BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | Laws & Equipment | Two points for a conversion Printable version Two points for a conversion After a team has scored a try (including a penalty try), they are awarded a "conversion" kick at goal. A successful kick is worth two points. The kick is taken from a point in line with where the ball was grounded for the try, as near or as far from the goal-line as the kicker desires. A conversion is successful if the ball goes between the opposition's goalposts and above the crossbar. If the ball hits the posts, and bounces out, play does not continue. The kicker may tee up the ball on sand, sawdust or an approved "tee" - or directly on the ground. And a team-mate (placer) is allowed to hold the ball - usually only if it is windy. They have one minute from the time they have teed their ball up or placed it on the ground to make the kick or it will be disallowed. The kicker's team-mates must be behind the ball when it's struck while the opposition must be behind the goal-line - though they can charge once he starts his run up.

If the ball falls over before the kicker begins his run up, the ref can allow it to be replaced. But if the ball falls over after the kicker has begun their run up, he either has to kick the ball as it lies or pick it up and attempt a dropped goal. BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Laws & Equipment | How to score points How to score points There are four main ways to score in rugby league: Try - four points A try is worth four points - the maximum number of points you can score in one go in rugby league. It is scored when a player puts the ball on the ground with "downward pressure" (very important) inside the opposition's in-goal area between the try line and dead ball line. If a defender makes an offence while the opposition are about to score a try, then the referee can award a penalty kick in front of the posts after the conversion kick. This means the opposition can score eight points if they are successful in scoring the try, the goal kick and the penalty kick. But if the try was not scored because of the offence, the referee will award a penalty try in front of the posts, as well as the extra penalty kick.

Goal kick - two points A team is awarded a goal kick after a try has been scored. The team has the chance to "convert" the kick at goal for two further points. The kick is taken from a point level with where the try was scored. The kick is successful if the ball goes between the opposition's goalposts and above the crossbar. Penalty - two points The referee will award a penalty when an offence has occurred. A player can punt, drop kick or take a place kick anywhere behind where the offence took place. They also have the choice of kicking for goal or for touch. A kick for goal is worth two points if successful. But to be successful, the ball has to go through the opposition's goalposts, above the crossbar. Two touch judges will raise their flags if the penalty is successfully kicked. If the team who gave away the penalty argue or commit further offences, the referee will punish them by taking the penalty 10 metres forward towards their goal-line. The team kicking also gets a new set of six tackles to play with. Play is re-started by placing the ball on the ground 10 metres into the field of play, parallel to where the ball went out to touch.

Teams can kick in any direction even backwards if they want to find space for a set play. Drop goal - one point A drop goal can be a spectacular way of scoring. If successful it will add one point to a team's score. A drop goal is scored when a player kicks the ball from hand through the opposition's goal posts, above the crossbar. However, the ball must touch the ground between being dropped and kicked. 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.

Breaking the Law: a three-point conversion system for scoring a try | Sport | The Guardian Breaking the Law Breaking the Law: a three-point conversion system for scoring a try The latest in our series introduces the idea of a post-try play in rugby union, akin to the NFL two-point conversion system A post-try play would have been useful for England in their 28-27 second Test defeat to New Zealand in June. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images Wednesday 3 September 2014 06.21 EDT Last modified on Tuesday 13 September 2016 12.46 EDT Share on Messenger Close The pace is relentless. They can taste the try-line. You can hear the urgency in the shrill voice of the scrum-half. The bruising sound of flesh and bone on flesh and bone and somebody beneath a ruck barking instructions is unnerving and reassuring in equal measure. As fans hold their breath in the stands, seemingly unstoppable forces heavily pant as they meet irresistible objects, untangling their limbs from others, hauling themselves off the ground to go again, and wait for a moment of either attrition or inspiration that will bring their team a precious five points.

There’s no getting round it, the most exciting thing in a rugby union match is a try. And yet, with goal-kicking becoming a well-mastered science, teams have long opted instead to kick for the posts when they are awarded a penalty, compromising with an easy three points instead of pressing for a decisive knockout blow, even when deep in the opposition’s 22. Taking a quick tap, scrum or kicking for the corner in order to score a try is often as brave or reckless. How do we combat this? While reducing the value of penalties is an option, that would entail a host of problems, not least increased indiscipline on the field. Increasing the value of tries, or adding an option to do so, is a better answer. Introducing a post-try play (let’s call it a PTP), akin to the two-point conversion system in American football, is a way of doing this. First introduced into the NFL in 1994, this new rule meant teams had the option of adding two points (rather than the one they would earn for a traditional 20-yard kick conversion) after they scored a touchdown by running a one-off play.

Succeed and two points are added, fail and the team make do with the six points from the original touchdown. The rule has been a resounding success, and earlier this year NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell even went so far to say he was considering a proposal to eradicate the kick conversion system entirely , with fans struggling to get excited about a simple 20-yard kick conversion that was missed just five times in 1,321 attempts last season. In NFL pre-season this year the league has experimented by moving the kick conversion back to the 33-yard line . Why? To increase the level of skill required, making the game more interesting. Rugby union kick conversions need not be changed, but adding an option can add an extra element to the game. A PTP might be set up as follows: following the scoring of a try, teams have the option for either a traditional two-point kick conversion, or a three-point PTP that is started by a five-metre lineout or five-metre scrum, at the captain’s discretion. The attacking team would then have one minute to effectively score another try, which would not count against the normal match clock.

