-
Help Support The Rugby Forum :
Rugby 08 PS2 Mod
- Thread starter ama1
- Start date
This is fantastic i tried so many times using the .exe and it never booted but using this ISO and using PCSX2 it worked right away, huge ask i know but is there any chance of an updated version with the Lions Game mode added?
Is there any updated version of TRF24 or another mod that works with PS2 even if team from last 5 years.
I find this version supplied here freezes during loading before playing certain teams but otherwise looks great.
Would love to try the mod but PC version doesn't start half the time so would like to use PS2 instead.
I find this version supplied here freezes during loading before playing certain teams but otherwise looks great.
Would love to try the mod but PC version doesn't start half the time so would like to use PS2 instead.
ama1
Academy Player
Here is my latest version (2025 squads).
Obviously, the kits are incorrect until I sort out how to mass convert the .fsh files to .ssh files.
I managed to cut and paste (in a hex editor) the bytes from a modded .bmp image file into an ssh and tested it (and it worked), but
haven't figured out why it worked.
I still have a bit of work to do on the mod (the star players are incorrect).
It is playable though (if you ignore the kits and logos).
I got rid of the representative teams and Oyonnax from the TRF24 mod and have just overwritten all the teams on the original game.
Obviously, the kits are incorrect until I sort out how to mass convert the .fsh files to .ssh files.
I managed to cut and paste (in a hex editor) the bytes from a modded .bmp image file into an ssh and tested it (and it worked), but
haven't figured out why it worked.
I still have a bit of work to do on the mod (the star players are incorrect).
It is playable though (if you ignore the kits and logos).
I got rid of the representative teams and Oyonnax from the TRF24 mod and have just overwritten all the teams on the original game.
ama1
Academy Player
I managed to import modded graphics from a .fsh file into a PS2 .ssh file using a hex editor.
I made it work in EA Graphics Manager.
Hope this can lead to a possible TRF mod on the PS2 version.
I hope Dmitri can find an easier way to do this.
Skip to the bottom if you don't want to know the technical parts.
I tested it out on file: e7f1aa3feada2aea.... which is the Russia - Left Minikit
Using 010 editor, I set the line width to 16 bytes per line.
Getting to understand the PS2's .SSH file structure.
The first two lines of the SSH file contain the file header:
4 bytes (char) - signature // "SHPI" for FSH Files
// "SHPS" or "ShpS" for SSH Files
In this files case it is 53 48 50 53 (SHPS)
4 bytes (uint32 Hex value) - total file size
In this files case it is A0 05 01 00 (Total File Size which converted to decimal =66976 bytes).
4 bytes (uint32) - number of entries (01 00 00 00)
4 bytes (char) - directory ID //
This file displays G359
The next line (Starting at byte 16) displays
6B 72 73 61 70 00 00 00 42 75 79 20 45 52 54 53
when displayed as characters = krsap...Buy ERTS
From Line 32 - byte 111 there should be 00's (80 of them).
The Line starting at byte 112 brings us to the entry type / record id which is a header that looks like this;
02 10 00 01 00 01 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
According to https://web.archive.org/web/2023081...index.php/EA_SSH_FSH_Image#Supported_Programs
This record id relates to the following image data;
2 / 0x02 unknown 8-bit image with 256-colors swapped palette
The next 65536 bytes are our raw image file. (From byte 112 through to byte 65663 )
Byte 65664 is another header which looks like this
21 10 04 00 00 01 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 20 00 00
This is the header for our 256 color palette that goes along with our raw image file.
33 / 0x21 unknown 256-colors palette
The next 1024 bytes are our palette data.
Byte 66704 is the header for the EA Metal.bin attachment
69 00 01 00 F0 00 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
I did not modify this data and left it as it is.
The short version.
I managed to convert a .fsh file to a .ssh file by:
1.) Opening a modded .fsh file from the TRF24 mod.
2.) Deleted the first two lines (32 bytes) of the .fsh file.
3.) Opened the corresponding ps2 .ssh file.
4.) Copied the first 7 lines (112 bytes).
5.) Pasted (inserted) at the top of the .fsh file.
6.) Corrected the overall file size in hex (bytes 5 - 8).
7.) Saved the file as .ssh
Tried to change the format from an 8 bit image with 256 color palette to a DXT1 file.
The graphics did not show on the PS2. Maybe because I used the wrong image format.
I can't figure out how to create a raw image and 1024 byte pallette from a .bmp or .png that
is compatible with the PS2.
I just dont want to muck around with the PS2's raw image + 256 color palettes and want to straight convert a .fsh to .ssh
I made it work in EA Graphics Manager.
Hope this can lead to a possible TRF mod on the PS2 version.
I hope Dmitri can find an easier way to do this.
Skip to the bottom if you don't want to know the technical parts.
