Rugby 2005 (XBOX, PS2, PC)

Herald rating: * * * *

Despite the hype when games' publisher Electronic Arts brought out Rugby 2004, its maiden title modelled on our national sport, gamers came away mildly disappointed.

They didn't like the artificial intelligence, the scenery, the game controls. Some said it looked unfinished and rushed.

I've just been playing Rugby 2004 and Rugby 2005 back-to-back and the new version is much better. It is probably the game that should have been put out originally.

What is more apparent is EA's desire for you to learn the rules of the game you are playing.

Kiwi commentator and former All Black Murray Mexted, directs a cursory once-over of the basics. Then you can enter Rugby 101, a more in-depth look at the moves and strategies available. Practice mode lets you perfect your line-out throws, goal kicks, tackles and passes.

You will still have to work at the controls. For a few games you will be sprinting instead of passing the ball, diving from the front of the line-out rather than the back. I spent most of the time during the first games off-side.

But after a few one-off games you will get to know the controller pretty well, feeling instinctively for the right buttons.

Getting to that stage takes perseverance and, if the players, stadiums and commentators weren't familiar, it would be easy to lose interest. I guess that is why I only ever last a half-hour playing NFL. I never have a clue about what is going on and don't feel inclined to learn.

It is unlikely EA will ever spend as much money on Rugby as its NFL or Nascar franchises, but they seemed to have splashed out more on Rugby 2005 than its previous incarnation.

Everything looks and sounds better from the pre- and after-match shots of the players to the sound of muddy bodies colliding in tackles. The digitally recreated All Black haka is particularly impressive.

When it comes to uniforms and player characteristics, you will pick out Carlos Spencer and Justin Marshall, though some of the other characterisations are a bit bland.

A customise feature similar to, but not as advanced as, that in EA's Tiger Woods golfing game, lets you tweak the features of created players.

Elsewhere, Rugby 2005 has the depth that mirroring reality demands. There are 61 teams and all the main tournaments are replicated, from the Super 12 and Tri-Nations to the World Championship and Lions tour. People who love rugby put this title together and their efforts show through.

* $100