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What Other Sports Can Learn From Rugby?
Since its early days rugby has had an enviable history of camaraderie among players and good-humoured rivalry among fans. It has always had a good reputation for on-field discipline and respect for match officials that some other sports can only dream of.
It could well be that these traits have their origins in the roots of the game itself. Rugby developed on the playing fields of Britain's public schools. It was played by "gentlemen" who were expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct and honour. There was little tolerance for those that might break that code and although rugby has changed since those early days and has split into two codes, rugby culture has remained essentially the same.
In part, this could also be due to the physical nature of the game. Rather like boxers who stand toe to toe in the boxing ring slugging it out and yet can hug each other in friendship after the fight, rugby players too, for the most part, seem to leave that hostility towards opponents on the playing field. It is the result of the mutual respect that men seem to have for each other's courage when they come into conflict.
This type of respect seems to be most common in full contact sports and is not only reserved for players but also officials charged with controlling the game. It also has a positive influence on crowd behaviour and up-and-coming players.
But the behaviour of players and fans is not the only lesson that rugby has to offer. Rugby is also leading the way in the use of video technology. First introduced in Australian Rugby League in 1996, it has become a feature not only of League but of Union too and is undergoing constant development.
Rugby currently restricts the use of video technology during game time to try scoring situations. The referee can call on the "Television Match Official" (TMO) to decide if a try has been scored. It is also used post-match to review incidents of alleged foul play. Sometimes even the gets it wrong but, overall, the game benefits because fewer mistakes are made.
It could be argued that rugby lends itself to video technology because it is a stop-start game, unlike football in which extended breaks are rare. But in football there are frequent disputes about off-sides and whether or not the ball has crossed the line for a goal and video technology would surely be able to resolve these questions if footage could be reviewed instantly.
The technology is used to great effect in games like rugby, cricket and tennis and could easily be adapted for other sports where instant replay would be of benefit.
Rugby has also seen tremendous growth in recent years. Once limited to a very few countries, it is now played globally and boasts a wide international following. This is not only because it is a great game but also because of the efforts of the IRB to promote the game worldwide.
A major factor in this growth has been the success of seven-a-side version of the game. Fast and thrilling, the shortened game has developed a huge following and the Sevens circuit attracts sell-out crowds everywhere. The success has been such that Sevens will appear in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Clearly has a lot to offer. Its culture, innovative use of technology and skilful marketing hold lessons from which other sports can learn and benefit.
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