Rugby Football History All Blacks Barbarians Canada British & Irish Lions Ireland Scotland Springboks USA Wales Wallabies Introduction In early rugby as played at rugby school, the only scores came from goals and there was no points value associated with scoring. The 1845 rules stated that in order to take a punt at goal (this had to be a 'place kick' not a' drop kick') a "TRY at goal" had to be earned by touching the ball down between the posts. The ball was then "punted" over the bar and between the posts without touching the dress or person of any player and in the face of onrushing defenders. The 1862 rules provide a detailed description of the complexities regarding touching down and scoring the goal. 1871 The first RFU laws state that 'A match shall be decided by a majority of goals only'. March 1875 a proposal for a points scoring system was rejected, as was a proposal that three tries should equal one goal. November 1875 the law was modified to 'A match shall be decided by a majority of goals, but if the number of goals is equal or no goals be kicked, by a majority of tries'.

1876 Cheltenham College adopted RFU rules but still continued to use their own points based scoring system (they referred to points as rouges). 1877 'When a goal is kicked from a try, only the goal is scored'. 1881 & 1882 Proposals were made for the RFU to introduce a points based scoring system: 1881 (rejected):-"A match shall be decided by majority of points, which are calculated as follows - a touchdown, a touch in goal and a dead-ball all equal in value and each count one point; a try counts 4 points, and a goal kicked from a try 12 points or equal to three tries, and a goal dropped or kicked from the field of play 8 points or two tries.

When a goal is kicked from a try the goal only is scored." 1882 (rejected):- "A match shall be decided by points as under: - A goal direct from a place kick from a try shall count 8 pts; A goal dropped from the field of play, 6 pts; A goal from a flying kick 4 points; a try 4 points; a touchdown, a dead ball, or a touch in goal, 1 point each. The team obtaining a majority of four more points to be declared the winner. Any less majority than 4 points to count as a drawn game." Prior to 1886 various clubs assigned their own points system. The practice of Touching down the ball behind your own goal line was awarded a Point, sometimes referred to as the "Minor Point" or "Rouge". This should not be confused with the Cheltenham scoring system which referred to points in general as rouges. Many football annuals of this vintage will show scores consisting of Goals, Tries and Minor points (rouges). Although there was no generally accepted scoring system which contained the minor point (rouge) some unions did adopt it.

But in 1886 a pattern favoured at Cheltenham School was adopted by the RFU, whereby points were scored for a try, a conversion goal and a dropped goal. 1886 (accepted):-"A match shall be decided by a majority of points, a goal shall equal three points, and a try one point. If the number of points be equal, or no goal kicked or try obtained, the match shall be drawn. Where a goal is kicked from a try the goal only is scored." Later penalty kicks were introduced, allowing teams disadvantaged by illegal play to kick for goal and score points if successful. October 1888 "Fair catch" (mark) introduced. Laws amended to introduce 2nd type of goal (of lesser value). 'A match shall be decided by a majority of points. A goal shall equal 3 points, with the exception of a goal kicked from a kick awarded by way of penalty, which shall equal 2 points, and a try 1 point. If the number of points is equal or no goals be kicked or try obtained, the match shall be drawn.

When a goal is kicked from a try, the goal only is scored.' September 1891 The IRFB responsible for: 'A match shall be decided by a majority of points. A try shall equal 2 points, a penalty goal 3 points, a goal from a try (the try not also to count) 5 points. Any other goal shall equal 4 points. If the number of points is equal or no goal is kicked or try obtained, the match shall be drawn.' March 1893 RFU & WRU raise try from two to three points. The value of the conversion is also changed from three to two points, meaning that the value of a converted try remains five points. IRFB adopt this scheme the following year. March 1905 Field goal is abolished. 'A try equals 3 points. A goal from a try (in which case the try shall not count) equals 5 points. A dropped goal (except from a mark or penalty kick) equals 4 points. Goal from a mark or penalty kick equals 3 points.' A field goal was scored when the ball was kicked between the posts during open play. March 1948 'A try 3 points.

