Australian Rules Football and Rugby Union
- Silvia W
- Mar 19, 2024
- 2 min read
As I have mentioned, I am in this awesome class all about Sport in Australian culture. Let me tell you, sport is super popular here. And the class is barely a class. Lots of field trips!
A couple weekends ago, I went to an Australian rules football match, and the next night, a Rugby Union match. These are completely different sports, with different rules, different fanbases, and played on completely different fields.
Australian rules football is played on a cricket field - not confusing at all, I know. I don't understand all the rules, but I do know that the players are trying to get the ball between some vertical poles. There's one type of score that gets you 1 point and one that gets you 6 points. The feeling at the game was uniquely Australian. They sang songs as each of teams ran out on the field. We were there to support the Sydney Swans, and their song was cool, but I got a little tickle when I heard the Melbourne Demons' song, which was just "You're a Grand Old Flag" with slightly different words. I guess it makes sense if you think about it - it was an English song before I came to know it as an American song, so Australia has adopted it too, for a different purpose.
Here is a bit of the Sydney Swans song:
And a comparison for you...
Finally, one of my favorite moments from the game. When you don't know the rules, you have to enjoy the simple things. Like a swan mascot dancing to a certain Rick Astley hit.
The Rugby Union match had a little less hype, but I understood the rules a bit better, and our seats were much closer to the action! I was second row right by one of the end zones. (I don't know if it's actually called an end zone but that's effectively what it was.) The players pass the ball to each other and are trying to get the equivalent of a touchdown, basically. If you know the actual rugby rules, I'm so sorry for me just making this up as I go.
This game was the New South Wales Waratahs versus the Otago Highlanders (a team from New Zealand). The Waratahs lost, but I got to see several "tries" scored, and several scrums! Yay rugby! Plus they gave me a free flag.
Overall, between those two options, I preferred the Australian rules football match. Good thing I get to go again this weekend when my family gets here for their visit! Eeeek!
That weekend, I also took a stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens. It was pretty hot and bright out, but it was worth it to see the beautiful flowers and cool trees.
And with that, I'll leave you with the view from Mrs. Macqaurie's Point. The wife of Governor Macquarie back in the early days had this place she always liked to sit that overlooked the harbour and the beauty of the colony. Today, you can see the two most iconic Sydney structures.
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