirts and Rugby jerseys.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Guide-to-Purchasing-Rugby-Equipment&id=6516396] A Guide to Purchasing Rugby Equipment
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Important Rugby Skills
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Bradshaw]Anthony Bradshaw
There are many different skills that player needs to be able to play rugby, they are running, passing, catching and tackling. However, every team should have at least two people who have the special skill of kicking the ball.
A rugby ball is oval and so it will bounce in a much different way than a round soccer ball. For this reason a good kicker has to know exactly where to place the ball so that the bounce will go in his favour. There are three different types of kicks that you will see in a rugby game, and I will go over each of them now.
The punt is a kick that is used in general play. To carry out this kick the player holds the ball in front of themselves about a legs distance from their body to maximise the swing of the kicking leg. The non-kicking foot is planted firmly on the ground, and the kicking leg is swung in a way that it will make contact with the ball on the instep of the foot. This is the top part of the foot between the toes and the ankle. Keep your eye on the ball as you are kicking it and try to ignore the 15 other players that will be trying to tackle you at the same time.
The drop kick is a specialised type of kick that is used to restart play and to kick at goal during normal play. A restart is taken at the 22 metre line for a dropout, or the halfway line when a try or penalty has been scored. To make a drop kick, the ball is held vertically in the kickers hands about waist high. The ball is dropped to the ground and the kicker makes contact with his instep again a split second after the ball has bounced. Ideally the ball will be leaning slightly backwards, and the kicker will also lean back to get more height in the kick.
The place kick is used when a penalty has been awarded or when a conversion is to be attempted after a try has been scored. Most players these days use a kicking tee or small amount of sand to hold the ball in a set position while they make their run up. Although every kicker has their own kicking style, almost all will begin by walking backwards from the ball a set distance and then move out to one side or the other. The kicker will then pause to clear his head and relax.
No matter what type of kick is employed the key to a good kick is accuracy. The ball must land exactly where the kicker wants it to, and either score points or put the team into a better attacking position than they were previously. A good kick is a fantastic attacking weapon, and on the flip side a bad kick can be disastrous.
Kicking should always be done for a reason. Generally, a team will kick more often when they are in their own half as a defensive measure to get out of trouble, and continue play in the other teams half. This type of kick is called a defensive kick, or sometimes a territorial kick, which means that the kicking team is trying to get into the oppositions territory.
Kicking in rugby is a difficult skill to master due to the shape of the ball. However, with consistent practise it is possible to read how a ball will bounce depending on how you kick it. You can make the ball bounce end over end in a straight line which will cause it to 'pop' up slightly higher on about the third bounce, which makes it easy for chasing players to pick up as they run at it. It is also possible to make the ball spin off to the side so it will bounce out of play near the oppositions try line.
The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, and so it is time to get [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/]Rugby Shirts for men before its too late. However, there will always be good international games to watch, so if you are from Ireland you can get great deals on an [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/irish-rugby-shirt/]Irish Rugby shirt right now.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Important-Rugby-Skills&id=6526195] Important Rugby Skills
There are many different skills that player needs to be able to play rugby, they are running, passing, catching and tackling. However, every team should have at least two people who have the special skill of kicking the ball.
A rugby ball is oval and so it will bounce in a much different way than a round soccer ball. For this reason a good kicker has to know exactly where to place the ball so that the bounce will go in his favour. There are three different types of kicks that you will see in a rugby game, and I will go over each of them now.
The punt is a kick that is used in general play. To carry out this kick the player holds the ball in front of themselves about a legs distance from their body to maximise the swing of the kicking leg. The non-kicking foot is planted firmly on the ground, and the kicking leg is swung in a way that it will make contact with the ball on the instep of the foot. This is the top part of the foot between the toes and the ankle. Keep your eye on the ball as you are kicking it and try to ignore the 15 other players that will be trying to tackle you at the same time.
