Rugby Union Competitions

When you first take an interest in rugby it may help to know the names of some of the major rugby competitions and who they are between and a little competition terminology. You will find them here:

Bledisloe Cup – The annual competition between Australia and New Zealand. This event has been held since 1931 and is always highly contested.

Calcutta Cup – Matches involving teams from England and Scotland.

Grand Slam – A term used in a tournament, when one team beats all the others in the one season. It may also be used to describe an international team winning all major tests on a tour.

New South Wales Premiership – This is the name of the New South Wales, Australia, club competition.

Ranfurly Shield – A provincial championship competition in New Zealand. The Ranfurly Shield is a highly sought after ‘log of wood’ for the extra financial returns to the province holding the shield. The shield is usually defended on home territory.

Rugby World Cup – A competition held every four years to determine which nation has the best rugby union team in the world.

Six Nations – The annual tournament played by England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy.

Super 14 – The annual tournament involving the 14 top provincial teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The tournament changed from the Super 12 in 2004.

Test Match – This is a match between teams from two different countries.

Tri-Nations – The annual tournament involving Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Triple Crown – The term used in the Six Nations tournament when the team from England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales has beaten the other three teams.

Webb-Ellis Trophy – The trophy played for in the Rugby World Cup.