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The sport is believe to have began in 1823 when William Webb Ellis, a student at the Rugby School in England, disregarded
the rules to soccer and picked up the ball and ran with it. Soccer was played under many rules during the 19th century
and the "Rugby Rules" of running with the ball would have still been considered a form of the game of soccer. In 1863
an association aimed to develop one set of rules for soccer and disregarded the rules that made the "Rugby" game unique.
Several clubs that were playing by the "Rugby" rules did not join the association and decided not to follow their rules for
the game, making Rugby its own unique game.
Rules of Rugby
Rugby is played with 15 players on each side and is played over two 40 minutes halves. Players may run with the
ball kick it, or pass it, but may not pass the ball forward. Rugby is a contact sport and players are allowed to tackle
the man with the ball as long as they wrap their arms around them and do not leave their feet. There are three main
ways to score in rugby:
1) A Try: Five points are awarded for touching the ball down in their opponents end zone.
2) A Converstion: Two points are added for a successful kick through the goalposts after a try. (much like a PAT
in football)
3) A Goal Kick: Three points are awarded for a penalty kick or drop goal through the posts.
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