Rugby Crash Course

Rugby rules can be a bit of a mystery (sometimes to even the biggest fans). But you’ll be fine if you learn the basic rugby rules and lingo:

1. Each team consists of 15 players.
2. A game is played out in two 40-minute halves.
3. Players can carry or kick the ball, but must never pass or hit it forward by throwing.
4. Infractions usually result in a scrum which restarts the game. Each team’s eight Forwards bunch together, crouching shoulder-to-shoulder and attempting to hook the ball back to their team’s side.

Points are scored through …

1. Tries (worth five points): player touches the ball down into the other team’s ‘try zone’.
2. Conversions (worth two points): after a try, the scoring team has the opportunity to ‘convert’ the try and earn extra points by kicking the ball between the posts of the goal.
3. Penalties (worth three points): a penalty kick is awarded after a serious foul has been committed.
4. Drop goals (worth three points): player kicks the ball between the goal posts.

Whether you catch a live rugby match, party in one of the fan zones, or watch the Rugby World Cup 2011 on screen in one of New Zealand’s bars or pubs, make sure you’re dressed up in All Blacks fan gear from head to toe and you’ll be mistaken for a local!

Just follow three easy steps:

1. Go black! Wear an All Blacks jersey and scarf.
2. Pile on the make-up! Paint your face black and draw a Silver Fern, the All Blacks symbol, on your cheeks.
3. Flag up! Wave an All Blacks or New Zealand flag around or wrap up in an XXL flag.

What's the Haka?

A haka includes facial contortions, stamping feet, grunting, tongue-flicking and chanting. Traditionally, the All Blacks perform Te Rauparaha’s haka Ka Mate.

New Zealand's National Anthem

New Zealand’s national anthem God Defend New Zealand was first performed in Dunedin’s Queen’s Theatre on Christmas Day in 1876.