A rugby world cup? Bere with me, what is rugby? I asked. Apparently French are into rugby. So, I got my answer easily. Rugby means to take a ball in your arms and run literally. You can imagine rugby is like football. But, unlike football, the ball can't be passed forwardly. All players need to pass the ball backwardly. Besides, football players have helmets, fake shoulders, and protections. But rugby players don't. Rugby players compete just with their bodies. So raw.
Players can gain ground only by running with the ball or by kicking it. Scoring in a rugby game occurs by achieving either a try or a goal. A quote from Wikipedia,
A try (at goal) involves grounding the ball, that is, touching the ball to the ground over the goal line at the opponent's end of the field. (New rules say that you must show 'intent' as you do this.) A goal results from kicking the ball over the crossbar between the upright goal posts. Three different types of kicks at goal can score points: the goal kick after a try has been awarded (which if successful becomes a conversion); the drop kick; and the penalty kick. The points awarded vary.
I sensed the rugby fever. Since September, French mentioned the World Cup. They asked each other if any one wanted to watch the game together. The fever got more severe at the week when a game between France and New Zealand would occur. The game was a quarter final. Robin arranged a lunch gathering at his place to watch this game together. His place is in San Francisco. Too far. So we passed it. When France kicked New Zealand's ass, you could imagine how happy French were. French told me the first half France was losing. The second half was incredible for France. France performed a no mistake defense. It was unusual. France team deserved to be praised.
Last week, it was the semi final week. France vs. England. As usual, Robin asked people to his place. Since semi final was a big event, Stanford I Center hosted a rugby event for student and related parties. We got an email from a friend so we knew we could go to I Center instead of driving 30 miles to enjoy the game.
We got up late. We missed the beginning part at the time we took off. We arrived 10 min before the game finished. At that time, France was 9 and England was 8. Totof told me secretively that he did not want France win. How come? Because if France won, then no French would want to go surfing on next Saturday. He prefers surfing than watching rugby.
His wish was granted.
England got a penalty kick. 3 points. Then, England got another 3 points before the game was closed. In I Center, we sensed more people were pro England. People yelled Go England. Come on England. People cheered really loudly when England scored. Of course some people there were not for England. You could hear Allez. But the voice was dim.
England won. Many people shouted. Some small crowds frowned. C'est la vie.
