Rugby is a tough sport that requires exceptional strength and body control. In addition, teamwork among the players is another key component. The NRL is a fully professional rugby competition in Australia and New Zealand. The season generally lasts till October and marks the most popular sporting competition in the country. The game’s history is characterised by immense financial struggles, losses, and growth; as a result, it’ll be special for Australian people forever.
This article will discuss this legendary sporting competition, including its history, the basic rules, and the point system. So, without further ado, let’s jump straight to it.
NRL Overview
The National Rugby League, or NRL, is the pre-eminent rugby league competition held in Australia and New Zealand. It began in the aftermath of the Super League War as a joint partnership between the Australian Rugby League and News Corporation. The partnership ended in 2012, with control being handed over to ARL.
Currently, there are sixteen clubs in the NRL, two of which participated in the inaugural season of rugby league in 1908. The games begin in March, with the clubs going head to head in a total of 25 rounds.
History
The rugby unions that operated in New South Wales and Queensland were in charge of regulating the sport. Thousands of spectators paid to watch their teams compete in the matches between colonial sides. However, the strong amateur ethos meant that these players were not paid for their lost time at work or injuries sustained during the game.
On August 8, 1907, members and supporters of the Sean Fagan union gathered at the Bateman’s Hotel to form their rugby league, which they named the New South Wales Rugby Football League. It was decided that everyone who participated in the game would receive payment for officially recognising the breakaway code, a professional New Zealand team, All Golds, led by entrepreneur Albert Henry Baskerville en route to play against Northern Union teams in England.
Basic of Rugby League
The game starts as the whistle blows, and one team kicks the ball and tries to gain possession. The team with possession of the ball then advances it up the pitch by kicking it or handing it from one player to another. The opposing teams try to block them from reaching the other side.
The basic rules of the game are:
- The ball should always be passed backward when being moved by hand.
- Players can pass the ball freely among them as often as they like until one of the opponents tackles the player in possession.
- Each team has possession of the ball for six tackles. After the sixth, they have to kick the ball down the field. Failure to do so results in the ball being handed over to the other team.
- The player who has been tackled must be released by the opponent so that he can play the ball.
Point System
The winning team gets two points, while the losing one gets none. Two five-minute halves are played if the score is tied after 80 minutes of play. If the team fails to score any points during this period, the match will be deemed a draw, with each team being awarded one point.
NRL Ladder
The NRL Ladder shows the standings of the 16 teams over the season. They are ranked from 1-16 and updated round-by-round after every match’s result. The team on top has the most wins of the season, while the bottom team has suffered the most losses. If two teams finish on equal competition points after 26 rounds, their fate is decided through a “for and against” method.
Final System
The NRL final system is very similar to the one used in the AFL – the team that finishes at the top with the most points has only won the premiership cup. For the final win, the top four teams on the scoreboard play against each other during the first week, and so do the second four. The winners of the first four directly proceed to the final round.
The teams that lose in the second four are eliminated, while the winning teams face the losers from the top four. The prestigious Provan-Summons Trophy is presented to the winning club at the end.
NRL Official Website
The official NRL website is a digital hub where fans can find anything about the competition, from NRL news and team rankings to the players’ stats. People can also watch live matches by simply logging on to the website. Don’t worry if you missed the game; as soon as it’s over, a recording of the entire event is made available instantly.
Every rugby fan must be familiar with the excitement of an upcoming match and the anxiety that follows from being unable to get a ticket. The NRL came up with a brilliant solution. Fans can easily purchase any of the match’s tickets because they are available online. Remember that these tickets sell out quickly, so don’t hesitate to purchase them immediately.
At its heart, the NRL is a community-based sport, played by thousands across the country and watched by even more. Hundreds of young boys and girls train every day of the year to fulfil their dream of competing in this major event. Its incredible history, fair rules, and finals system prove that this is the ultimate sports competition that knits Australia together.
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