A goal from a try (in which case the try shall not count) 5 points. A goal from a free kick or penalty kick 3 points. A dropped goal otherwise obtained 3 points.' 1958/59 - It never ceases to amaze me how many different versions of the 'history of scoring' there seem to be in various books etc. The above table represents my current understanding. The main problems associated with recording the history of scoring results primarily from the fact that each home union originally had its own laws although the RFU's laws were usually adopted, there was no International Board until 1890 and the IB's laws were not used for non-internationals until 1930. See laws NB. In the table above I've shown the points for a try/conversion as accumulative, this is for ease of comparison reasons. Strictly speaking a separate score for a goal after the try was scored was not introduced by the IB until 1979 and prior to that the 'goal from a try' substituted any points awarded for the try itself e.g.

using that method you would show 1891-1892 as 2 points for a try and 5 points for the conversion goal (converted try would be worth 5 points. Notes: 1. In June 1871, the first RFU law stated that a game would be decided by the number of 'goals' scored only. 2. In March 1875, a proposal for a points scoring system and another that three tries should equal a goal were rejected. 3. In November 1875, a game was decided by whichever team scored the most goals and if that was equal, trys. In 1877 this was modified so that if a try was converted to a goal then it was only counted as a goal. 4. In October 1886, a points system was introduced which followed the Cheltenham college system. 3 for a goal and 1 for a try. But if a try was converted, 3 points were awarded for the conversion (goal) which replaced the 1 point awarded for the try i.e. the team scored 1 point for a try and 3 for a converted try (goal).

In the table above I've shown the points as accumulative e.g. 1886 a converted try (goal) = 3 points (1 + 2). 5. Fair catch or mark introduced in 1888. 6. In 1888, a free kick awarded as a penalty for off-side could be made into a goal. 7. The International Board in 1889 (which England had not yet joined) stated that a goal from a try was awarded 4 points, a dropped goal or one from a fair catch 3 points and a try 2 points.They declined to award any points for a penalty goal. The dispute between England and the IB was referred to arbitrators who decided the Laws then existing in England should be adopted for that year, with the exception that there should be no penalty of a free kick if the ball was knocked forward from a throw in from touch. England then joined the IB (1890) so things got a little less complicated for internationals from that point onwards. 8. Scotland proposed in 1900 that the penalty goal should only equal 2 points but the proposal was rejected. 9.

The change of a try from 2 to 3 was made by the RFU and the Welsh union in 1893 but the IRB adopted it in 1894. 10. In 1905, England proposed and Wales supported that the points for a drop goal be reduced but this was rejected by Scotland and Ireland and so it was rejected. 11. Field goals, which started at 3 points were changed to 4 points and stayed at that value for nearly 60 years (1891 to 1948), before finally being reduced by a point. 12. A try was increased by the IRFB to 4 points for a trial period of 2 years in the Northern hemisphere and was formally adopted in 1973. 13. Try also includes the 'penalty try' where a try is awarded if unfair play by the defending side avoided an almost certain try (same value as try). 14. The goal from mark ceased to exist when the free-kick clause was introduced 1977-78.

Goals from marks were rare but valid scoring actions counting for three points until the free-kick clause was introduced to the Laws in September 1977. Before that date a mark for a fair catch could be made anywhere on the field. The player making the catch could opt to kick a goal. Since 1977 a mark can only be claimed by a defender inside his 22, with a free kick to follow. So even if a kicker had the distance to land a goal from his 22, it would not count. Some definitions: Try. When an attacking player is first to ground the ball in the opponents’ in-goal, a try is scored. Penalty Try. If a player would probably have scored a try but for foul play by an opponent, a penalty try is awarded between the goal posts. Originally included in the laws in 1888. Conversion Goal. When a player scores a try it gives the player’s team the right to attempt to score a goal by taking a kick at goal; this also applies to a penalty try. This kick is a conversion kick: a conversion kick can be a place kick or a drop-kick. Penalty Goal.

