FWIW - I don't get it either. I put on the television yesterday and up popped the Rugby match. Having visited New Zealand in 2000, I instantly recognized the "All Blacks" but that was about it. While in NZ and taking a boat tour of Milford Sound, I struck up a conversation with a guy from the UK.
I asked if he could explain Rugby to me and while it may have made sense at time, it didn't help me yesterday. Just before "halftime" (is that the proper term?), a big MÄori player on NZ was penalized for something, told to sit down for 10 minutes and a player on South Africa was allowed to kick the ball through the uprights to make it 12 - 7 in favor of RSA.
I just checked and was surprised to see that NZ came back and won 20 - 18 to advance to the final. Since they are the only team I know, I guess I'm rooting for them!
Gerry