I tested it out on file: e7f1aa3feada2aea.... which is the Russia - Left Minikit
Using 010 editor, I set the line width to 16 bytes per line.
Getting to understand the PS2's .SSH file structure.
The first two lines of the SSH file contain the file header:
4 bytes (char) - signature // "SHPI" for FSH Files
// "SHPS" or "ShpS" for SSH Files
In this files case it is 53 48 50 53 (SHPS)
4 bytes (uint32 Hex value) - total file size
In this files case it is A0 05 01 00 (Total File Size which converted to decimal =66976 bytes).
4 bytes (uint32) - number of entries (01 00 00 00)
4 bytes (char) - directory ID //
This file displays G359
The next line (Starting at byte 16) displays
6B 72 73 61 70 00 00 00 42 75 79 20 45 52 54 53
when displayed as characters = krsap...Buy ERTS
From Line 32 - byte 111 there should be 00's (80 of them).
The Line starting at byte 112 brings us to the entry type / record id which is a header that looks like this;
02 10 00 01 00 01 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
According to https://web.archive.org/web/2023081...index.php/EA_SSH_FSH_Image#Supported_Programs
This record id relates to the following image data;
2 / 0x02 unknown 8-bit image with 256-colors swapped palette
The next 65536 bytes are our raw image file. (From byte 112 through to byte 65663 )
Byte 65664 is another header which looks like this
21 10 04 00 00 01 01 00 00 01 00 00 00 20 00 00
This is the header for our 256 color palette that goes along with our raw image file.
33 / 0x21 unknown 256-colors palette
The next 1024 bytes are our palette data.
Byte 66704 is the header for the EA Metal.bin attachment
69 00 01 00 F0 00 10 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
I did not modify this data and left it as it is.
The short version.
I managed to convert a .fsh file to a .ssh file by:
1.) Opening a modded .fsh file from the TRF24 mod.
2.) Deleted the first two lines (32 bytes) of the .fsh file.
3.) Opened the corresponding ps2 .ssh file.
4.) Copied the first 7 lines (112 bytes).
5.) Pasted (inserted) at the top of the .fsh file.
6.) Corrected the overall file size in hex (bytes 5 - 8).
7.) Saved the file as .ssh
Tried to change the format from an 8 bit image with 256 color palette to a DXT1 file.
The graphics did not show on the PS2. Maybe because I used the wrong image format.
I can't figure out how to create a raw image and 1024 byte pallette from a .bmp or .png that
is compatible with the PS2.
I just dont want to muck around with the PS2's raw image + 256 color palettes and want to straight convert a .fsh to .ssh
Last edited:
jordan7martin
Academy Player
- Joined
- May 25, 2025
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi ama1,
Firstly, I would just like to say thank you for giving all of us rugby fans a modified Rugby 08 game that is worth playing!!!
I'm sure I speak on behalf of a lot of people when I say that your efforts are very appreciated! After skim reading a few threads, it seems like @jim546 is also instrumental in helping with your continuous mods over the years, so shoutout to him as well!
I'm obviously looking forward to your next PS2 TRF25 iso revision with updated kits, etc. as I definitely enjoy playing the PS2 version over the PC version (tried both recently). My mates and I are loving playing with all the current players and teams. We're obviously very happy we stumbled across your mod on this platform, as there really is no other rugby game that has ever come close to the likes of Rugby 08.
Just a quick one, I noticed the PS2 TRF25 iso freezes when playing any games at the State Marcel-Michelin. This has unfortunately pulled the brakes on my World League campaign... Not sure if you're able to fix this?
Also, let me know if you would like me to raise any other bugs I notice while playing, as I'm jamming religiously atm, lol.
I'm currently using PCSX2 as my emulator and it's working really well!
Looking forward to hearing from you mate! Cheers!
Firstly, I would just like to say thank you for giving all of us rugby fans a modified Rugby 08 game that is worth playing!!!
I'm sure I speak on behalf of a lot of people when I say that your efforts are very appreciated! After skim reading a few threads, it seems like @jim546 is also instrumental in helping with your continuous mods over the years, so shoutout to him as well!
I'm obviously looking forward to your next PS2 TRF25 iso revision with updated kits, etc. as I definitely enjoy playing the PS2 version over the PC version (tried both recently). My mates and I are loving playing with all the current players and teams. We're obviously very happy we stumbled across your mod on this platform, as there really is no other rugby game that has ever come close to the likes of Rugby 08.
Just a quick one, I noticed the PS2 TRF25 iso freezes when playing any games at the State Marcel-Michelin. This has unfortunately pulled the brakes on my World League campaign... Not sure if you're able to fix this?
Also, let me know if you would like me to raise any other bugs I notice while playing, as I'm jamming religiously atm, lol.
I'm currently using PCSX2 as my emulator and it's working really well!
