# Chapter 10: Cousins & Other Forms

Rugby · Chapter 10: Cousins & Other Forms · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/rugby/interesting-facts/chapter-10-cousins-other-forms/)

Rugby's relatives and unusual forms: underwater rugby, wheelchair rugby's champions, international rules, Shrovetide football, calcio storico, the Haxey Hood, the Eton Wall Game, the Army v Navy match, ancient ball games and Gaelic football.

## 10.101 Underwater Rugby

A sinking ball, metal baskets and a game played at the bottom of a pool.

### Test 1: Underwater rugby

- A Cologne diving club came up with the idea in 1961. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- An air-filled ball would float to the surface. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- Stainless steel baskets sit at each end of the bottom. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- Deep enough to play in three dimensions. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- Six more wait on the side as substitutes. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- The World Underwater Federation. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- They have been held every four years since. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- 1961, 1964, 1978 and 1980. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- A start at the walls, then the race to the ball. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')
- Each team defends a basket at its end of the pool floor. (Source: CMAS (World Underwater Federation) underwater rugby commission; Underwater Rugby Association of Australia, 'What is underwater rugby?')

## 10.102 Wheelchair Rugby's Golds

The Paralympic champions of the fast and fierce game.

### Test 1: Wheelchair rugby's golds

- They beat Canada 66-51 in the final. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- It finished 59-58. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- No European team had won the event before. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- Great Britain won 54-49. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- Japan beat the USA 48-41. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- A temporary arena near the Eiffel Tower. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- Silver in Rio, Tokyo and Paris. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- 2012, 2016, 2020 (played 2021) and 2024. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- One point, five, seven and fifteen. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)
- At the 2024 Paralympic Games. (Source: International Paralympic Committee results: London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024 (paralympic.org); Paralympics Australia, Ryley Batt)

## 10.103 International Rules

Gaelic football meets Australian rules: Ireland against Australia.

### Test 1: International rules

- It lets Ireland and Australia play each other. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- The Gaelic football ball, a disadvantage for Australians. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- It coincided with the GAA's centenary year. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- The series was played in Ireland. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- The other two tests were at Croke Park. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- It resumed in 2008. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- An over is worth three and a behind one. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- 1967, 1984, after 2006 and 2008. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- One, three and six points. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')
- Dublin's great Gaelic ground hosted two of the three. (Source: AFL, 'International Rules history' (afl.com.au); GAA records of the International Rules Series; Eirball, 'Ireland v Australia 1984-1990')

## 10.104 Royal Shrovetide Football

Two days, a whole town and goals three miles apart.

### Test 1: Royal Shrovetide football

- A market town in Derbyshire. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- Play starts in the afternoon and can go on into the night. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- The Henmore Brook divides the town. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- Each goal is on the site of an old mill. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- The goals are millstones set into the banks. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- The Prince of Wales 'turned up' the ball in 1928. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- Like the Prince of Wales before him in 1928. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- 6 January, Shrovetide in February or March, 24 June and 30 November. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- From the start in Ashbourne to a goal at the mill. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')
- In Ashbourne the giant scrum is the 'hug'. (Source: Royal Shrovetide Committee, Ashbourne; University of Derby, 'Shrovetide football: the history behind the famous game')

## 10.105 Calcio Storico

Florence's fierce game in a square of sand.

### Test 1: Calcio storico

- Calcio storico fiorentino, 'historic Florentine football'. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- Sand is laid over the square for the matches. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- The feast day of St John the Baptist, Florence's patron saint. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- A big squad for a small square. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- One for each historic quarter of the city. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- The Azzurri of Santa Croce. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- Florentines played on while the city was under siege. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- About 1359, 1530 and 1717. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- Costumes, the game, then the party. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)
- The square becomes a pitch of sand. (Source: City of Florence, Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Comune di Firenze); The Florentine)

## 10.106 The Haxey Hood

A lady's lost hood, a Fool and a sway that ends at a pub.

