Touch rugby, Refers to games derived from rugby football in which players do not tackle in the traditional, highly physical way, but instead touch their opponents using their hands on any part of the body, clothing, or the ball.

A formal, competitive variety, known as Touch, developed from rugby league and now exists as a sport in its own right. In addition, touch rugby games are played as training activities for rugby league and rugby union; as safer variants of rugby, particularly in schools and junior clubs, and as an informal social sport.

Features[link]

Touch rugby has a number of differences from the traditional games, including its simplicity (requiring very little equipment or even goalposts), its ease of learning and the decreased likelihood of injury. As a result it is a popular social game; mixed-gender and women-only games are also very popular in the UK where Touch Rugby is played in many popular centres around England and Scotland. Touch Rugby League is a growing competition in Brisbane, Australia.^[1]

Beach touch is also popular. Social touch games in South Africa (predominantly the single-touch version) are often played barefoot and as sponsored tournaments at popular seaside holiday sites.

Rule variations[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

The most popular, codified form of touch rugby is derived from rugby league and features two teams of six players. Played under the auspices of the Federation of International Touch (FIT), it is officially known as Touch, and is also called touch football, particularly in Australia, and sometimes 'six down' or 'sixes' in South Africa. FIT rules have become the most common rules used both in FIT-sanctioned competitions and informal games of touch rugby. A version of the FIT rules known as one touch in South Africa features a change of possession after a single touch rather than the six in the league-derived game.

League tag is a semi-contact version of rugby league. It was used initially as a coaching aid to get players new to rugby league in Ireland used to the play-the-ball, retreating to an onside line, and upperbody tackling that stops the ball being passed in the tackle. It was formally codified in 2008 at University College Cork, it allows ball carriers to hold off defenders, and defenders to grab the ball carrier in their bid to touch the ball. Touching the ball effects a tackle

Other versions of touch rugby are not fully codified. For example, as an activity for fitness and skills training, and to reduce the risk of injury, rugby players will sometimes play touch rugby based on modified rugby rules. One common variation is that a fair touch must be below the waist, or, with two hands, or, to encourage rucking, a small non-contact ruck may be formed when a player is "touched". The "touched" player must fall to the ground as he would if he were tackled, and then two players from the attacking team must "ruck" over him within three seconds to keep possession of the ball. A scrum-half then recovers the ball, and play continues.

Touch rugby is often played informally, rather like a pick-up soccer or basketball game. In addition to tackles being replaced by touches, the rules of both rugby codes are simplified, removing elements such as scrums, rucks, mauls, line-outs and kicks.

In the United States, touch is usually played following pre-1967 rugby league rules, minus kicking.^{[citation needed]} Players being touched with two hands must place the ball down or play the ball at the spot of the "tackle," and the defensive team must retreat 5 yards or meters. There is often no tackle count, meaning that almost the only way that the defence can obtain the ball is through offensive mistakes. Whenever an offensive infraction occurs (ball into touch, knock-on, or forward pass), the defence receives a tap-kick at the spot of the infraction. Teams switch sides after each try is scored, and the team scoring the try kicks off from the half point.

Until 2003/2004 the English RFU in its junior development program called The Three Stages of the Rugby Continuum encouraged the playing of Non-contact/touch rugby in its under-eights competition, although now promotes Mini Tag instead.^{[citation needed]}

The students of IIT Kanpur's Aquatics Team also devised a sport which they call Touch Rugby. Although that's an in house innovation combining the rules and plays of Water Polo and Rugby, there are some similarities with the Touch Rugby being discussed in this article, but this is a coincidence.

References[link]

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2009)

External links[link]

• Federation of International Touch (FIT)
• European Federation of Touch (EFT)

National Associations

• Touch Football Australia
• Touch New Zealand
• England Touch
• Swiss Touch Website
• German Touch Website

Local Clubs and Leagues

• Munich Touch Website
• Edinburgh Touch Website
• Touch Superleague
• Touch Rugby League, Australia
• Touch Rugby in The City of Oxford
• Geezers Touch in Zurich, Switzerland

See also[link]

• Touch football (rugby league)
• Tag Rugby
• League tag

Shaun Johnson is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors. NRL commentator Phil Gould has described him as the "New Benji Marshall".

