Australians are mad about sport. They spend amazing amounts of time discussing various team sports and knowing a little about what is played where can impress the locals. The main team sports in Australia are Australian Rules Football (Auzzie Rules), Rugby League, Rugby Union, Cricket and Netball. Soccer or Football as it is known in most of the world has been growing rapidly since the success of the Socceroos in the world cup in 2006. Cricket is played in summer and the others are winter sports. There is also a division in regions when it comes to Winter Sports.
Australian Rules is much more common in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. It is played with an egg shaped ball on a oval shaped field and the objective is to kick the ball through two poles to get 6 points or poles out from these 2 to get 1 point. Popular teams include The Adelaide Crows, West Coast Eagles, Collingwood Magpies and Saint Kilda.
Rugby League and Union are most popular in New South Wales and Queensland. Rugby League and Union are a little different bit basically it is also played with a egg shaped ball but on a rectangular shaped field and the intention is to carry the ball to the opponents end and place it over the line. Popular Teams in Rugby League are the Brisbane Broncos, Newcastle Knights , Parramatta Eels, St George and Manly. Melbourne also have a team. Popular teams in Rugby Union are the NSW Waratahs, Queensland Reds and the national side, The Wallabies who are Arch rivals with the All Blacks >from New Zealand.
Netball is very popular with Women all over Australia is extremely competitive in the Netball playing world.
Other Team Sports such as Basketball, Grass Hockey, Water Polo, Baseball, American Football are also popular but do not attract as major interest as the others.
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