I love fall!!! Fall is officially here and I've noticed that my friends' Facebook updates are a mixture of exclamations about football games and all things pumpkin. Right now, however, much of the rest of the world is excited about another game: Rugby! Rugby has been played around the world for several hundred years. It is likely that today's accepted version of Rugby began in Rugby, England in the mid-seventeenth century. Since it's birth, rugby has been played in countries all around the globe, becoming extremely popular in Australia, several African nations, and many European countries. This year, the rugby world champions will be crowned at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The tournament kicked off on September 9th and the final match will be decided on October 23rd.

I must admit that I was clueless about the timing of this grand sporting event until I stumbled across a post on another blog discussing the excitement of rugby fans around the world. This post focused mostly on the home team and favored champions, the New Zealand All Blacks. The history of New Zealand's rugby team and it's revered place in Kiwi culture fascinated me! Before every game, the All Blacks (known as such for their all black uniforms) perform a Haka, a traditional Maori ceremonial performance, to ready themselves for battle and pay homage to the rich influence of New Zealand's indigenous cultures. It is a very inspiring thing to see! Here is the All Blacks famous Haka "Ka Mate" with explanatory subtitles:

For more information about the history of the Haka, you can also visit the team's website: http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=haka

Although rugby is not currently well-known in the US, the sport's popularity is gaining ground. In Lexington, for example, there are 4 rugby teams for your scrumming pleasure. The University of Kentucky has men's and women's club teams and there are two community club teams: The Lexington Blackstones (men's) and The Lexington Black Widows (women's). Anyone is welcome to join these teams and, because rugby is not something we learn in gym class around here, newbies are not expected to have any experience. Just bring your toughness and enthusiasm. If you're not interested in playing, the ruggers always enjoy the support of fans. You can put on your favorite fall sweater and watch the UK Women's Rugby Football Club take on Dayton, OH at 11am on Saturday, October 1st at the UK Club Sport Field and stay to see the UK Men's club play U of L at 1pm. Don't forget to take along a warm, pumpkin-flavored beverage! Check the links above for more dates and times of future matches.

If you're more of a couch fly-half and tend to enjoy sporting events from the comfort of your home or a tall bar stool, you can rub elbows with Lexington ruggers at Lynagh's, McCarthy's or Winchell's while taking in the match replays. You will definitely find them at Lynagh's on Tuesday night around 8pm as the USA takes on Italy. For more listings, check this link. For more information about rugby, football and fall; check out some of LPL's new picks below.

Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

Author: John Carlin

Publisher: Penguin Press HC, The (2008)

Binding: Hardcover, 288 pages

Rugby Skills, Tactics & Rules

Author: Tony Williams, Gordon Hunter

Publisher: Firefly Books (2000)

Binding: Paperback, 192 pages

100 Yards of Glory: The Greatest Moments in NFL History

Author: Joe Garner, Bob Costas

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2011)

Binding: Hardcover, 320 pages

The Official NFL Record and Fact Book 2011 (Official National Football League Record and Fact Book)

Author: Editors at the NFL

Publisher: NFL (2011)

Binding: Paperback, 624 pages

Sarah Fritschner's Holidays: Menus and Recipes for the Fall Holiday Season

Author: Sarah Fritschner

Publisher: Butler Books (2004)

Binding: Paperback, 160 pages

Play With Your Pumpkins

Author: Joost Elffers, Saxton Freymann, Johannes Van Damm

Publisher: Stewart Tabori & Chang (1998)

Binding: Hardcover, 80 pages