### Test 1: The Haxey Hood

- Twelfth Night, unless it falls on a Sunday. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- Farm workers chased it across the fields. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- Tradition gives about 1359. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- It is pushed through the crowd. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- It moves slowly towards one of the village pubs. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- It stays there until the next year's game. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- He is helped by the boggins and the Fool. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- And the game has been played ever since. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- The Fool leads the procession between pubs. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')
- The Fool leads the way and is 'smoked' before the game. (Source: Lincolnshire Life, 'The Haxey Hood'; Yorkshire Post, 'Haxey Hood: 21 things to know')

## 10.107 The Eton Wall Game

A wall from 1717, two teams of ten and a goal not seen since 1909.

### Test 1: The Eton Wall Game

- 30 November. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- Collegers are the King's Scholars; Oppidans are the rest of the school. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- It runs between the Slough Road and the playing fields. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- Goals are so rare that matches end level or are won on shies. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- The play is a tight, slow scrum along the wall. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- Scoring shies is the usual way to win. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- Then they climb over after them. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- 1717, 1841 and 1909. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- A ritual before the scrum. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))
- The narrow strip along the wall is the whole pitch. (Source: Eton College Collections, 'Origins of the Wall Game' and 'St Andrew's Day at Eton College' (collections.etoncollege.com))

## 10.108 The Army v Navy Match

Officers at the Oval in 1878, and a full Twickenham today.

### Test 1: The Army v Navy match

- Officers of both services met on 13 February 1878. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- Better known today as a cricket ground. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- The RAF had been formed only two years before. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- Babcock International sponsors the match. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- It draws one of the biggest crowds of the English club season. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- Their first back-to-back wins since 1974. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- It returned after the pandemic. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- 1878, 1920 and 2026. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- The navy's roots are oldest; the army dates from 1660; the RAF from 1918. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)
- Now called the Allianz Stadium. (Source: Navy Rugby, '1878: the first first match' (navyrugby.co.uk); Inter-Service Rugby Championship (interservicerugbychampionship.co.uk); Royal Navy, May 2026)

## 10.109 Ancient Ball Games

Romans, Greeks, Welsh villagers and Japanese courtiers.

### Test 1: Ancient ball games

- Players fought to keep a small ball. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- Two teams tried to throw a ball over each other's line. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- Hundreds of men chased a wooden ball across the countryside. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- George Owen of Henllys. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- It was played in Normandy, Brittany and Picardy. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- Players kick the ball to one another without letting it fall. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- A greased wooden ball, hard to hold. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- Classical Greece, the Roman Empire, then Tudor Wales. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- 1603, 1857 and 1871. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)
- Parishes played one another, the ball carried for miles. (Source: British Museum and Penn Museum on ancient ball games; George Owen of Henllys, Description of Pembrokeshire (1603); Japan Kemari Preservation Society)

## 10.110 Gaelic Football

Ireland's own game: a hotel in Thurles, a famous cup and Croke Park.

### Test 1: Gaelic football

- The meeting was held at Hayes Hotel. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- Michael Cusack was among its founders. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- The same number as a rugby union side. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- The Liam MacCarthy Cup is hurling's trophy. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- The Kingdom leads the roll of honour. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- It also hosted rugby while Lansdowne Road was rebuilt. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- Crown forces opened fire on the crowd at a match. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- 1884, 1920 and 1984. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- About 26,000, 51,000 and 82,000. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)
- Kerry, 'the Kingdom', lead the roll of honour. (Source: GAA history (gaa.ie): Hayes Hotel, Thurles, 1884; Croke Park Museum; GAA records of All-Ireland football champions)

Sources: Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: World Rugby and its Hall of Fame and records, the World Rugby Museum at Twickenham, the unions' own histories (RFU, WRU, SRU, IRFU, FFR, NZR, SA Rugby, Rugby Australia), Rugby School, the clubs' and competitions' own histories, the IOC, Guinness World Records and named reputable media.

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