A player scores a penalty goal by kicking a goal from a penalty kick. Dropped Goal. A player scores a dropped goal by kicking a goal from a drop-kick in general play. The team awarded a free kick cannot score a dropped goal until the ball next becomes dead, or until an opponent has played or touched it, or has tackled the ball-carrier. This restriction applies also to a scrum taken instead of a free kick. BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Laws & Equipment | Five points for a try Five points for a try A try is the most exciting way of scoring in rugby union. They are worth five points - the maximum number of points you can score in one go in rugby union. A try is scored when a player touches the ball down inside the opposition's in-goal area between the try line and dead ball line. This area includes the goal-line itself (but not the side or backlines) and the posts (even if the part of the post touched is not over the goal-line). A player must either Touch the ground with the ball - the player touches the ground with the ball while holding it in the hand or arms. No downward pressure is required.

Press down on the ball - if the ball is on the ground in the in-goal area the player must apply downward pressure "with a hand or hands, arm or arms, or the front of the body from waist to neck inclusive". It is quite often hard to tell if downward pressure has been applied if the player is chasing a bouncing ball. In international matches, the referee can refer the decision to a colleague in the stands who can watch a television replay. If a defensive player touches the ball first, the referee will award a 22-metre drop out (unless the defensive player carried or threw the ball into the in-goal area in the first place, in which case a five-metre scrum is awarded, with the feed awarded to the attacking side). The referee can award a penalty try (five points) if a player would probably have scored a try but for foul play by an opponent. The try is said to have been scored between the posts (so the conversion kick is taken directly in front of goal). If a player is tackled short of the goal-line, but can still reach over to ground the ball, or if their momentum carries them over, a try is awarded.

PUSHOVER TRY If a scrum or ruck is pushed into the in-goal, an attacking player may legally ground the ball as soon as the ball reaches or crosses the goal-line and a pushover try is scored. Rugby tries - how and where you score tries in rugby Rugby tries When you play rugby you get most points for rugby tries. Be confident you know how and where you score tries and help get extra points for conversions. Tries Win games Playing in a rugby game is great fun. Winning isn't everything,... especially in rugby - but it is a great feeling to be on the winning side! The aim of each team is to win the game by scoring more points than the opposing team. The best and most exciting way to score is to be awarded a try. It's also known as scoring a try. It`s so exciting some players get "white line fever". It means they get so fixated on getting the ball over the goal line they don`t take options that are best for the team and maybe bomb the chance of a try altogether! You get 5 points when you score a try. How you score them You score a try when you move the ball into the in-goal of the other team and "ground" the ball.

That is the only place a try is scored. If you ground the ball in your own ingoal area it is not a try. There is no such thing as an "own try" There are many ways of moving the ball into the in-goal area. You can do it either by carrying it after breaking through the defence, maybe using some of your skills in rugby passing. Rugby sidesteps are also good for breaking through the opposition defences. Or you can kick it A number of kicks which might be used are... the up and under - a very high kick the rolling grubber kick or the bouncing grubber kick a chip kick chased by the kicker or other players Remember to build all your catching, passing and kicking skills. Visit the skills pages to find out how. Grounding the ball for a try There are only two ways of grounding the ball.

A player holding the ball in one or both hands or one or both arms, touches the ball on the playing surface in the area called 'in-goal' The rugby ball, already on the ground in the in-goal area receives downward pressure from a player's hand or hands, arm or arms or the front of the body from neck to waist inclusive "Converting" When a try has been scored, two (2) additional points can be scored by kicking the ball so that it goes both over the bar and between the uprights of the goalposts. You normaly use a place kick because it is more accurate... ...but you may use a drop kick if you wish (may save time because you need less preparation). If the kick is successful the try is "converted" and extra points are awarded (scored). The kick is taken in line with where the try was scored. To make the angle of the kick easier, you can kick from as far away from the goal-line as you like. but the kick is then much longer. Scoring a try near the posts makes it easier to get the extra points for converting. Tries near the posts are easier to convert Get a try at "A", out on the wing. Good but hard to convert.

