Watching Rugby in Sydney

Football and soccer (or football, if you insist) have legions of dedicated fans around the world, but few are exposed to the passion of rugby fanatics. Here are some tips if you ever find yourself watching a match in Sydney.

Quiet for the kick

Similar to when tennis players serve, the audience is expected to stay quiet when a kick is taking place, so don’t bring any noisemakers to distract the opposing team. In fact, it is customary to applaud the other team if they make a good play.

Respect the ref

A classic sight at games is to see the manager rush to the referee for a heated argument, but don’t expect to see any of that here. Even for audiences, booing a call is generally frowned upon.

Stay civil

Rugby fans love to tell you how hard their players are, eschewing any kind of padding except for a mouthpiece. As for the spectators, don’t expect any hooliganism here. American and English football crowds tend to be rowdy, but here in Sydney the fans are a little more reserved.

Find a pub

Some things never change, and the age old pairing of drinking and sports is universal. Sydney has hundreds of pubs packed with rugby fans, so you’re guaranteed a lively night. For a classic spot with a long rugby heritage, check out the Rugby Pub in Circular Quay.