The most successful rugby team in the world is the New Zealand All Blacks. They have achieved three Rugby World Cups and have a win-rate of more than 75%, something no other team can say. But how has a nation of just 4.8 million people mastered an entire sport?
Rugby is a rough game. Players wear little to no protective gear as they fight to bring the ball past the goal line. A match involves two teams and lasts 80 minutes. Each 15-player team can run and kick the ball forward, but when passing to teammates, a player can only pass the ball backward.
New Zealand’s winning streak began in 1903 with its first international game against Australia. From there, they gained winning momentum, and in 1905, they were invited on a tour of Europe and North America. At each match, they proved resilient, dedicated, and determined to defeat their opponent. The team achieved sporting fame by winning all but one of their 35 matches—a 0-3 loss in the game against Wales in Cardiff.
It was during this tour that the All Blacks name emerged. Although opinions differ, the widely accepted view is that the name comes from their uniform of black shorts and jersey with a silver fern on the chest. This jersey has inspired deep respect, and those who wear it are admired and idolized. The Maori believe the jersey embodies the spirit of the team and call it taonga (TAA-ong-uh), a sacred object. It symbolizes a New Zealander’s opportunity to become the best in the world.
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Bu hikaye Faces - The Magazine of People, Places and Cultures for Kids dergisinin November/December 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Animal Central
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ME OH-MAYA!
The Maya are groups of people who live in parts of Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Their ancestors created a great society. At its peak, from 600-900 C.E., the Maya civilization was more advanced than its neighbors in the Americas.
Playing Games Honduras-style
Would you play the same games in Honduras that you do in the United States? You might. Children in Honduras enjoy many of the same games North Americans do. They go fishing and shoot baskets. They play sandlot baseball—called bate (BAH tay). They fly kites and ride bikes. Their parents may go horseback riding or play golf or tennis.
LIVING A LONG LIFE IN THE Blue Zone
Most people would like to live as long a life as possible. No one really knows why some people live longer than others, but did you know that where you live can play a big part in how many years you’ll be alive? If you live in a Blue Zone, chances are that you will live much longer than people in other parts of the world.
ATTENTION WORLD: Belize Saves Their Coral Reef
Sea turtles float in clear waters, colorful corals hug the ocean floor, and aquatic animals glide among the mangrove roots. Welcome to the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, the second-largest coral reef in the world (Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is number one). Several years ago, this reef was in crisis, heading toward destruction. But the people of Belize fought back to save their reef’s health.
The Panama Canal
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This is Central America!
It’s time to visit Central America. But first, it helps to know exactly where Central America is. Despite its name, it is the southernmost part of North America, which can seem a little confusing. It makes up most of the isthmus dividing the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger landmasses and has water on both sides.
