Underwater Rugby: the greatest sport you've never heard of

RNZ News

12-05-2025

Have you ever asked yourself: what would rugby look like if it was played in a pool? If the answer is yes, hold your breath for some good news. Underwater Rugby a very much a real sport, with a team from Auckland heading to the Australian National Championships this weekend in Brisbane.
There's no scrums, lineouts or goal kicking, but Underwater Rugby does share the contact, fitness levels and camaraderie found in the more well-known, land-based version of the sport.
"The main thing is that everyone's going for the ball," said Tim Rickards, a member of the Auckland Underwater Rugby Club, who has a background in free diving and pointed out that a contact sport in water is not as dangerous as it sounds.
"So once you let it go, everyone stops hassling you. When you think you need to breathe, you've probably got another 20 seconds before you actually have to…we've never had a problem with people blacking out in the water."
Underwater Rugby is a sport that requires fitness, physicality and spacial awareness.
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Goals are scored by putting a ball (filled with saltwater to decrease buoyancy) into baskets at either end of the pool, which vary in depths due to whatever is available but generally around four metres. Being able to hold your breath is a key component, as well as special awareness.
"I think Underwater Rugby is the coolest sport because it's truly a 360 degree environment," said Samantha Smith, one of several female players.
"You have to know what's coming above, below and side to side…you get the joy of playing in a really deep pool. Four metres down, six on each team, you work together in tandem to get the ball."
Because of the need for players to return to the surface to get a fresh lungful of air, there are two players in each position. The ability to react by your positional partner is crucial, as the window that opens when players surface and dive is when goals are usually scored.
"It takes a while to work out," said Leandro Gandara, who has been playing for a year.
"There's not very hard contact, the water makes it soft, and it slows you down. It's very strategic."
The Auckland Underwater Rugby Club.
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Despite being fairly unknown outside those who play it, Underwater Rugby does have quite a long history. It was developed in the 1960s and while played predominantly in Europe, it has spread to South America and Australasia. Auckland coach Oscar Garcia is a native of Colombia, where the sport is relatively popular, and is keen for more people to give it a go.
"We welcome anyone of all experience levels, we have had people join with no swimming experience whatsoever. I think the main part is not to be afraid of the contact, it is full contact but it's quite safe. You have the water as a sort of protection…being willing to learn is the main thing," he said.
The Auckland team will head to Brisbane with a feeling of the unknown, given that it will be their first tournament together.
"As coach I'm very excited, it's going to be a tough one because it will be the international [players] of Australia. The tournament will be three days, we will do our best and it will be tough one and we have to train a lot."