The drop kick is a specialised type of kick that is used to restart play and to kick at goal during normal play. A restart is taken at the 22 metre line for a dropout, or the halfway line when a try or penalty has been scored. To make a drop kick, the ball is held vertically in the kickers hands about waist high. The ball is dropped to the ground and the kicker makes contact with his instep again a split second after the ball has bounced. Ideally the ball will be leaning slightly backwards, and the kicker will also lean back to get more height in the kick.
The place kick is used when a penalty has been awarded or when a conversion is to be attempted after a try has been scored. Most players these days use a kicking tee or small amount of sand to hold the ball in a set position while they make their run up. Although every kicker has their own kicking style, almost all will begin by walking backwards from the ball a set distance and then move out to one side or the other. The kicker will then pause to clear his head and relax.
No matter what type of kick is employed the key to a good kick is accuracy. The ball must land exactly where the kicker wants it to, and either score points or put the team into a better attacking position than they were previously. A good kick is a fantastic attacking weapon, and on the flip side a bad kick can be disastrous.
Kicking should always be done for a reason. Generally, a team will kick more often when they are in their own half as a defensive measure to get out of trouble, and continue play in the other teams half. This type of kick is called a defensive kick, or sometimes a territorial kick, which means that the kicking team is trying to get into the oppositions territory.
Kicking in rugby is a difficult skill to master due to the shape of the ball. However, with consistent practise it is possible to read how a ball will bounce depending on how you kick it. You can make the ball bounce end over end in a straight line which will cause it to 'pop' up slightly higher on about the third bounce, which makes it easy for chasing players to pick up as they run at it. It is also possible to make the ball spin off to the side so it will bounce out of play near the oppositions try line.
The Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, and so it is time to get [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/]Rugby Shirts for men before its too late. However, there will always be good international games to watch, so if you are from Ireland you can get great deals on an [http://www.rugbyshirtsformen.com/irish-rugby-shirt/]Irish Rugby shirt right now.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Important-Rugby-Skills&id=6526195] Important Rugby Skills
Monday, December 5, 2011
Matt Orford - Short But Powerful, The Ox
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sam_Chalmers]Sam Chalmers
Matthew Orford, or popularly known as Matt Orford or "Ox", was born on April 22, 1978 in Gosford, Australia. Matt the "Ox" is presently one of the most famous National Rugby League players. This five foot nine player is currently signed with the Canberra Raiders as the halfback.
Rugby League is really Matt's thing. Even before he finished high school, he was already playing rugby league. He gained his skills when he was still with the North Sydney Bears back in junior high. He showed great enthusiasm for the sport that was why after high school, the Northern Eagles immediately signed him to play for them.
He switched to different teams when his career was still starting. He was signed to play for the Melbourne Storm, and after that, he was again signed to another team, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
In the 2006 season, he became captain of the Sea Eagles. Signing for the team became a big opportunity for Orford. He being the captain was unfortunate for the team though, because in the 2007 season they had a tragic loss against his previous team, the Melbourne Storm.
In the 2008 National Rugby League grand finale though, he had an excellent comeback. Being the team captain once again, he then leaded their victory to the Melbourne Storm. During this season, he showed real perseverance and determination. Everyone noticed his improvement game after game.
In that same year, Matt Orford won the Dally M Medal Award. The 2008 season was a lucky season for Ox, as he was also voted as the best player of the season and he gained a premiership award. His extreme determination really paid off. Having gained the premiership award and the Dally M Medal in one same year, he was put to the National Rugby League hall of fame, because only he and Peter Sterling got those two awards in a year. 2008 was a fruitful and lucky season for Matt Orford.
He continued to being the best player when he was considered one of the most promising players in the Manly's World Club Challenge in 2009. Their team won in the challenge against the Rhinos.
In 2010, because of his excellent skills and prominent playing abilities, he was exclusively signed for the Bradford Bulls for a three-year contract. His career was continuing to rise up and he was becoming more and more popular in the world of Rugby League. Unfortunately, his prime season did not go as planned. He was forced to end the contract because he suffered a shoulder injury that required a major surgery. After the incident, he was released by the Bulls for him to return to his home country, Australia.
In January 2011, Matt Orford was officially released by the Bradford Bulls. His career never ended there, because after his official contract release, he immediately signed on the same day with the Canberra Raiders.
