Rugby Union
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Rugby Union National Team Names
Many rugby teams from around the world have another name by which they are more well known. These are not always official names, and some national teams have more than one nickname. I have tried to find the most commonly used nickname, and included others if known. As you can see, these nicknames are commonly derived from the color of their playing strip or country flag, or an animal associated with the country. If you have any corrections or additions, please let me know.
| Team | Nickname | notes |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Los Pumas (Pumas) | The Argentina team is called Los Pumas because of the animal depicted as the team's emblem. However, that animal is actually a jaguar (ayaguareté) and not a puma! |
| Australia | Wallabies | a small kangaroo |
| Canada | Canucks |
Named for a slang term for Canadians ( or Maple Leafs?) |
Côte D'Ivoire |
Les Éléphants | |
| England | Red and Whites | The Red and Whites is not a commonly used name. It comes from the red and white playing strip. Also the Roses? |
| Fiji | Bati (The Warriors)/Flying Fijians | |
| France | les bleus | France's team is also called les bleus (the blues) becasue of the colour of their uniform. Also the cockerels? |
| Georgia | The Lelos | The name comes from lelo, an indigenous Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try". One standard cheer of Georgian rugby union fans is Lelo, Lelo, Sakartvelo (Try, Try, Georgia). |
| Ireland | - | Ireland do not commonly use a nickname |
| Italy | Azzurri | the same as their football (soccer) team and other Italian teams, a reference to their jersey colour |
| Japan | The Brave Blossoms | Named after their emblem. The team was previously called the 'Cherry Blossoms'. |
| Namibia | Welwitschias | The Welwitschias is a plant which is considered a living fossil and features on the country's coat of arms. (The team is aka Biltongboere). |
| New Zealand | All Blacks | |
| Portugal |
Os Lobos | meaning The Wolves |
| Romania | Oaks | Named for their emblem. |
| Russia | Bears | |
| Samoa (Western Samoa) | Manu Samoa | Manu Samoa' is the name of a famous Samoan chief some 10 generations ago. |
| Scotland | - | Scotland do not commonly use a nickname |
| South Africa | Springboks | Also called Boks, or more correctly the Sprinbokke, or Bokke |
| Spain | El XV Del León | Named for the lion on their emblem. |
| Tonga | 'Ikale Tahi | Sea Eagles |
| Uruguay | Los Teros | Named for their emblem. |
| USA | The Eagles | Named for their emblem and national symbol |
| Wales | Dragons | |
| Zimbabwe |
The Sables |
Notes
- Scotland and Ireland do not commonly use a nickname.
- The British & Irish Lions is not a national team.