Looking forward to hearing from you mate! Cheers!
ama1
Academy Player
Thanks Jordan,
I'm still working on this project, so hopefully will get some updates done in the next month or so.
RE: the crashing stadium bug - I think its because the stadium refers to either graphics or a stadium id that does not exist in the original version.
I tried adding the modded files from the TRF24 patch and I think that's whats causing the crash.
I can just change the stadium id to a working French stadium as a quick fix.
As a side note, I managed to generate a new roster that technically shouldn't crash (as I just replaced all the teams in the existing game).
This means, some of the lower placed French and international teams have been cut.
I'm still working on this project, so hopefully will get some updates done in the next month or so.
RE: the crashing stadium bug - I think its because the stadium refers to either graphics or a stadium id that does not exist in the original version.
I tried adding the modded files from the TRF24 patch and I think that's whats causing the crash.
I can just change the stadium id to a working French stadium as a quick fix.
As a side note, I managed to generate a new roster that technically shouldn't crash (as I just replaced all the teams in the existing game).
This means, some of the lower placed French and international teams have been cut.
jordan7martin
Academy Player
- Joined
- May 25, 2025
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
If it’s not much of a hassle, then I would really appreciate it, thanks! Will wait for the revised iso and any updates to be uploaded here.
Noted regarding the lower French teams, thanks!
Also, side question, was there a reason for ‘capping’ all players’ sprint speed to max. 80? I noticed this when seeing Kolbe and Arendse’s (and most wingers) overall rating around 77- obviously a lot lower than TRF24. Was it to ensure players weren’t OP or did the AI just generate like that?
Noted regarding the lower French teams, thanks!
Also, side question, was there a reason for ‘capping’ all players’ sprint speed to max. 80? I noticed this when seeing Kolbe and Arendse’s (and most wingers) overall rating around 77- obviously a lot lower than TRF24. Was it to ensure players weren’t OP or did the AI just generate like that?
ama1
Academy Player
Re: Speed ratings, I was just trying different combinations to see if it would make the AI attack and defend better.
I set the defence and attack for all players at 99 and noticed that the defensive line speed increases and the AI attack is a bit quicker.
Normally, the AI attacks too deep - which is often predictable and too easy.
It got a bit glitchy with quicker / agile players, who become OP and impossible to tackle as they'd often diagonal run - so I dropped their ratings a bit.
I will increase them in the TRF25 update.
If you're keen to try World League with an updated PS2 roster (albeit with AI generated players in every team) I have uploaded this iso.
I set the defence and attack for all players at 99 and noticed that the defensive line speed increases and the AI attack is a bit quicker.
Normally, the AI attacks too deep - which is often predictable and too easy.
It got a bit glitchy with quicker / agile players, who become OP and impossible to tackle as they'd often diagonal run - so I dropped their ratings a bit.
I will increase them in the TRF25 update.
If you're keen to try World League with an updated PS2 roster (albeit with AI generated players in every team) I have uploaded this iso.
ama1
Academy Player
Here's my current WIP. Hope it fixes a few of the crashing issues.
jordan7martin
Academy Player
- Joined
- May 25, 2025
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
Thanks for this. But unfortunately it’s not working on my side… every time I try start any game it freezes while loading. Not sure if I’m the only only experiencing this
ama1
Academy Player
Forgot to mention, If you're using PCSX2, try going into squad management and then reset all rosters
jordan7martin
Academy Player
- Joined
- May 25, 2025
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
Just tried doing that now, but still freezing every time…
ama1
Academy Player
Today, Batholomiejduda released a new version of EA-Graphics-Manager,
github.com
This tool allows us to import into .ssh files with image formats 1-5. This will allow us to change the minikits, logos, flags, banners and balls.
The kits are image format 14, so hopefully he adds that functionality in the near future.
GitHub - bartlomiejduda/EA-Graphics-Manager: Program for handling FSH, SSH, XSH, PSH, GSH, ASH, QFS and MSH files from EA games
Program for handling FSH, SSH, XSH, PSH, GSH, ASH, QFS and MSH files from EA games - bartlomiejduda/EA-Graphics-Manager
github.com
This tool allows us to import into .ssh files with image formats 1-5. This will allow us to change the minikits, logos, flags, banners and balls.
The kits are image format 14, so hopefully he adds that functionality in the near future.
ama1
Academy Player
I reuploaded the TRF25.iso
and confirmed it is working now. Added a few graphics changes to the game (due to the new EA Graphics Manager update).
and confirmed it is working now. Added a few graphics changes to the game (due to the new EA Graphics Manager update).
RealFlyHalf
Academy Player
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2025
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi ama1, games freezes at the loading screen no matter what the game mode is, not sure if there's so thing I'm doing wrong
Thanks for your efforts
