As suggested by the goal set for this coin, we took it to a sporting event this evening. MeganZA and I attended the Super 14 rugby match between the Lions (RSA) and the Waratahs (Australia). This week-end is the last round of the competition before the semi-finals. The Lions could have helped the other RSA teams by beating the Waratahs. It was a nailbiting match. Minutes after full time the Lions scored a try that was disallowed. The final score was 38-33 in favour of the Waratahs.
For those of you that don't know: Rugby is a game played between two teams of 15 players each (togeter with 7 reserves that can be used as replacements). The game is played over 80 minutes in two halves of 40 minutes each on a grass covered pitch measuring approximately 100 metres in length and 70 meters across. The object of the game is to score a try by putting the oval shaped ball down in the goal area of the other team. A try scores 5 points. Points can also be scored by kicks, namely a conversion kick - 2 points, penalty kick - 3 points and a drop kick (in open play) - 3 points.
Rugby is played in a number of Southern and Northern hemisphere countries. Every four years the national teams of these countries compete for the world cup. Currently held by South Africa (2007 World Cup winners).
Super 14 is a competition in the Southern Hemisphere between 14 provincial teams from South Africa (5), Australia (4) and New Zealand (5). These teams each play 13 games in the season. The top four teams then proceed to the semi-finals, the winners of which meet each other in the final.
If you want to know more about rugby - visit: www.irb.com