Early years[link]

From Whangaparaoa, Johnson attended Orewa College and played many sports, including basketball and rugby union, but made his name playing touch rugby and Aussie rules. He played rugby league for the Hibiscus Coast Raiders from the age of four until signing for the Warriors.^[1] He has represented New Zealand in both touch rugby and Aussie rules and played rugby union in his school's First XV.^[2]

His mother is Laotian and his father is a Pākehā (New Zealander of European origin).^[3]

Playing career[link]

Johnson played for the Hibiscus Coast Raiders in the Auckland Rugby League competition before being signed by the New Zealand Warriors in 2009.^[4]

Johnson started his professional career playing for the Junior Warriors in the Toyota Cup. In March 2009, League great Andrew Johns commented: "I haven't been this excited about a player in a long time." He was referring to the first time he saw Stacey Jones play, which was in 1995, when Stacey was a junior.^[5] Johnson spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the Junior Warriors and played 45 matches, scoring 25 tries, 159 goals and 4 field goals to finish his Toyota Cup career with 422 points.^[6] He made his NSW Cup debut for the Auckland Vulcans in 2010 and also represented the Junior Kiwis that year.^[7] His final Toyota Cup match was being part of the Junior Warriors winning the 2010 Grand Final.

After suffering an injury at in the pre-season, Johnson spent the start of the 2011 season with the Auckland Vulcans before making his National Rugby League debut on 4 June 2011 against the Sydney Roosters due to an injury to Brett Seymour.^[8]

In the 2011 Preliminary Final against the Melbourne Storm, after his team played a flawless second half, Johnson set up a mesmorizing try for Lewis Brown to seal the game in the 76th minute to play the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the 2011 Grand Final. The Warriors lost to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24-10 in the 2011 Grand Final however Johnson played a tremendous game and almost sparked a surprise upset comeback with a role in both tries and a few outstanding runs. Johnson was named in the New Zealand Kiwis squad for the 2011 Four Nations but withdrew with an injury.

Johnson has re-signed with the Warriors until the end of the 2014 season.

Due to Kieran Foran's injury, Johnson was selected as halfback for the New Zealand Kiwis in the 2012 ANZAC Test. In his first test match Johnson scored an 80 metre intercept try.^[9]

References[link]

Piri Weepu

All Blacks parade after winning 2011 World Cup
Date of birth	(1983-09-07) 7 September 1983 (age 28)
Place of birth	Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	96 kg (212 lb; 15 st 2 lb)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Scrum-half, flyhalf
New Zealand No.	1049
Provincial/State sides
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2003–	Wellington	54	(249)
correct as of 5 October 2011.
Super Rugby
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2004–2011 2012-	Hurricanes Blues	79 6	(250) (0)
correct as of 5 October 2011.
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2004–	New Zealand	54	(91)
correct as of 14 October 2011.

Piri Awahou Tihou Weepu (born 7 September 1983) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays scrum-half for the All Blacks on international level and the Blues in the Super Rugby competition. He also plays for Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship. He first won national honours against Wales in 2004. In 2005 was called back into the All Blacks squad for the first Tri Nations test against South Africa, having missed selection for the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour. He is the brother of former rugby league professional Billy Weepu.^[1]

Early life[link]

Of Māori and Niuean descent,^[2] Weepu hails from Wainuiomata, he played his senior rugby with Hutt Old Boys Marist, under the tutelage of his mentor Derek Bruce. He attended Te Aute College where he was Head Boy.^{[citation needed]}

Rugby career[link]

During the 2006 Super 14 Final, Weepu was knocked unconscious during an attempted tackle. However, due to the bizarrely thick fog during the match, the team doctors were unable to see that he had been unconscious. Weepu was allowed to continue playing, and went on to miss a tackle on Casey Laulala, conceding the match-winning try. Later Weepu admitted that he could not remember the game at all.^{[citation needed]}.

Weepu was not selected for the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, announced on 22 July 2007, with Canterbury halfback Andrew Ellis preferred. The selectors cited form as being a bit wobbly and attitude for Weepu's demotion.^{[citation needed]}

During the 2011 Rugby World Cup Weepu played out of position in the last pool match against Canada, coming off the bench during the second half for Mils Muliaina to play fullback. Much pressure was on the All Blacks to win the Cup, after not having won it since 1987. This time round it looked to be New Zealands year, but the unthinkable happened, All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter was struck with a season ending groin injury. This caused much media strife and even betting odds in favor of the All Blacks began to decrease. In the All Blacks vs Argentina quarter final match, Weepu took on Carter's goal kicking duties. Landing seven penalties with only a missed conversion, along with his outstanding general performance in play, Weepu was named Man of the Match, helping guide New Zealand to victory. He has since become known as "Mr Fixit" or the "saviour".

Weepu currently leads the All Blacks team in the pre-match Haka, both the Ka Mate version and the newer Kapa O Pango.

