1
Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge (Sidhe, Tru Blu Entertainment) – 2011:
ADVERTISEMENT
This was the first arrival of rugby onto the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 consoles. It was met with a largely positive reception with the fluid gameplay, in particular, being highly praised. The game was clearly short on detail, however, many of the player graphics were well off the desired effect and certain refereeing decisions gave the wrong outcome.
Rugby World Cup 2011 (HB Studios, 505 Games) – 2011
Opposed to the simulation-style game released the same year, this title was much more styled as an arcade game. It was designed to be easy pick-up-and-play that used much of the gameplay style used in EA Sports ‘Rugby’ series. The biggest issue this game had was the lack of game modes and expansion, which made the full price hard to justify.
Rugby Challenge 2: The Lions Tour Edition (Sidhe, Tru Blu Entertainment) – 2013
A marginal advancement on the previous game, this sequel received largely negative reviews, however, the career mode and the inclusion of the British and Irish Lions tour were seen as a major improvement.
Rugby 15 (HB Studios, Bigben Interactive/Maximum Games) – 2014
Not much needs to be said about this game, other than IGN referring to it as an “utter disaster” and Official Xbox Magazine describing it as “easily the worst sports game we’ve played.”
Rugby World Cup 2015 (HB Studios, Bigben Interactive/Plug In Digital) – 2015
Similar to the previous world cup game, this edition was seen to be very bare in terms of actual gameplay features, and only a minor improvement on the previous year’s Rugby 2015 title.
Rugby Challenge 3 (Wicked Witch Software, Tru Blu Entertainment) – 2016
This was the third instalment in the series, with updated graphics for the new generation of consoles released at the time.
It made a significant step forward with the introduction of Rugby Sevens into the franchise for the first time, however, this edition no longer had licences for the Top 14 or the Pro 12.
Rugby 18 (Eko Software, Bigben Interactive) – 2017
ADVERTISEMENT
Described by Games Radar as a ”woefully inadequate representation of one of the world’s most popular sports”, this was one title that did not live up to expectations. Despite the clear efforts to improve graphics and provide a hugely improved amount of licences, this game had gameplay levels that you would find disappointing on a Nintendo GameCube.
Rugby 20 (Eko Software, Nacon) – 2022
An improved game on its predecessor, Rugby 20 introduced the Six Nations Championship which should have given players hours of excitement if it weren’t for the severe lack of international licensing.
Rugby Challenge 4 (Wicked Witch Software, Tru Blu Entertainment) – 2020
This title was delayed for many months due to the Coronavirus pandemic, so when it was finally released it was met with much anticipation. The anticipation was partially rewarded with much-improved player graphics and licensing, but very much let down with the gameplay being essentially a copy and paste from the previous model.
Rugby 22 (Eko Software, Nacon) – 2022
Widely regarded as the most complete rugby game we’ve seen since 2008. Despite missing some major licenses, Rugby 2022 provides the most lifelike game of rugby we have seen on consoles. The ability to control pods to build phases leads to some very satisfying scores.
There are of course glitches and issues that you would expect without the backing of a big budget you may get from the likes of EA Sports, but certainly an improvement on what we’ve seen before.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
I question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to comments