Get a try at "B", Better than at "A". But still not easy. Get a try at "C" - Best! It's straight in front, easy to convert. So, when scoring tries, remember the kicker and the extra points... Even after crossing the goal-line you can run towards the posts to get as near as you can to the posts before grounding the ball. The nearer the goal posts the better - but actually scoring the try is the most important thing! Make absolutely certain you get the ball down on the ground. If they manage to stop the ball touching the ground...NO TRY! One more thing, if the goal posts get in the way you can "ground" the ball against the posts or the padding on the posts and it`s still a TRY! They are considered to be part of the goal line. Concentrate on getting them Scoring a try is exciting. It may be your own brilliant solo effort or many players involved , but overall it belongs to the whole team. You have a responsibility to your team-mates to make your best effort to score. Many players forget this. Instead they have their minds on personal glory and celebration. That is a big mistake!

See it on YouTube Show respect for your team-mates and the opposition. When you are in position to score a try, JUST DO IT... (avoid delay!) ...and let other players know that`s all you want from them! BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Laws & Equipment | The basics of rugby union Rugby player positions explained Rugby union is played by two teams of 15 players. Although the aim of the game is simple, there are many laws which make can make it hard for the new viewer to keep track of what is going on. Here BBC Sport runs through the very basics of the game and, to the right, you can click on the links to find our more on the various rules of rugby union. AIM OF THE GAME Jonny Wilkinson scores the winning points in the 2003 World Cup final The aim of the game is very simple - use the ball to score more points than the other team. You can run with the ball, kick it and pass it, but passing forwards is not allowed. Rugby union is a contact sport, so you can tackle an opponent in order to get the ball, as long as you stay within the rules.

There is a referee, aided by two touch judges (one on each side of the pitch), to decide how the rules should be applied during a game. There are several ways to score points. A try - five points are awarded for touching the ball down in your opponent's goal area. A conversion - two points are added for a successful kick through the goalposts after a try A goal kick - three points are awarded for a penalty kick or drop goal through the posts If both teams score the same amount of points, or no points are scored, then the match is a draw. In some cases, extra time is played to decide who wins. DURATION A game of rugby union has two periods of 40 minutes each. In international matches the referee will stop the clock for stoppages. Between the two halves, there is a maximum 10-minute interval, after which both teams change ends. The referee's whistle indicates the start and finish of the half. Extra time will only be played if it's a knockout competition. KICK-OFF Before the start of the match, the referee tosses a coin to decide which team will kick off the match.

The captain of the team that wins the toss gets to decide which end he wants to attack first, or whether his side or the opposition will kick off. The game is started by a place kick or a drop kick from the middle of the halfway line. The ball must travel forwards at least 10 metres from the kick-off. If it does not, the opposition get the choice of a scrum or line-out on the halfway line, with the advantage of the feed or throw. If a penalty or drop goal is scored during the game, play is restarted with a drop kick from the halfway line. The team that has conceded the points takes the kick. THE BALL Rugby union is played with an oval-shaped ball. All balls must be between 28cm and 30cm in length (approximately 11-13 inches).

Most full-size balls weigh between 383 and 440 grammes (approximately 13.5-15.5 ounces) Bookmark with: The Newsround beginner's guide to the Rugby World Cup - CBBC Newsround The Newsround beginner's guide to the Rugby World Cup 5 October 2015 Image copyright AP The Rugby World Cup is kicking off and over the next few weeks you're going to be hearing about it a lot. But if you don't know the first thing about rugby then fear no more! We've made you a special guide that will help you impress your mates during the tournament. Here is Newsround's top words, phrases and fun facts to try and drop in while you're watching the games. Image copyright AFP A game of rugby consists of two halves of 40 minutes. Each side has 15 players, divided into eight forwards and seven backs. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Joe Marler and Dan Cole are two of England's biggest forwards. The forwards are generally bigger and heavier and the backs are faster and smaller. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Ireland fly half Jonathan Sexton is one of the world's best backs. A total of seven substitutes are allowed for international matches.

