Lost the fouler

[Oz Referee]

Originally posted by Mark Padgett
To the artist formerly known as OZ - yeah, that's the floor numbering system I meant. The ground floor has no number and the next floor up is numbered "1". Here in the land of infinite Michael Jordans, even if the ground floor has a name, such as "lobby" or "ground", the next floor up is numbered "2".

BTW - in a previous post, you called me (and others) a "seppo". Wasn't he one of the Marx brothers? Oh wait - that was Zeppo. Or maybe, Sneezy?

Also BTW - seriously, what's the difference between rugby and rugby union?

OK Mark, a seppo (which I have previously explained) is rhyming slang. Seppo, short for septic tank, rhymes with Yank. Came about during WW1 (or so I have been told). These days it is used almost exclusively to label Australian wannabe americans.

Rugby League vs Rugby Union
1. 13 players (league) 15 players (union)
2. In League each time you are tackled play pauses, you roll the ball between you legs to a player behind you, and then play continues. If this happens 6 consecutive occasions it is a turnover (similar to downs, but the only goal is to score a try (touchdown)).
3. In Union there is no limit to the number of time a team may be tackled. Instead they have "rucks" and "mauls", basically these are all-in tackles. When a player with the ball falls to the ground, they must release the ball backwards, and only players that are standing up may touch the ball with their hands. It sounds complex, but it is hard to explain via writing
4. The tactics of league are closer to Gridiron than Union. The main technique is to get territorial advantage using 5 tackles and then punt (or hope that the defence concedes a penalty).
5. Union's tactics rely heavily on kicking and quick ball movement.

Personally I was brought up on League, but have become a convert to Union. If you want to get a feel for Union I can suggest playing Jonah Lomu's Rugby on the Play Station - lots of fun!

But seriously, let me know if you require any further details.

Now a question for you - probably more suited to the Football board, but what the heck. Can any player in Gridiron pass the ball? Would it be legal for the QB to throw say a 20 yard pass to a receiver, for them to run 10 yards and then make another pass (either forwards or laterally)?