For more information on Matt Orford you should check out his profile on Footysocial at http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/mattorford
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Matt-Orford---Short-But-Powerful,-The-Ox&id=6563454] Matt Orford - Short But Powerful, The Ox
Matthew Orford, or popularly known as Matt Orford or "Ox", was born on April 22, 1978 in Gosford, Australia. Matt the "Ox" is presently one of the most famous National Rugby League players. This five foot nine player is currently signed with the Canberra Raiders as the halfback.
Rugby League is really Matt's thing. Even before he finished high school, he was already playing rugby league. He gained his skills when he was still with the North Sydney Bears back in junior high. He showed great enthusiasm for the sport that was why after high school, the Northern Eagles immediately signed him to play for them.
He switched to different teams when his career was still starting. He was signed to play for the Melbourne Storm, and after that, he was again signed to another team, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
In the 2006 season, he became captain of the Sea Eagles. Signing for the team became a big opportunity for Orford. He being the captain was unfortunate for the team though, because in the 2007 season they had a tragic loss against his previous team, the Melbourne Storm.
In the 2008 National Rugby League grand finale though, he had an excellent comeback. Being the team captain once again, he then leaded their victory to the Melbourne Storm. During this season, he showed real perseverance and determination. Everyone noticed his improvement game after game.
In that same year, Matt Orford won the Dally M Medal Award. The 2008 season was a lucky season for Ox, as he was also voted as the best player of the season and he gained a premiership award. His extreme determination really paid off. Having gained the premiership award and the Dally M Medal in one same year, he was put to the National Rugby League hall of fame, because only he and Peter Sterling got those two awards in a year. 2008 was a fruitful and lucky season for Matt Orford.
He continued to being the best player when he was considered one of the most promising players in the Manly's World Club Challenge in 2009. Their team won in the challenge against the Rhinos.
In 2010, because of his excellent skills and prominent playing abilities, he was exclusively signed for the Bradford Bulls for a three-year contract. His career was continuing to rise up and he was becoming more and more popular in the world of Rugby League. Unfortunately, his prime season did not go as planned. He was forced to end the contract because he suffered a shoulder injury that required a major surgery. After the incident, he was released by the Bulls for him to return to his home country, Australia.
In January 2011, Matt Orford was officially released by the Bradford Bulls. His career never ended there, because after his official contract release, he immediately signed on the same day with the Canberra Raiders.
For more information on Matt Orford you should check out his profile on Footysocial at http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/mattorford
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Matt-Orford---Short-But-Powerful,-The-Ox&id=6563454] Matt Orford - Short But Powerful, The Ox
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Josh Dugan - Rugby's Rookie of the Year
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sam_Chalmers]Sam Chalmers
Josh Dugan is one of the most popular young Australian professional rugby league football players. He was born and raised in Canberra, on May 10, 1990. He now plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. He is a Country New South Wales representative as well as a National Rugby League All Stars backline player. He has played with the Canberra Raiders from the start of his career until today.
Josh Dugan achieved his position in the National Rugby League Premiership during the 2009 season. His first game was in the 2009 season where he finished first in the National Rugby League having an average running meters per game (191.5) and 7th in total running meters (3,064). He as well came first in the National Rugby League in average kick return meters per game (82.5) and had finished 3rd overall (1321). The first was Billy Slater and the second was Jarryd Hayne. He achieved third overall with the fact that he started the season in the Toyota Cup and played only sixteen games. He as well finished eighth in tackle breaks (110) and was short-listed for the Dally M "Rookie of the Year" Award which he lost in favor of Jamal Idris. He had a very impressive debut season. He was also known as Canberra Raider's Rookie of the Year and won the Mal Meninga Medal for the Raiders player of the year for 2009 together with Josh Miller. Josh Dugan achieved his maiden representative selection playing fullback for Country Origin in the 2010 City versus Country clash. Josh Dugan was the star of the game; he scored a try and being named Man of the Match. He already became a successful Rugby player at a very young age.
