Rugby union in Taiwan
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
in Taiwan
(also known as the Republic of China
, and formerly as Formosa) is a significant sport. For political reasons, they compete as Chinese Taipei. They are currently ranked 61st, and have 3040 registered players.
Unlike the PRC, rugby union has an unbroken history in Taiwan, but the Chinese Civil War
and souring of relations with the mainland has meant it was effectively cut off.
The game has a long presence in this part of Asia, especially Japan
and Hong Kong
. Rugby was also played in Shanghai
at an early date, and is played to a high degree in South Korea
. Right now, Taiwan is no. 4 in Asia, behind Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong.
Not unlike South Korea, Taiwanese rugby has grown with the local economy, and has been tied up with corporate interests. Growing economic links with Japan, a major rugby playing nation, have helped the game in Taiwan from the 1960s to the present. Another thing that Taiwan has in common with South Korea is that it has always performed better at rugby sevens
than the fifteen a side game.
During the 70s and 80s, Taiwanese rugby underwent a big development programme, addressing issues such as the shortage of pitches. However, Taiwanese rugby is not short of other resources, and administrators such as Lin Chang Tang have been a great boon.
Traditionally, Taiwan has suffered from a shortage of pitches. Taiwan is considered to be the fourth rugby nation of East Asia, after Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong respectively, although developments in the PRC and Malaysia may change that position.
Notable Taiwanese players include -
is an incredibly complex one, it competes under the name "Chung Hua Taipei or "Chinese Taipei", rather than as either Taiwan
or the Republic of China
.
Because of political issues, with some commentators trying to work out how the entry of the PRC into international rugby would affect Taiwan's position. When the PRC joined the UN
, it resulted in the expulsion of Taiwan.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
(also known as the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, and formerly as Formosa) is a significant sport. For political reasons, they compete as Chinese Taipei. They are currently ranked 61st, and have 3040 registered players.
Governing body
The Taiwanese Rugby Union was founded in 1946, and joined the IRFB in 1986. Concerning its foundation, the efforts of Ke Zhi-Zhang (a.k.a. Ka Shi-Sho:柯子彰 in Japan) cannot be overlooked.History
Rugby in Taiwan goes back to the turn of the 20th century, when the island was known as "Formosa". It has been claimed that it was being played even earlier by European sailors (as in Mainland China, and Japan).Unlike the PRC, rugby union has an unbroken history in Taiwan, but the Chinese Civil War
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
and souring of relations with the mainland has meant it was effectively cut off.
The game has a long presence in this part of Asia, especially Japan
Rugby union in Japan
Rugby union in Japan is a popular sport. Japan has the fourth largest population of rugby union players in the world and the sport has been played there for over a century...
and Hong Kong
Rugby union in Hong Kong
Rugby union in Hong Kong is long established, partly as a result of its being a British colony. In contrast to the People's Republic of China, it has had a continuous existence dating back over a hundred years, and is most notable for its sevens tournaments....
. Rugby was also played in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
at an early date, and is played to a high degree in South Korea
Rugby union in South Korea
Rugby union in South Korea is a minor but growing sport.The game is exclusively played in the southern part of the country: North Korea has little or no rugby union presence.-History:It is unknown when rugby was first played in Korea...
. Right now, Taiwan is no. 4 in Asia, behind Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong.
Not unlike South Korea, Taiwanese rugby has grown with the local economy, and has been tied up with corporate interests. Growing economic links with Japan, a major rugby playing nation, have helped the game in Taiwan from the 1960s to the present. Another thing that Taiwan has in common with South Korea is that it has always performed better at rugby sevens
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
than the fifteen a side game.
During the 70s and 80s, Taiwanese rugby underwent a big development programme, addressing issues such as the shortage of pitches. However, Taiwanese rugby is not short of other resources, and administrators such as Lin Chang Tang have been a great boon.
Traditionally, Taiwan has suffered from a shortage of pitches. Taiwan is considered to be the fourth rugby nation of East Asia, after Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong respectively, although developments in the PRC and Malaysia may change that position.
Notable Taiwanese players include -
- Chae Wei Che
- Chang Chyi Ming
- Tseng Chi Ming
The Chinese Question
Because Taiwan's relationship with the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
is an incredibly complex one, it competes under the name "Chung Hua Taipei or "Chinese Taipei", rather than as either Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
or the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
.
Because of political issues, with some commentators trying to work out how the entry of the PRC into international rugby would affect Taiwan's position. When the PRC joined the UN
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, it resulted in the expulsion of Taiwan.
See also
- Chinese Taipei national rugby union teamChinese Taipei national rugby union teamThe Chinese Taipei national rugby union team represents the Republic of China in international rugby union. Chinese Taipei have yet to make their debut at the Rugby World Cup, but have attempted to qualify since Wales 1999.-History:...
- Chinese Taipei national rugby union team (sevens)Chinese Taipei national rugby union team (sevens)The Chinese Taipei national rugby union sevens is a minor national sevens side. They have competed in the Hong Kong Sevens since the 1980s. In 1989, veteran rugby commentator Bill McLaren mentions them in an article on the Hong Kong Sevens, saying that their team had two Chi-Mings, a Yen-Ching, and...
