Rugby Super League : The Sport of Rugby Football is regarded as the next most-popular full-contact team sport after football. With a huge fan following for this fast-paced and adrenaline pumping sport, rugby football has spread to many countries across the world.
Since its origin in 1823, at the Rugby School, in Warwickshire, England, rugby football has evolved gradually over the years. While rugby rules were first formulated and published in 1845, its separation from the Football Association (FA) for the sport's individuality in 1863 caused the formation of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) in 1871. With the establishment of the International Rugby Board (IRB) as the world governing and law-making body for rugby in 1886, the sport flourished with many countries forming their own unions. A schism within the game itself occurred causing the game to be split into different forms. Despite its two forms, namely rugby union and rugby league, this full-contact team sport has established itself worldwide as a popular recreational sport, played at both international and domestic levels.
After ‘professionalism' was introduced to the game by the IRB in 1995, major International tournaments, cups, leagues and competitions were being held around the world. A major competition of the sport of rugby football is the Rugby Super League. The Rugby Super League is the term referred to the various competitions of rugby football held in different nations of the world.
The major tournaments of the Rugby Super League for the rugby league form of the sport are:
- Super League (Australia) – this former rugby league competition held in Australia, was played only for a single season in 1997. Created by News Corporation, this competition was dogged by legal suits for almost two years, and finally had to be merged with fellow-competitor of Australian Rugby League forming the National Rugby League in 1998. Some of the competitions played under the Super League are the World Nines, Telstra Cup, Tri-series, Super League Challenge Cup, Super League (Europe), World Club Challenge, Tests, Oceania Cup.
- Super League (Europe) – This full-time professional rugby league competition of England and France started in 1996. The current official name of this competition is the ‘Engage Rugby Super League' due to its sponsors, Engage Mutual Assurance. The regular season of 28 games each per team, moving onto the six teams for the playoff's, ultimately leading to the Finals. The winners then challenge the Australian NRL champions for the World Club Challenge. Some of the major clubs are St. Helens RFC, Bradford Bulls and Les Catalans.
The major tournaments of the Rugby Super League for the rugby union form of the sport are:
- Rugby Super League (USA) – due to its sponsors, this leading national rugby union competition is officially known as ‘Michelob Super League'. Created in 1996, the competition is endorsed by USA Rugby. Played annually, the present 2007 season's teams are categorized into Eastern and Western divisions, where 18 teams will vie against each other for the title. Some of the major participating clubs are Boston RFC, Belmont Shore, Old Blue, New York Athletic Club and Old Mission Beach Athletic Club.
- Rugby Canada Super League (RSCL) – this is the leading national semi-professional competition of Canada, which began in 1998, and is played annually. The teams are drawn from provincial unions, and are categorized into Eastern and Western divisions, where 13 teams will vie against each other for the title. Some of the major participating clubs are Newfoundland Rock, Saskatchewan Prairie Rock, Vancouver Island Crimson Tide and Fraser Valley Venom.
- Super XIV – This professionally played rugby union competition is played amongst the provincial teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and is the premier-level rugby event in the southern hemisphere. Created in 1996, the competition between 14 teams since 2006, from the original12 teams, has seen the event become immensely popular, being broadcast in over 41 countries. Some of the major participating clubs are the Brumbies, Blues, Crusaders, Highlanders and Bulls.
The major Rugby Super League competition has vastly promoted the growth for the sport of rugby football across the world. This popular recreational sport, with its excitement, skill and strategy, will eventually bring in a new wave for fitness amongst players and fans, in the world of sports.
