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Rugby league facts for kids

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Rugby league
Lance hohaia running into the defence (rugby league).jpg
An attacking player attempts to evade two defenders
Highest governing body Rugby League International Federation
Nicknames League, RL, Rugby XIII (used throughout Europe) League, footy, football (used throughout the Oceania regions)
First played 7 September 1895, Yorkshire Northern England. (Post schism)
Characteristics
Contact Full contact
Team members Thirteen
Mixed-sex Single
Type Team sport, Outdoor
Equipment Rugby League ball
Venue Rugby league playing field

Rugby League is a ball sport. Two teams of thirteen players play against each other. The ball used is oval in shape. The field is a rectangle shape. It is 100 metres long and 70 metres wide. It is played for 80 minutes (40 minutes aside).

A try is scored when a player scores or touches the ball down in the in-goal area. A try is worth 4 points and if its converted (the goal kicker kicks the ball in between the top of the goal post), the team gets an extra 2 points. Another method of scoring points is through drop goals which are worth 1 point, or penalty goals which are worth 2 points.

Rugby league is played in over 30 countries in the world. The countries that play it the most are Australia, England, Ireland and New Zealand. The Rugby League World Cup has been played by Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Wales, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Scotland, United States, Italy, Cook Islands, Lebanon, Russia and South Africa. The current world champions are New Zealand, who won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Before this, Australia had won every World Cup since 1975.

Images for kids

  • The George Hotel, Huddersfield - geograph.org.uk - 676033

    George Hotel, Huddersfield, the birthplace of rugby league

  • Challenge cup 1897

    The first ever Challenge Cup Final, 1897: Batley (left) vs St Helens (right)

  • WIN Stadium trial match

    A typical game of rugby league being played.

  • Leeds Rhinos1

    Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity contesting the 2008 Boxing Day Festive Challenge friendly at Headingley

  • Ftwins

    Rugby league is noted for its hard physical play

  • Manu Vatuvei (26 October 2008)

    Australia vs New Zealand at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup

  • Thomas Bosc 2013 (1)

    France vs New Zealand in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup at Parc des Sports (Avignon).

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Rugby league para niños

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