Australians are really into their sports! Popular sports here include Aussie rules football, cricket, and rugby. While I have seen these sports played on TV, I have never been to a game. I also don’t understand the rules either! Since we are living down under, I have wanted to go and see at least one of these sports, and luckily my friend Richard was nice enough to take me to a rugby union game.
There are two different leagues of rugby in Australia, rugby league and rugby union. The rules vary slightly between the two, but don’t ask me what the difference is between them. Richard was nice enough to explain the rules of rugby union, his favorite sport. I think I have the basics, but it’s a bit confusing. Basically, you can’t throw the ball forward, you are allowed to kick it, and everyone ends up in big piles! It’s a tough sport and these guys are industrial-strength athletes! I can’t believe how much punishment they take and keep going back for more – all without protective equipment! The game we saw was the Melbourne Rebels vs. the Queensland Reds. Richard supported the Reds, since he is originally from Queensland, so we both rooted against the home crowd. It was lots of fun, and the Reds solidly defeated the Rebels 32-17.
Hopefully before Chiz and I leave Australia we might have the chance to see an Aussie rules game… I’m not sure I could sit through 5 days of a cricket match!
