Sports are very popular in Australia! But not ice hockey! I grew up playing ice hockey, but I had to look for a different sport here in Australia, since ice hockey is not so popular here. So, to have some fun and to make friends, I joined a rugby team! My team is made up of people from my university and some people from my city (Hobart). I haven't played rugby before, so I need lots of practice before I'll be ready for a game!
Rugby is similar to football. It’s a very physical sport where players throw and kick the ball to each other and try to get by the other team. A goal is called a “try” when you run the ball into the other team’s end zone and touch it to the ground. It’s a lot like a touch down in football! They also do lifts where they’ll pick up a player and hold them up in the air so they can catch the ball up high! To me, rugby looks like a combination of football, soccer and gymnastics.
People in Australia are very passionate about rugby. People like it because anyone can play. All you need to play rugby is a field to play on and a rugby ball. There is no fancy equipment needed for rugby. The game is easy to learn, and there are positions for people with all different kinds of skills. Big, strong people play defense and do the lifting.
