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Rugby ball in flight during a lineout with three jumpers, stylised war dance silhouettes and muddy posts
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SportsEasy

Rugby: The Oval Ball and Its Champions

A try has been worth 5 points since 1992, the All Blacks dance the Ka Mate haka before every match, and the Six Nations was only Five before Italy joined in 2000. Test your XV.

10

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1

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Tip: Use keys 1-4 to answer quickly

The 10 quiz questions

Question 1 : How many players make up a rugby union team on the field?

Possible answers:

  • 7 joueurs
  • 11 joueurs
  • 13 joueurs
  • 15 joueurs

Explanation: A rugby union team has 15 players on the field: 8 forwards and 7 backs. Rugby league has 13 and rugby sevens has 7.

Question 2 : How many points is a try worth in rugby?

Possible answers:

  • 5 points
  • 6 points
  • 7 points
  • 10 points

Explanation: Since 1992, a try is worth 5 points. The conversion that follows adds 2 points, for a potential total of 7 points per complete action.

Question 3 : Which country has won the most Rugby World Cups?

Possible answers:

  • Afrique du Sud
  • New Zealand
  • Australie
  • Angleterre

Explanation: New Zealand (the All Blacks) won 3 World Cups (1987, 2011, 2015), now tied with South Africa (1995, 2007, 2019, 2023 - 4 titles now).

Question 4 : What is the name of the traditional dance performed by the All Blacks before each match?

Possible answers:

  • Siva
  • Haka
  • Kapa
  • Poi

Explanation: The haka is a traditional Māori war dance performed by the All Blacks before each match. The most famous one is "Ka Mate".

Question 5 : How many national teams compete in the major annual European rugby tournament?

Possible answers:

  • 4 nations
  • 5 nations
  • 6 nations
  • 8 nations

Explanation: The Six Nations Championship brings together France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy. It was the Five Nations before Italy joined in 2000.

Question 6 : What is the shape of a rugby ball?

Possible answers:

  • Hexagonal
  • Rond
  • Ovale
  • Carré

Explanation: The rugby ball is oval (or ovoid), unlike the round football. This shape facilitates handling and passing.

Question 7 : What is the kick called when the ball is dropped to bounce on the ground before being kicked through the posts?

Possible answers:

  • A drop goal
  • A touchdown
  • A goal
  • A try

Explanation: A drop goal is performed by dropping the ball and kicking it on the half-volley to send it between the posts. It scores 3 points and can be attempted at any time during open play.

Question 8 : In which country was rugby invented according to legend?

Possible answers:

  • Angleterre
  • France
  • New Zealand
  • Irlande

Explanation: According to legend, rugby was born in 1823 at Rugby School (England) when William Webb Ellis allegedly picked up the ball during a football match.

Question 9 : What color is the French national rugby team's jersey?

Possible answers:

  • Blanc
  • Bleu
  • Rouge
  • Vert

Explanation: The French national rugby team wears a blue jersey, hence their nickname "Les Bleus" (The Blues). The rooster is the emblem on the jersey.

Question 10 : What is the phase of play called where the forwards from both teams bind together and push?

Possible answers:

  • Touch
  • The ruck
  • The maul
  • The scrum

Explanation: The scrum is a phase of play where 8 forwards from each team bind together and compete for possession of the ball fed in by the scrum-half.

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