How Much Do New Zealand Rugby Players Earn?

This article looks at the salaries of professional rugby players in the New Zealand and how much they get when playing for the All Blacks. It’s important to understand that individual salaries are private contracts and the details are seldom made public. However, details are sometimes leaked when New Zealand Rugby is in negotiation with … Read more

Playing Rugby at Altitude (Explained)

Now that the top South African rugby clubs have joined a European league, more teams are traveling to play rugby at altitude. Most European teams are at sea level, while some of the South African clubs are at much higher altitudes. It’s been known for a long time that sport at altitude is more difficult … Read more

When Do Rugby Referees Retire? (Explained With Examples)

If you watch international or professional matches, you’ve probably noticed that rugby referees tend to be older than the players. Is there a mandatory age at which rugby referees must retire? Let’s take a look at the professional and international levels. When Do Rugby Referees Retire? There is no mandatory retirement age for referees in … Read more

Barbarians Rugby Team (Complete Guide)

The Barbarians are an invitational rugby team selected from talented players throughout the world. The Barbarians were founded in 1890 as a touring club without a home ground. They play a handful of matches each year against top clubs and countries. The club is famous for flair and attacking rugby. How Did The Barbarians Rugby … Read more

What Are Caps In Rugby? (Explained)

When you hear that a rugby player is getting his first cap, it means that it’s the first time he has been selected for the team. A player is “capped” with every appearance. So a player who has twenty caps has played twenty times for the same team. Commentators usually refer to caps at international … Read more

Can I Start Playing Rugby In My 30s or 40s?

Rugby is a sport that can be played well into middle age at amateur club level. It is common to see club teams with players in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond! However, it’s true that many older rugby players started playing in their school days. But what if you want to take up rugby … Read more

What Is A Ruck In Rugby? (Explained)

A ruck in rugby occurs when the ball is on the ground and opposing players compete for it. Because players have to stay on their feet, this can become a monumental struggle as players try to push their opponents backward and win possession. It may seem like a free-for-all at times, but there are plenty … Read more

What Do Rugby Players Sniff Before A Game? (Explained)

It’s not uncommon in other sports to see players sniffing or inhaling something before a match, or even during breaks in play. This wasn’t something that happened in rugby, but it’s now being seen more and more. So, what are the rugby players sniffing and why? It’s generally one of two things: smelling salts or … Read more

Can You Pull Hair In Rugby? (Explained With Examples)

You’ll occasionally see rugby players making a tackle by pulling their opponent’s hair. Tackling by the hair is illegal in rugby, although there’s no specific law in the rule books that mention hair-pulling. This article looks at how referees deal with incidences, and we’ll show you some high-profile examples (and the mass brawls that ensued). … Read more