There is one referee assisted by two touch judges, who help the referee make decisions. BLUFFER'S PHRASE: "The forwards are doing all the work out there." SCORING The object of the game is to score more points than your opponents. There are a few different ways to score points: Image copyright AFP Image caption A try is scored when a player touches the ball down over the try line with their hand. Try: A try is worth five points. It is scored when a player places the ball on the ground with downward pressure, between the try line and dead ball line of the opposition's half of the pitch. There is no such thing as an "own try". If you touch the ball down in your own in-goal area, it results in a kick or a scrum. Conversion: If a team scores a try, they have an opportunity to "convert" it for two further points by kicking the ball through the goal. The kick is taken from a point level with where the try was scored. Image caption A diagram of a standard rugby union pitch Penalty kick: If a side commits a foul or serious offence, a penalty is awarded and the opposition can decide to kick the ball through the goal posts from where the offence happened.

If successful, it is worth three points. Image copyright AP Image caption Jonny Wilkinson's drop goal helped England win the World Cup in 2003. Drop goal: A drop goal is also worth three points and is scored when a player kicks the ball from out of their hands through the opposition's goal. But the ball must touch the ground between being dropped and kicked. BLUFFER'S PHRASE: "Great try boys! Now let's add the conversion." KEY WORDS Scrum - A scrum is when eight forwards from one team push against eight forwards from the opposing team. One player feeds the ball into the middle of the scrum and the two sides then push to try and take control of the ball. Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Scrums are used as a way of restarting the game and involves the biggest players (the forwards) pushing against each other. It's used to as a way of restarting the game and can be one of the key areas that help a team win. BLUFFER'S PHRASE: "That's a messy scrum, they're all over the place." Image copyright AFP Image caption It's the hooker's job to get the ball back to his team from the scrum.

Hooker - A key player in the scrum - their job is to hook the ball back towards the rest of their team using their feet. BLUFFER'S PHRASE:"This guy can't hook for toffee." (if their team keeps losing the scrum) Image copyright AFP Image caption A try is scored when a player touches the ball down over the try line with their hand. Fly-half - Some people think that the fly-half is the most important player on the pitch. Image copyright Reuters Image caption Wales' fly half Dan Biggar has the important job of controlling what his team does on the pitch. He is normally the best kicker and is in charge of calling plays and controlling where his team go, where they're running and where the ball goes. BLUFFER'S PHRASE: "He's no Jonny Wilkinson that fly-half." Image copyright AFP Image caption Once a player is tackled the opposition players will try to turn the ball over quickly by getting it off them. Turnover - A turnover is when one side is attacking and the other team take the ball off them.

BLUFFER'S PHRASE:"They've done well to force the turnover." Image copyright AFP Ruck - When a tackled player hits the ground he must let go of the ball. If neither team then picks it up they can start pushing against each other with the ball still on the ground. This is what's known as a ruck. Teams can push the other back great distances while the ball is in the ruck. However, if it stops moving the referee may blow his whistle and restart the game with a scrum. BLUFFER'S PHRASE: "They need more people in the ruck." Image copyright PA Sin-bin - All players who have committed a yellow card offence have to leave the game for 10 minutes and sit on a bench called the sin-bin. Unlike football, anyone the ref shows a yellow card must leave the pitch straight away, but can come back after their 10-minute punishment runs out. BLUFFER'S PHRASE: (After a bad tackle) "He should go to the sin-bin for that." Here's some other things you might hear a lot: Lineout: When the ball goes out of play at the side of the pitch, a lineout is awarded against the team who last touched the ball.

