Rugby tens

Rugby tens, also called ten-a-side and Xs, is a fun version of rugby union where each team has ten players instead of the usual fifteen. Usually, there are five forwards and five backs on the field. The games are much shorter than normal rugby, with two halves that each last about ten minutes.

Unlike other popular rugby styles like rugby sevens and beach rugby, which started in countries that love rugby, rugby tens began in Malaysia. Malaysia has never been able to join the big international competition called the Rugby World Cup.

The rules for rugby tens are almost the same as rugby sevens, and you can find them on the World Rugby website. This sport is exciting and a great way for players to enjoy a quick, fast-paced game.

History

Rugby tens was started by the Combined Old Boys Rugby Association (COBRA) of Malaysia in 1967. It was made to help players in Asia compete better against bigger players from countries where rugby is very popular. COBRA organized the first Rugby ten-a-side tournament, called COBRA 10s, in the same year. This tournament has grown from something local into a big international event. Over 40 nations have taken part, and many players have later played for their national teams.

The game is quite popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Republic of Korea, and Thailand. It is also growing fast in South Africa. Tournaments have also been held in Europe, Africa, Australasia, and North America.

Features of the game

A rugby tens match has two halves of 10 minutes each, but the organizer of the tournament can sometimes change this rule. In the scrum, there are five players, instead of eight as in regular rugby or three as in rugby sevens.

Tournaments

Some big rugby tens tournaments are the COBRA Rugby Tens, which started in 1967, and the Hong Kong Football Club Tens, which began in 1986. Other important tournaments include the Cape Town Tens, the World Club 10s (2014-2018), the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens (2017-2018), Flanders Open Rugby, Manila 10s, and Stockholm 10s.

The Cape Town Tens is very popular and brings teams from many countries to South Africa every February.