On June 7, 2010, Josh Dugan was named in the 21 man squad for New South Wales Blues team for the third game of the State of Origin series. Unfortunately, he was not selected to play in the actual match.
On July 13, 2010, he re-signed with the Canberra Raiders for another two seasons, which gave the issue that he was signing with the Sydney Roosters an end.
On February 12, 2011, Josh Dugan was chosen to play fullback for the National Rugby League All Stars in the yearly All Stars Match. He was voted as the Preston Campbell Medal for player of the match.
On May 15, 2011, Josh Dugan was chosen to play for the New South Wale Blues in game one of the 2011 State of Origin series.
Today, he continues to show the world what he is capable of.
For more information on Josh Dugan you should check out his profile on Footysocial at http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/joshdugan
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Josh-Dugan---Rugbys-Rookie-of-the-Year&id=6563419] Josh Dugan - Rugby's Rookie of the Year
Josh Dugan is one of the most popular young Australian professional rugby league football players. He was born and raised in Canberra, on May 10, 1990. He now plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. He is a Country New South Wales representative as well as a National Rugby League All Stars backline player. He has played with the Canberra Raiders from the start of his career until today.
Josh Dugan achieved his position in the National Rugby League Premiership during the 2009 season. His first game was in the 2009 season where he finished first in the National Rugby League having an average running meters per game (191.5) and 7th in total running meters (3,064). He as well came first in the National Rugby League in average kick return meters per game (82.5) and had finished 3rd overall (1321). The first was Billy Slater and the second was Jarryd Hayne. He achieved third overall with the fact that he started the season in the Toyota Cup and played only sixteen games. He as well finished eighth in tackle breaks (110) and was short-listed for the Dally M "Rookie of the Year" Award which he lost in favor of Jamal Idris. He had a very impressive debut season. He was also known as Canberra Raider's Rookie of the Year and won the Mal Meninga Medal for the Raiders player of the year for 2009 together with Josh Miller. Josh Dugan achieved his maiden representative selection playing fullback for Country Origin in the 2010 City versus Country clash. Josh Dugan was the star of the game; he scored a try and being named Man of the Match. He already became a successful Rugby player at a very young age.
On June 7, 2010, Josh Dugan was named in the 21 man squad for New South Wales Blues team for the third game of the State of Origin series. Unfortunately, he was not selected to play in the actual match.
On July 13, 2010, he re-signed with the Canberra Raiders for another two seasons, which gave the issue that he was signing with the Sydney Roosters an end.
On February 12, 2011, Josh Dugan was chosen to play fullback for the National Rugby League All Stars in the yearly All Stars Match. He was voted as the Preston Campbell Medal for player of the match.
On May 15, 2011, Josh Dugan was chosen to play for the New South Wale Blues in game one of the 2011 State of Origin series.
Today, he continues to show the world what he is capable of.
For more information on Josh Dugan you should check out his profile on Footysocial at http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/joshdugan
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Josh-Dugan---Rugbys-Rookie-of-the-Year&id=6563419] Josh Dugan - Rugby's Rookie of the Year
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Brett Stewart - The Comeback Kid
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sam_Chalmers]Sam Chalmers
Brett Stewart is the league's comeback kid of the 2011 season. After back-to-back season-terminating knee problems and a year mired by a sexual assault trial and subsequent acquittal, the controversial fullback's stint in the league was suspended in the first round of last season and waited in the wings until the club put him back in circulation and let him compete against the Warriors.
The Australia international and the New South Wales Manly-Warringah club call Stewart one of their own and made the Sea Eagles proud by winning the premiership in 2008. Although he was forced to take a break for the rest of the 2009 season due to drunken behaviour, league pundits still considered the troubled athlete promising when it comes to propelling try-scoring records. The sexual assault scandal in 2009 put his career on hold but he was handed a not guilty verdict in September 2010.
