Comparison of rugby league and rugby union Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. The same perceived class barrier as exists between the two games in England also occurs in these states, fostered by rugby union's prominence and support at private schools. In New Zealand, rugby league is still considered to be a lower class game by many, or a game for "westies" referring to lower class western suburbs of Auckland and more recently the poorer southern Auckland where the game is popular. It is also popular on the West Coast of New Zealand. In France, rugby union is widely played and has a strong tradition in
Rugby union in Lithuania Rugby union in Lithuania Rugby union in Lithuania is a minor but growing sport. The Lithuanian Rugby Federation was founded in 1961 and joined the IRB in 1992 after Lithuanian had regained its independence. Although the union was formed in the 1960s, it was not considered a full-fledged national union until after the breakup of the USSR. Rugby union arrived in Lithuania in the 1960s. The first domestic game was played in 1961. Lithuania was never a stronghold of rugby in the USSR. The game was mainly played in Russia and Georgia. In 1949 rugby union was forbidden in the