According to the Rugby Union Laws, a match is two 40-minute halves with a 10-minute half time. The team has up to a maximum of 15 players on the field, with up to seven substitute players. The captains toss for the right to kick off to begin the game. After the kick off, any player who is on-side can pick up the ball and run with it, throw or kick to another player to attempt to score in the opponents in-goal. Any player from the opposing team can bring down the player with the ball by shoving, grabbing or tackling.

Try: When a player grounds the ball in the opponent's in-goal. 5 points

Conversion Goal: An opportunity for the scoring team to convert their 5 points to 7 points. It may be a place kick or a drop kick over the bar and between the goal posts. 2 points

Penalty Goal: A penalty goal is scored by kicking the ball between the opponent's goal posts. 3 points

Drop Goal: Scored during field-of-play, the goal can only be won by bouncing the ball on the ground before kicking it through the opponent's goal posts. 3 points

Back to top...