Sydney's Downing Centre District Court dispensed their verdict on an incident that transpired after the Manly Sea Eagle's season launch in 2009 involving a 17-year-old and the Manly fullback. Court documents revealed charges involving the 25-year-old who allegedly digitally penetrated the 17-year-old without the girl's consent and the incident was said to have taken place at North Manly on the northern beaches of Sydney on the evening of March 6, 2009. Presiding Judge Jonathan Williams heard the case which lasted a couple of weeks and handed the not guilty verdict, clearing Stewart of other charges such as assault with an act of indecency (the fullback having allegedly forced his tongue into the victim's mouth).
After a rollercoaster year, supporters and level-headed league commentators believed that the redemption of Stewart was far from complete unless he fully regained his bearings in the game and his role in the club. This challenge to Steward turned didn't turn out as an insurmountable feat, given the resilient player's record of delivering at championship events and neck-and-neck competitions in spite of football injuries that have complemented the player's journey towards rugby league excellence. Although Des Hasler, the Sea Eagle's top-notch coach, was at first emphatic in saying that Stewart would need to satisfy more tests to prove to the coaching staff that he was ready to go back into action and take on the Warriors, Stewart impressed the Manly staff by passing with flying colours and the fans with a stellar comeback.
With medical and fitness tests-and a scandalous incident-behind him, Stewart's return has proven to be a big boost to the Sea Eagles who was found missing of an outstanding fullback when Stewart busted his knee during the previous season. With his confidence and energy he garnered 100th First Grade Try in the 9th round in a face-off against the Raiders by scoring a hat-trick that moved his career trying score from 98 to 101.
For more information on [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]Brett Stewart you should check out his profile on Footysocial at [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Brett-Stewart---The-Comeback-Kid&id=6563205] Brett Stewart - The Comeback Kid
Brett Stewart is the league's comeback kid of the 2011 season. After back-to-back season-terminating knee problems and a year mired by a sexual assault trial and subsequent acquittal, the controversial fullback's stint in the league was suspended in the first round of last season and waited in the wings until the club put him back in circulation and let him compete against the Warriors.
The Australia international and the New South Wales Manly-Warringah club call Stewart one of their own and made the Sea Eagles proud by winning the premiership in 2008. Although he was forced to take a break for the rest of the 2009 season due to drunken behaviour, league pundits still considered the troubled athlete promising when it comes to propelling try-scoring records. The sexual assault scandal in 2009 put his career on hold but he was handed a not guilty verdict in September 2010.
Sydney's Downing Centre District Court dispensed their verdict on an incident that transpired after the Manly Sea Eagle's season launch in 2009 involving a 17-year-old and the Manly fullback. Court documents revealed charges involving the 25-year-old who allegedly digitally penetrated the 17-year-old without the girl's consent and the incident was said to have taken place at North Manly on the northern beaches of Sydney on the evening of March 6, 2009. Presiding Judge Jonathan Williams heard the case which lasted a couple of weeks and handed the not guilty verdict, clearing Stewart of other charges such as assault with an act of indecency (the fullback having allegedly forced his tongue into the victim's mouth).
After a rollercoaster year, supporters and level-headed league commentators believed that the redemption of Stewart was far from complete unless he fully regained his bearings in the game and his role in the club. This challenge to Steward turned didn't turn out as an insurmountable feat, given the resilient player's record of delivering at championship events and neck-and-neck competitions in spite of football injuries that have complemented the player's journey towards rugby league excellence. Although Des Hasler, the Sea Eagle's top-notch coach, was at first emphatic in saying that Stewart would need to satisfy more tests to prove to the coaching staff that he was ready to go back into action and take on the Warriors, Stewart impressed the Manly staff by passing with flying colours and the fans with a stellar comeback.
With medical and fitness tests-and a scandalous incident-behind him, Stewart's return has proven to be a big boost to the Sea Eagles who was found missing of an outstanding fullback when Stewart busted his knee during the previous season. With his confidence and energy he garnered 100th First Grade Try in the 9th round in a face-off against the Raiders by scoring a hat-trick that moved his career trying score from 98 to 101.
For more information on [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]Brett Stewart you should check out his profile on Footysocial at [http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart]http://www.footysocial.com.au/players/brettstewart.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Brett-Stewart---The-Comeback-Kid&id=6563205] Brett Stewart - The Comeback Kid
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