Players from each team line up in a long row and the ball is thrown into this line up by the hooker. Both sides jump to try to get the ball, and can lift each other up to reach it. Knock-on/knock-forward: This is when the ball goes forward off the hands or arms of a player and hits the ground or another player. You are not allowed to throw the ball forward in rugby and so if there is a knock on the other team are awarded a scrum. Forward pass: The ball always has to be passed backwards in rugby. If the referee thinks it is passed forward then a scrum is awarded to the other side. High tackle: It is illegal to tackle an opponent above the shoulders. The same goes for the late tackle - tackling the player after he has passed or kicked the ball. Scoring in Rugby | Vienna Youth Inc. - Rugby SCORING IN RUGBY How do you score in rugby? In American football, it is only necessary for the ball to cross the plane of the goal line. In rugby, the ballcarrier must touch the ball to the ground on or over the goal line (try zone).

When the ball is touched to the ground by an attacking player, he (or she) scores a "TRY"! You may gave seen players diving over the goal line to touch the ball down. That works, and so does running across (or not) and simply placing the ball on the ground. The ball must not be dropped out of the hands. If a player crosses the goal line but fails to touch the ball to the ground (tackled out of bounds, or runs over the end line), then no try is scored. How else can you score in rugby? After a try is scored, the scoring team can take a conversion kick at goal. Unlike American football, where the conversion kick is taken from in between the goal posts, the rugby conversion kick is taken anywhere on a line straight out from where the ball is touched down. For this reason, it is important to touch the ball down as close to the center of the goal posts. Equally important, defenders should prevent the ballcarrier from getting to the middle to make the conversion kick as difficult as possible. What about field goals? There are no field goals in rugby, but there are penalty goals and drop goals.

If the referee awards a penalty, the team may elect to kick a penalty goal. The penalty goal may be kicked from a tee or from a drop kick. A drop goal is scored during the course of play where the player drops the ball to the ground and kicks it as it touches the ground., A goal cannot be scored by punting the ball through the goal posts. How many points are scored in these situations? Try = 5 points. Conversion goal = 2 points. Penalty goal = 3 points. Drop goal = 3 points. © 2017 LeagueAthletics.com, LLC. and Vienna Youth Inc. - Rugby (1937). All rights reserved. Visitor # 207,153 x New Privacy Policy We have made changes to our Privacy Policy . By using this site you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service . Ten facts about the Rugby Previous Facts - Next Facts Ten Facts About Rugby Take football but add odd-shaped balls that you can pick up and you end up with rugby - the sport of gentlemen. Here are ten facts about Rugby. Fact One The sport of rugby is named after Rugby School, where the game was first played.

The game is said to have been invented in 1823 when William Webb Ellis caught the ball while playing a game of football* at school, and ran to the goal with it. Although there is doubt about whether this actually happened, Webb Ellis is still remembered as the sport's inventor and the winner of the Rugby Union World Cup, held every four years, receives the Webb Ellis Cup. * At the time, the game of football played in schools wasn't the sport that it is now, with each school having their own rules. It was only from the middle of the 19th Century when inter-school matches began to take place that set rules were defined, with the two main variants of football becoming Association Football (soccer if you're American) and Rugby Football. Fact Two Rugby is known for the use of oval-shaped balls. However, this hasn't always been the case. Initially, the balls were plum-shaped due to the shape of pigs' bladders that they were made from. They became more spherical towards the end of the 19th Century when they began being made using rubber inner tubes rather than the bladders of pigs.

However, to distinguish the balls used in rugby from the balls used for football, Rugby School requested that their balls remained slightly egg-shaped. Over time, they have become more and more flattened to the shape that they are now. Oval balls are more suited to rugby than spherical balls as they are easier to catch, hold and run with and don't roll as far so don't go out of play as often. Fact Three As rugby balls and footballs were made from pigs' bladders and they had to be blown up by breath alone, it was possible to become ill if blowing up a diseased bladder, and the wife of Richard Lindon, a man who made balls for Rugby School in the 19th Century, died after breathing in the air from too many bad bladders. Fact Four The reigning Rugby Olympic champion is that famous (?) rugby-playing nation, the United States! The game of rugby has only has only been an Olympic sport four times and made its first and last Olympic Games appearances in Paris. The first time it was played was in 1900 during the Paris Olympics.

