NEXT WEEK:NEXT WEEK: ROLLIN’ RUGBY Part 6

WHEN boot and shoemaker, William Gilbertstarted making balls for the rugby school over150 years ago, little did he realise that hisname would become synonymous with RugbyUnion. Gilbert is one of the most popularmakers of rugby balls and has been used byalmost every rugby nation at all levels of thegame. At this year’s Rugby World Cup thematch, training and replica balls will be sup-plied by Gilbert. The official ball has the dis-tinctive Rugby World Cup brand, with coloursof blue and green and a distinctive New Zea-land design. Its superior shape retention andspin rate should help deliver some top classrugby throughout the tournament.The first Gilbert rugby balls were handstitched, four-panel leather casings with pig’sbladders inside that had to be inflated bymouth. In fact, it is the shape of the pig’sbladder that is reputed to have given therugby ball its distinctive oval shape. In thosedays balls varied in size and shape dependingon how large the pig’s bladder was. In con-trast, with the advent of new synthetic mate-rials, the balls today are fairly standard andfor official matches must meet IRB’s reg-ulations. For matches involving young playerslike in youth rugby, the use of smaller balls isallowed. The IRB’s laws of the game also statethat during a rugby match spare balls can be

used if needed, but a team cannottry to gain an unfair advantage byusing or changing the spares.

A NAME firmly established in the history ofrugby union is William Webb Ellis – the mancredited with creating the game. On the face ofthe trophy, presented to the winners of theRugby World Cup competition, is his name,written on the glimmering gold exterior of the38cm gilt silver cup. The words The WeBb EllisCup are engraved along with The InternationalRugby Football Board on the trophy, that bearstwo scroll handles with the head of a satyr on

one and a nymph on the other. Thereare two official Webb Ellis Cups,which are used interchangeably.Australia has won the Cup twice(1991and 1999) as have South Africa (1995and 2007). New Zealand (1987) andEngland (2003) have won once.

BEFORE kick off in tonight’s openingmatch of the 2011 Rugby World Cupbetween New Zealand and Tonga,rugby audiences worldwide will betreated to a showcase of entertain-ment. The opening ceremony of theIRB’s Rugby World Cup will representMaori and Pacific Island culture alongwith the best of what New Zealand hasto offer. It will include aspects of all 20nations taking part in the competition,

and reflect the sport of Rugby and theRugby World Cup brand. A large andelaborate 12-minute spectacular fire-work display will take place on theAuckland water front, offbarges in the harbour aswell as the Sky Tower andother Auckland skyscrap-ers, starting the six-weekcompetition off with abang.

AT THISyear’s Rugby World Cup – the third lar-gest sporting event in the world and the biggestheld in New Zealand – the rugby anthem Worldin Union will again ring out. The song, first usedin England in 1991, has been sung at the openingceremony of every tournament since.The theme reflects the rugby unionculture. Hayley Westenra, a NewZealand soprano, will perform thesong this year.

There’s a dream, IfeelSo rare, so realAll the world in unionThe world as one

Gathering togetherOne mind, one heartEvery creed, everycolourOnce joined, neverapart

Searching for thebest in meI will find what I canbe If I win, lose ordrawIt’s a victory for all

It’s the world in unionThe world as oneAs we climb to reachour destinyA new age has begun

We may face highmountainsMust cross roughseasWe must take ourplace in historyAnd live with dignity

Just to be the best IcanThat’s the goal forevery manIf I win, lose or drawIt’s a victory for all

It’s the world inunionThe world as oneAs weclimb toreach ourdestinyA newage hasbegun

TACKLINGA TACKLE consists of grabbing an opposingplayer and bringing them to ground. A tackledplayer must release the ball makingthe ball available so play can continue.When a player tackles an opponentand they both go to ground, the tack-ler must release the tackled playerand get up or move away.

WINNERS: SouthAfrica’s captain JohnSmit holds thewinner’s trophy afterthe Rugby World Cupfinal betweenEngland and SouthAfrica in 2007 at theStade de Francenorth of Paris.

WINNERS: SouthAfrica’s captain JohnSmit holds thewinner’s trophy afterthe Rugby World Cupfinal betweenEngland and SouthAfrica in 2007 at theStade de Francenorth of Paris.

PHOTO: AAP

User: Paul.Stuart Time: 09-08-2011 12:34 Product: SCN PubDate: .Bank Zone: All Edition: Main Page: nie rugby 5 Color: CMYK