Two centuries of the rugged and physically challenging sport of rugby.
Rugby: A Celebration, Evolution, and a "$%^&!” Exciting Future!
2023 marks the start of a crazy-amazing year for the world of rugby, with unmatched enthusiasm, change, and innovation setting the tone for the 200th anniversary celebration and the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
The legend goes that a guy named William Webb Ellis broke the rules and changed the game forever by picking up a ball during a football match. So here we are, 200 years later, with a sport that's managed to captivate millions and leave 'em breathless. Now it's time to kick things up a notch and reinvent the game to make it even more appealing, relevant, and accessible.
In a world post pandemic, change is the name of the game. And rugby is keeping up. From player welfare and fan engagement to financial and environmental sustainability, the sport is leveling up to meet fast-evolving demands and social issues. The goal? To become a truly global sensation.
Kicking off 2023 with a global objective, World Rugby is introducing new legal directives to speed up the game, improve the experience for players, spectators, and match officials, and reduce reliance on technology. Look for less TMO (television match official), less wait times before scrums and lineouts, and the introduction of "shot clocks" and other tweaks. Keep an eye out for more significant changes as we move forward.
World Rugby wants your input! Launching the sport's largest-ever consultation, they're working to develop the game with you at the heart of everything they do. By collecting your thoughts on shaping the game, they aim to create a better, stronger, and more attractive rugby for all.
The Rugby World Cup 2023 will be a high-stakes, electrifying event featuring the very best teams. The race to win the Webb Ellis Cup is going to be fierce and unpredictable, just like the staunch competition off the pitch. With groundbreaking women's rugby in New Zealand in 2022 smashing barriers and capturing the attention of new fans worldwide, France 2023 will be a wild-west style 200th birthday extravaganza.
As we gear up for a decade of top-tier rugby events, culminating in the USA hosting its first 15s Rugby World Cups, welcome Chile to the party! Celebrating the 200th anniversary of rugby, France will be hosting the most [fancy-schmancy] and lively of parties. So grab some drinks, a snack, and get ready for some serious rugby action!
On-field events aside, 2023 brings a whole new ball game with the launch of the WXV competition, demonstrating World Rugby's unwavering commitment to women in rugby and creating a high-performance environment to support increased competition at future Rugby World Cups.
Two noteworthy events to keep your eyes on? The start of rugby sevens qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and World Rugby's continued evolution in growing the sport globally. By supporting and shaping the mission of growth, World Rugby is working to make the sport more accessible and enjoyable for fans everywhere.
We've already had a mouth-watering start to the year with exciting rugby action at both the TikTok Six Nations and the Guinness Six Nations. Ireland took home the men's Six Nations title, and England secured a second straight TikTok Women's Six Nations Grand Slam. Can't wait to see who takes the trophy in 2024!
Introduced in 2019, the Try and Stop Us campaign has inspired players from around the world, and regional associations and member unions are now conducting their own versions of the "Unstoppables" search. Keep an eye out for spine-tingling tales of resilience and determination in the rugby community.
Player welfare will always be the foundation of everything in rugby. The six-point plan focused on welfare in 2022, and research from World Rugby's renowned smart mouthguard studies will be released this year to help further advance the game and support players.
With these new updates and changes, rugby remains the sport with the most advancements in player welfare, combining priceless moments of emotion and high-stakes drama with the core value of unmatched respect among players, coaches, and match officials. Together, we'll make sure to protect and uphold that spirit in everything we do. Let the games begin!
Psst! Fancy a flutter on the rugby? South Africa has a slew of online betting sites to choose from, with stellar choices like Supabets, bet.co.za, Gbets, and Betway. Why not give 'em a spin while watching some great rugby action this year? ¯_(ツ)_/¯
- In the spirit of the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2023, the excitement for rugby betting is gaining momentum as we approach the tournament in France.
- As rugby moves towards its 200th anniversary, maintaining player welfare while expanding the sport globally will be crucial barriers to overcome in the coming years.
- With World Rugby's continuous efforts to speed up the game, fans might witness an increase in tries and impressive rugby action during the 2024 Olympic Games qualification.
- Beyond on-field action, supporting and shaping the growth of rugby through initiatives like the Try and Stop Us campaign and the WXV competition will ensure that the sport remains relevant and enjoyable in sports communities around the world.