It was played again in the London Olympics of 1908, next in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics and finally in the 1924 Paris Olympics. As well as being the current Olympic champion, the United States is also the most successful nation winning gold in both the 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games. A seven-a-side version of Rugby will make an appearance in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Fact Five The first time a national anthem was sung before a sporting event happened, kind of spontaneously, before a rugby game. New Zealand famously dance the Haka before the start of a game of rugby, a traditional war-dance which is sometimes seen as an attempt to intimidate their opposition. On 16th November 1905 they played Wales at Cardiff Arms Park. After New Zealand danced the Haka before the match, Wales responded by beginning to sing the Welsh national anthem, ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’ (not sure what it means, but it probably isn't anything to do with chickens). The crowd picked up on this and joined in.

Nowadays, before major sporting events, it is traditional for the national anthems of the countries being represented to be sung beforehand. Fact Six Rugby Union World Cup tournaments are held every four years. The first tournament took place in 1987. It was hosted by Australia and New Zealand and was won by New Zealand. The United Kingdom and Ireland hosted the 1991 tournament which was won by Australia. South Africa were hosts in 1995 and also won the tournament. Wales hosted the tournament in 1999 when Australia were victorious. Australia hosted the 2003 tournament which England won and France hosted the 2007 which South Africa won. New Zealand were hosts for the 2011 World Cup, which they also won, while the 2015 World Cup is being held in England and Wales. Fact Seven Rugby players mostly earn points by scoring tries, achieved by a player crossing the touchline with a ball and touching it to the ground (which can be done by falling on it!). A try in rugby union is worth 5 points, in rugby league it is worth 4.

However, a try was once worth nothing, instead it gave the player who achieved one the opportunity to "try" to score a goal, hence its name. Goals were scored by placing the ball on the ground and kicking it over the crossbar and between the two posts, therefore converting the try into a goal, a goal being worth 1 point. Nowadays, an attempt at a conversion still follows a successful try and gives players the opportunity to score an extra 2 points. Fact Eight The Rugby World Cup game with the highest number of points was 162 from the match played on 4th June 1995 when New Zealand beat Japan 145 points to 17. Fact Nine The same whistle is used to kick off the opening game of every Rugby World Cup tournament. It is the Gil Evans whistle and was first blown by Gil Evans, the Welsh referee overseeing a match between England and New Zealand in 1905. It was also used at the kick off of the final rugby match at the 1924 Paris Olympics. Fact Ten The first international rugby match took place between Scotland and England in 1871 at Raeburn Park in Edinburgh.

Scotland won 1-0 by converting a try. The scorer, and therefore the first player to score an international rugby goal, was William Cross. If the modern scoring system was used, the score would have been 12-5 to Scotland, who scored two tries and one conversion. England achieved one try but failed to convert. How Players Can Score in Rugby - dummies How Players Can Score in Rugby How Players Can Score in Rugby How Players Can Score in Rugby Part of Rugby Union For Dummies Cheat Sheet (Australia/New Zealand Edition) While the basic aim of rugby is to score a try, players can get points on the board in many different ways. You can score points as follows: A try is worth five points, which is the most number of points you can score at once. A penalty try is worth exactly the same as a normal try — five points. A converted try is worth seven points: Five points are awarded for the initial try and two more are awarded when the goal kicker kicks the ball over the crossbar. A field goal earns the goal kicker’s team three points. A penalty goal is worth three points.

Rugby kick-off - where and why you kick when you start the game Rugby kick-off A rugby kick-off takes place when you start or restart a rugby game - know where you kick the ball and why - it`s important! Starting and restarting You start each half of the game with a drop kick . You also restart in the same manner after each score. All players must be behind the ball when it`s kicked - so always stay behind the kicker! If you`re the kicker, be sure all players are behind you before you kick. These kicks are taken from the middle of the field kick-off at the start of the game kick-off when the game is resumed after half time re-starts after each occasion points are scored The 10m line indicates how far the ball must travel when the kick is taken. Read about the 10m line on the rugby field page If the ball is blown back it still counts. The opposition may choose to play the ball even if it hasn't travelled the required distance. When the ball has been 'made dead' in the ingoal area the game is restarted with a drop kick on the 22 metre line.