NRL speculation[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2011)

There has been interest from the Gold Coast Titans to sign Weepu to play rugby league.^[3] Gold Coast CEO Michael Searle said "He's a good player with plenty of experience at the top level in rugby union, and it would be good to get him back to rugby league if we can." Weepu has already been offered a formal invitation to play for the Kiwis in the centenary All Golds celebration by the New Zealand Rugby League.^[4] However Weepu did not take part. He since signed on to New Zealand Rugby, playing for the Wellington-based Hurricanes until the end of 2011 then signing for the Auckland Blues for two further years.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Hurricanes profile
• Piri Weepu at AllBlacks.com
• ESPN Profile
• [1]

Benji Marshall

Marshall playing for Wests in 2009
Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Quentin Marshall[1]
Born	(1985-02-25) 25 February 1985 (age 27)[2] Whakatane, New Zealand
Height	182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	89 kg (14 st 0 lb)
Playing information
Position	Five-eighth, Halfback
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2003–	Wests Tigers	166	68	312	8	916
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2005–2012	New Zealand	28[1]	13	31	0	106
2010–2012	NRL All Stars	3	1	8	0	20
As of 27 May 2012
Source: League Central Rugby League Project

Benji Marshall (born Benjamin Quentin Marshall;^[3] 25 February 1985 in Whakatane, New Zealand) is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League (NRL). A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments. Marshall has spent his whole NRL career to date with the Tigers, winning the 2005 Telstra Premiership with them. He has been noted for his flamboyant attack, including sidesteps,^[4] no-look passes^[5] and flick-passes.^[6] In 2010 won the Golden Boot Award for the World's best player.^[7]

Biography[link]

Marshall was raised without his biological father, but has spoken of the influence of his foster-father Michael Doherty,^[8] and other men within his extended family. He has said he had, "10 or 11 fathers … which is not a bad thing."^[9] He went to school at Whakatane Intermediate.^[10] The eldest of three brothers, he was offered a scholarship to play for a high school in the Gold Coast, Queensland when he was 16. While attending Keebra Park Secondary High School, Marshall played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 2003.^[11] He also represented Australia in touch football that year.^[12] Although eligible to represent Australia, Marshall declared his allegiance to the New Zealand Kiwis early in his career.^[13] In 2003 he was approached by the NZRL while he was playing with the Australian Schoolboys.

Professional playing career[link]

2000s[link]

Marshall made his NRL debut on the 27 July 2003, at age 18 against the Newcastle Knights, coming on as a replacement in the 14th minute as fullback. The Wests Tigers won the game 52–12. Marshall continued to make appearances for Wests Tigers for the remainder of 2003, when his studies allowed, playing half back.

In 2004, Marshall starred in the pre-season World Sevens competition helping the Wests Tigers to win the tournament. He began the NRL season playing centre until he dislocated his shoulder against the North Queensland Cowboys. During his time off the Tigers struggled in attack. When he returned after four weeks off he was moved to the play making position of five-eighth. From there, Marshall set the club on a record 3 match winning streak. He dislocated the same shoulder four weeks into his return and his 2004 season was ended as he had surgery.

In 2005, Marshall injured his other shoulder in the opening minutes of the first trial (practice) match. After missing the opening round match, Marshall played five-eighth for the club's second match of the year against defending premiers, the Bulldogs. With an injury free run, Marshall demonstrated a passing, running, and kicking game to complement his stepping. He was able to score individual tries and set-up tries for his team-mates. Marshall also made his New Zealand debut in the 2005 ANZAC Test. Marshall was a member of the Wests Tigers that defeated North Queensland Cowboys in the 2005 NRL grand final, where he famously set up a 90-metre try to Pat Richards, which was considered to be one of the best tries of grand final history.^[14] The try involved a trademark 'flick pass', at about the 50-metre line to Richards. Marshall was named as New Zealand five-eighth for the 2005 Tri Nations tour. However, surgery on his weak shoulder in the off-season ruled him out and he also missed the 2006 World Club Challenge.

In 2006, Marshall made his comeback from surgery against St George Illawarra but broke his cheek bone.^[15] He played the rest of the match and set up the winning try.

Making his comeback against the Cowboys Marshall set up many tries with a mixture of stepping and perceptiveness. In the 79th minute he was injured by Cowboy's prop Carl Webb.^[15] He popped his shoulder out but recovered in three weeks, playing for New Zealand in the ANZAC test. With another injury-free run he began producing dominating performances for the Tigers but eight weeks into his come-back he dislocated the same shoulder that had been dislocated against North Queensland, and he missed the rest of the season.

In 2007, Marshall again made his comeback from injury against the Melbourne Storm in Round 1. Marshall had to adapt to changes within the team such as the departure of halfback, Scott Prince, and the added responsibility of goal kicking while fullback, Brett Hodgson, was recovering from a knee injury. In round 8, Marshall sustained a fractured shoulder in a tackle where his arm was jammed between Melbourne's Israel Folau and the Tiger's Taniela Tuiaki.

