The (Game) Play's the Thing

Armchair Playmaker has featured a few posts about rugby union and league in the media, but until now hasn't mentioned the codes' place in the popular video game industry. Given that we're still on the back edge of the holiday gift-giving season, a quick glance at the sports' recent video game offerings is in order. No product reviews here, just a short listing and some game footage.

Union:
Electronic Arts' EA Sports brand has had a strong grip on the rugby union video game market for some time, releasing several games internationally in the last few years. Their most recent offering, Rugby 08 (though it was actually released in 2007), is available for the Playstation 2 and for personal computers. It was also released in both the NTSC (playable in the United States and Canada, among other places) and PAL (playable in the Unitd Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Europe, among other places) formats. Here's a quick video:

No word on when the next incarnation may be out, though a Rugby 10 game is plausible considering the previous incarnation was Rugby 06.

Ubisoft's Rugby Challenge 2006 is another recent rugby union release. Fans can play the game anywhere in the world on their personal computer, but the XBox and Playstation 2 versions appear to have been released only in PAL format. Here's a clip:


A different sort of rugby union game is Cyanide Studios' Pro Rugby Manager 2, released for personal computers in 2005. Unlike the other rugby union video games, the player doesn't actually control any match play here. Instead, the game is about what it sounds like: managing a side and watching their progress. Interested players don't need to wait for this game to arrive in the mail, as this game can be purchased and downloaded online from Cyanide Studios' online store for 29.99 Euros.

League:
Sidhe Interactive's Rugby League 2, released in 2005, is the main notable rugby league offering. It was released for personal computers, so it can be played worldwide, but the XBox and Playstation 2 versions are available in PAL format only. Here's a look:

A new World Cup Edition of the game, which features the same play but updated teams, players, etc., and a World Cup option, was released this year, but only on Playstation 2 in the PAL region. Rumors of a Rugby League 3 game have circulated, but nothing more yet. Meantime, there are some player-created updates that Rugby League 2 owners can download and install (at their own risk).

So there's the whirlwind tour of what's out there in video games for the rugby union and rugby league enthusiasts. Did I miss any? If so, drop a comment.

Sevens Going for Gold

The 2008-2009 IRB Sevens World Series is off to a flying start, with South Africa threatening to break New Zealand's perennial dominance after winning the season's first two tournaments in Dubai and George.

Although the international sevens season has just begun and the next tournament in the series is not until February, the seven-a-side variant has been a hot topic all year because of high-profile attempts to get sevens into the Olympic Games. The effort has failed before, but some say the sport is a perfect fit. Earlier in the year, the International Rugby Board even went so far as to release a video lobbying for sevens' inclusion. Have a look at the video, which primarily features spokespeople and clips from the more traditional version of rugby union, and see if you're moved (or just to see the somewhat bizarre scene in the first twenty seconds wherein a woman briefly appears to be pregnant ... with a rugby football?):

"Marshall Plan" is a Busy One

While a lot of players are crossing codes to cash in and get a change of scenery, Wests Tigers and New Zealand Kiwis star Benji Marshall is looking to get the best of both worlds--or at least, the busiest.

On the heels of the Kiwis' first ever Rugby League World Cup win, Marshall has expressed an interest in playing union. It is possible, though, that he may stay in league by playing union in Japan during the league offseason.

The possible move, considered by some to be strictly a cash grab, may not be on given that Marshall has no union offers yet. That said, the speculation continues.

So is Benji Marshall good enough to play two codes at once? You be the judge:

Watch Rugby Union Online for Free

In the United States, it's difficult to watch rugby union free of charge. Occasional matches are provided through some of ESPN's stations and their alternate online venue, though access to both of these outlets is not universal. Subscribing to the Setanta Sports television channel or broadband access is another option, though the price may be too high for some. Others have chosen to use the Rugbyzone online service from Mediazone, though it too comes at a price.

But not for a little while. If you want to watch rugby union in America but don't have access to a subscription service, it looks like Christmas has come early. At present, the Rugbyzone site has a large number of videos available free of charge and without any form of registration at all. For now, users can just go to the site, click on a video, and watch a streaming feed. As the Rugbyzone site explains, this stunning windfall for the cash-strapped American rugby fan is a temporary result of Rugbyzone's construction of a new site infrastructure and video delivery format, and will end in early 2009 when the new site is ready. In the meantime, enjoy the video. There is lots of it, with a large archive of matches going back several months.

Enjoy it while it lasts!

Barbarians at the Gates

The famed Barbarians representative side will be back in action today, taking on Australia as the latter side ends a European tour. The century-plus history of the invitational side is rich, though some consider the tradition an outdated one.

In any case, the match should promise some exciting rugby, as is evidenced by these brief highlights from their 2007 end-of-the-year clash with South Africa:



And of course, no discussion of the Barbarians is complete without a mention of their famous 1973 match against New Zealand, a few classic moments from which are below: