Embarrassing Rugby Score
Rugby is a full-contact sport that originated at the Rugby School in Rugby, England. It is a very important sport in both New Zealand and Australia and has become a part of both countries’ cultural identity. In Australia, there are both Rugby Union teams (15 players) and Sevens teams (7 players per team). Women’s Rugby is just as popular as Men’s and all ages are encouraged to play. 5 teams from Australia compete in Super Rugby, which is a tournament played by teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The Parramatta Eels react to their crushing loss against the Sydney Roosters
The National Rugby League in Australia is a professional league that consists of sixteen teams, fifteen from eastern Australia and one from New Zealand. A recent game played in the NRL resulted in one of the most embarrassing scores in the league in 66 years. The Sydney Roosters scored nine tries against the Parramatta Eels that resulted in a score of 50-0. News.com.au says the major score difference was due to a mixture of excellence from the Roosters and lack of it from the Eels.
Sports are an important part of any culture. It serves as a way for people to bond over their shared teams and it also instills a sense of national pride. In international competitions, the best and worst of each country is portrayed by their fans and players. Sports offer up friendly competition between nations, regions, and cities, but it also allows friendships to form because they all have the one sport in common.
Are sports an important part of American culture? Does it shape us as a society? Would a devastating loss like this effect an American fanbase? Do you think sports are an important part of culture?
–Katie Mixer
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3 responses to “Embarrassing Rugby Score”
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Perhaps the importance of sport is best demonstrated by how it was received during the depression in Australia. Sporting attendances at football codes increased and immortal icons in the form of Roy Cazaly, Phar Lap and Don Bradman were created. Meanwhile in Germany, people low on self esteem were chanting in praise of Adolph Hitler.
I think that sports are an integral part of our nations identity. Throughout history there have been moments in sports that have exemplified the human condition and have sent shock waves around the world. South African rugby is the first thing that comes to mind as it brought together a country that was at odds with each other about racial issues. In the U.S. we have the “Miracle on Ice” in which the USA beat the USSR in the Olympics. Some people aren’t even aware that the United States still had to play what would be the gold medal game against Sweden after that. An even more recent example of how sport can bring a nation together is how MLB teams have responded to the bombing at the Boston Marathon by playing “Sweet Caroline” during their games to show support for the victims and the city.
I agree with Will in that sports are a significant part of a nation’s identity. In America, major cities are home to professional sports teams and then sports are further broken down at the collegiate level. Sports teams around the U.S. often reflect the culture in that respective area. For example, hockey is extremely popular in the northeast; partly because of the climate and partly because of the long-brewed rivalries. Sports also provide an avenue of recreation; whether that means participating in them or being a spectator.
I do think sports shape cultures and societies because like I said, they provide recreation and fun in leisure time. Just look at the million dollar industry of baseball, for example. I recently heard that Alex Rodriquez of the New York Yankees makes more annually than some players of other teams combined. Not only does the popularity of sports boost our economy, but it opens the doors to other professions within the sports world such as marketing and promotions. I do not think a devastating loss such as this would affect a fan base significantly. All teams as some point experience losing, but I think that when losing is on a national scale it is paid more attention to. As Will also said, the U.S. 1980 Olympic hockey victory over the Soviets was HUGE. Some people take sports more seriously then others and I think because of this, different cultures experience different emotions.