In 2008 Marshall's injury troubles continued when he suffered a knee ligament tear in the third minute of the season's opening game.^[16] He returned in round 7. Halfway through 2008, coach Tim Sheens' announced his plan to move Marshall to the halfback position during the 2009 season,^[17] going as far as encouraging New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney to play Marshall in this role during the 2008 World Cup.^[18] The suggestion was declined.^[18]

"Benji equals anybody I've seen in terms of flair, and making something happen. He is a remarkable talent, born out of living on the edge. That's the way he is. He was made to be a footballer."

-Wayne Bennett^[19]

In October 2008, Marshall was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad.^[20] Marshall captained New Zealand for the first time on 8 November 2008, in a World Cup match against England.^[21] Marshall scored a try and kicked two conversions in the Kiwis' 2008 Rugby League World Cup final victory over the Kangaroos. It was the Kiwis first ever World Cup victory, in a game they were considered, "massive underdogs."^[22]

Marshall running the ball in a match against the Newcastle Knights in 2009.

In round one of the 2009 season, Marshall started at halfback alongside John Morris at five-eighth. By the third round of the season, Marshall began to make an impact in his new role, helping the team to a 40–24 win over the Sydney Roosters.^[23]

In March, 2009, despite speculation that he might play rugby union in Japan, Marshall signed with the Wests Tigers for a further two seasons through to the end of 2011.^[24] Following Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless' retirement from international football in 2009, Marshall was named as captain in that year's ANZAC Test.

Marshall returned to his old position of five-eighth from July, 2009,^[25] though both Marshall and coach Tim Sheens insisted that Marshall had been switching between first and second receiver throughout the entire season.^[26] Marshall went on to be named at 5/8 in the Team of the Year as chosen by The Rugby League International Federation.^[27]

In early 2009 Marshall signed a further extension with the Tigers, to stay at the club until the end of the 2015 season, saying, "I just can't see myself as anything other than a one-club man."^[28]

2010s[link]

As captain of New Zealand, Marshall was an automatic selection for the NRL All Stars in 2010.^[29]

In March 2010, Marshall scored two tries against the Parramatta Eels to become the highest try-scorer for the Wests Tigers, breaking the record of 43 previously held by Daniel Fitzhenry.^[30] Later that year, in a match against the Titans, Marshall kicked a 51 metre long field goal, considered to be the longest in NRL history.^[31] 2010 was the first season that Marshall had played without missing a game due to injury, and his form was thought to be close to his career-best.^[32] He played in 34 games in 2010, the most of any NRL player.^[33]

After leading the Kiwis to victory in the 2010 Four Nations tournament, was named as the winner of Rugby League World Golden Boot Award for international footballer of the year. He was the first Wests Tigers player to win this award and the third New Zealander, after Hugh McGahan and Stacey Jones.^[34] He was also named by Big League magazine as one of the five players of the year.^[33]

As New Zealand captain, Marshall was again an automatic selection in the 2011 All Stars Match.

In March 2011, Marshall was charged with assault after another man sustained a facial injury during an altercation with Marshall at a McDonald's restaurant in Sydney. In August, the judge dismissed the case, saying she had reasonable doubt that the injury was caused by Marshall.^[35]

In round 14 of the 2011 season, Marshall scored 2 tries against the New Zealand Warriors. He had then scored a try against every team in the NRL.^[36] Before the end of the season he had eclipsed Brett Hodgson as the highest scorer in the short history of the Wests Tigers, having amassed 797 points in 151 games.^[37] Marshall was the top point-scorer for the 2011 NRL season. After the post-season test against Australia in Newcastle, Marshall travelled to England with the Kiwis for the 2011 Four Nations tournament.

On 3 November 2011 The annual RLIF Awards dinner was held at the Tower of London and Marshall was named stand-off half back of the year.^[38]

Marshall began the 2012 season by captaining the NRL All Stars team to victory in the inaugural Arthur Beetson trophy.^[39]

Career highlights[link]

• First Grade Debut: 2003 – Round 13, Wests Tigers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, 8 June.
• Premierships: 2005 – Wests Tigers defeated North Queensland Cowboys 30 - 16 in the Grand Final, Stadium Australia, Sydney, 2 October.
• New Zealand Test Debut: 2005 – ANZAC Test, New Zealand v Australia, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 22 April.
• New Zealand Test Captain: 2008-
• New Zealand Test Squad Selection: 2005-2012
• World Cups: 2008 – New Zealand defeated Australia 34 - 20 in Final, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 26 October.
• NRL All Stars Debut: 2010 – NRL All Stars v Indigenous All Stars, Skilled Park, Robina, Queensland, 13 February.
• NRL All Stars Captain: 2012
• NRL All Stars Selection: 2010-2012

Footnotes[link]

References[link]

• Sydney Morning Herald Article, October 2005
• Benji’s debut – Sydney Morning Herald July 2003

External links[link]

• Benji Marshall at Wests Tigers
• Benji Marshall at NRL.com
• Benji Marshall at Rugby League Tables