It`s called a 'drop out' and can be taken anywhere along the 22 metre line or behind it and all players must be behind the kicker. For a '22 drop out' the drop kick simply has to cross the line before it can be caught or picked up. For the kick-off from the centre of the half-way line you have a number of options Long kick-off. Kick deep into the opposition half - good gain in ground but little chance of getting possession when the ball lands. Opposition can kick the ball back or run it back before you get there. Your initial gain in ground may be reduced. You may even find the ball back, deep in your own half. Short kick-off.

Kick the minimum permitted distance - not much gain in ground, you risk the ball not going the required 10 metres but you have a real opportunity to re-gain control of the ball before the opposition can catch it Kick to around opposition 22 - reasonable gain in ground, not much chance of regaining possession but in a good position to start applying pressure by keeping the opposition pinned in their own 22 metre area Kick to the side where the forwards are massed - safest option but exactly what is expected by the opposition Kick to the less defended side - hoping to catch the opposition off guard allowing fast team mates to scoop up the ball and take advantage of a defensive lapse. Risky, used fairly rarely, maybe when a quick score is needed Keep the other side guessing - vary your kick - but make sure your players know where it`s going! Player positioning for a rugby kick-off The attacking team knows where the ball is going. The defending team has to guess but is guided by the positioning of the attacking players. When it`s your kick-off you will tend to kick so as to put the ball in front of the bulk of your forwards.

This will improve your chances of regaining possession and reduce the risk of defenders breaking through when carrying the ball back, out towards you. You also aim to cover right accross the field with your backs. This allows for the odd surprise attack and ensures the opposition have no easy route out of their territory when returning the kick. All players must be behind the kicker when the kick is made. Then you charge up the field, maintaininng your position relative to your team mates so as to provide a solid defensive pattern. At the same time you must ensure that you advance at a rate and in a pattern that allows you to guard your own territory from advancing punting or chip kicking opposition players. Actual player positioning on the ground for a rugby kick-off is normally similar to the pattern of the scrum/backs positioning at scrum time. The attacking team locks will tend to lead the charge for the ball because they are tallest and have the best chance of regaining possession. A popular ploy is to sent your faster runners after the kick. They leap for the ball and tap it backwards to following support players. The tap-back can be made at a greater height than an actual catch. The defending team will tend to mirror the attacking team positioning.

At higher levels defenders may be positiond slightly differently so that locks can be lifted to receive the kick. Players about to receive kick-off Above, player numbers have been added to the original image This gives a clear indication of how team members are allocated positions at the kick-off, offering defence over the whole field. Players tend to be positioned at the farther limits of their area as it is always easier to move towards the ball and catch it. At this high level of rugby several potential pods of players have been positioned, each with a tall jumper and a stockier lifter/supporter. They are 3(prop) and 5(lock) for the shorter kick-off. For the longer kick, 1(prop) and 4(lock). For a kick down the centre, flankers 6 and 7. Players adjust to landing spot When the ball has been kicked and the landing spot can be predicted, players adjust their positions and roles. In the above image it has become clear the ball is going to the players on the 22m line so players in front are moving to support and assist. Players at the centre and far side of the field adjust their positions so as to be behind the ball and able to assist in moving the ball.

They will also be 'on-side' and able to chase if a clearing kick is made. Players combine to catch kick-off In the above image the player going to catch the ball is now also assisted by the lifter no longer needed in the 3,5 player pairing. Other players continue to fall back in support. Photo credits: Frame grabs from Channel 10 coverage of Australia v Republic of South Africa, a Rugby Championship match on September 7th, 2013.

Question: How many points is a ‘Try’ worth in a game of rugby union?
Answer: Five