This is designed to ensure players are not fatigued through countless phases of PTP play in a way that might then compromise the quality of the rest of the match, but also create a countdown situation in which the attacking team might have to go for broke, perhaps putting up a high ball or grubber kick to score the try as the time limit winds down. Any foul by the attacking team would result in the PTP being voided and the normal game being resumed. Likewise if the defensive team legally turn the ball over and subsequently kill it (kick if out of touch, ground the ball in the try area). If the defensive team are penalised during the PTP, the attacking team are awarded the full three points. One thing to play around with is the value of the PTP. At just one point more than a kick conversion, is that enough of an incentive for captains to regularly use it? Probably not. Would it be more effective if a kick conversion was one point rather than two? Maybe. In all likelihood, PTP’s would be used only at crucial points of the game. One of the worst arguments against changing rules in sport is “that’s not the way we used to do it”.

Rugby union is an evolving game and has a history of changing its laws – including increasing the value of a try from four points to five in 1992 – and the evolution of the quality of place-kicking has meant try-line action has declined. Pinching an idea from another oval ball game from across the pond will probably not go down with rugby’s traditionalists, but few can deny that the rule has revitalised an ageing conversion system in the NFL. Could the same not be applied to union? Imagine if England had the option to use a PTP in the closing stages of their second Test defeat in New Zealand ? It would have been utterly enthralling. But under the current law, England were only ever going to fall a point short and Chris Ashton’s try is simply a statistic. The new rule is based around a simple motive: less kicking; more creative attacking set plays. More switches, dummies, miss-passes. More disciplined, heroic and last-ditch defending. Simply put, it is all the excitement that comes with trying to wrestle an egg-shaped ball over a white line. These are the principles, and the joys, on which the entire sport in built. 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 . 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! Rules Of Rugby Rules of Rugby The Game A rugby union game is called a ‘Match’. It is a competition between two teams Each match lasts for 80 minutes plus time added to account for injuries and stoppages during the game. A match consists of two halves of 40 minutes each.

It is controlled by a single referee on the firld of play, two assistant referees (touch judges), and in professional matches, a match official called the video referee who can use television replays to rule on a particular incident. The object of the entire game is that each team scores as many points as possible. The team with the greater number of points when time is over wins the match. Scoring Points are scored by either scoring a try or a goal. A try is only scored when the player takes the ball across the goal line and grounds the ball. Grounding happens when the ball is on the ground and the player’s hand is on the ball. This ‘try’ is worth 5 points. A goal is scored by kicking the ball between the uprights and above the crossbar of the goal posts. T here are three ways to score a goal: a dropped goal (scored in open play where the ball must hit the ground immediately before it is kicked); a penalty goal (awarded after the opposing side infringes against the laws of rugby and may be kicked from a stationary ground position or by drop kick); and a conversion (awarded after a try is scored) by either a drop kick or a place kick.

A penalty or dropped goal is worth 3 points; a conversion is worth 2 points. The Playing Area The pitch must have 100 meters or less between the goalposts and an in-goal area behind each post. The length of the in-goal must be between 10 meters 22 meters. The pitch must be less than or equal to 70 meters wide. The goal posts are ‘H’ shaped and are placed in the middle of the goal line. The two uprights are placed exactly 5.6 metres apart and the crossbar that links them is 3 meters above the ground. Playing the game The team currently with the ball (called ‘having possession’) moves the ball up the field toward his opponent’s goal line or to try for a dropped goal. These are the only two ways a team can score in ‘open play’. In moving the ball up the field, the team with possession meets with the defending team who wish to stop their opponent’s progress; or take control of the ball (A ‘turn over’) attack the other goal This process is repeated until Someone violates the Laws of the game – a foul; the ball moves off the field of play – into touch; or a try or goal is scored.

Ball Travel The team in possession may choose to advance by kicking the ball forward. The ball may be passed from one player’s hand to another as long as the ball does not travel forwards in the pass. Rugby union is one of the few ball games where the ball cannot be passed forwards. Offside Any player who is part of the attacking team must be behind the ball to take an active part in the game. A player taking up a position between the ball carrier and the opposition goal is offside and may not join the game or interfere with play. Tackling The defending team who wants to take possession will tackle the ball carrier to stop him and make him release the ball. A tackle consists of grabbing hold of the opposing player and bringing them to ground. A tackled player must either pass or release the ball otherwise a foul is called. Releasing the ball allows the opposition to contest possession of the loose ball in open play. Play continues like this until a rule is broken or the ball goes out of play. Line Out If the ball goes into touch it is thrown back into play. This may be taken quickly from one player to a member of his own team.

More usual is the ‘line-out‘; here, both teams line up in equal numbers, one metre apart and contest a ball thrown between them. Restarts If the game stops because a rule has been broken, play restarts with either a scrum, free kick or penalty kick The decision whether to award a Penalty Kick or a Free kick rests with the refereeing team and is dependent on the nature and severity of the infringement. A penalty is a more severe award than a free kick Kicking for Goal The attacking team may score by kicking the ball between the posts and above the cross-bar. When attempting to kick for goal the ball may only be kicked from the ground: In the case of a place such as a penalty kick the ball can sit in a small plastic cradle or pile of sand. From open play, the player drops the ball to the ground and kicks it – this takes skill and timing. A successful kick at goal is worth three points. Scoring a Try The most prized and most valuable scoring method is a ‘try’ attained by grounding the ball in the in-goal area behind the goal line. This is worth five points. Conversion After scoring a try, the attacking team are awarded the opportunity to have a free kick at the goal.

This is called a conversion The conversion kick is taken from a point between the two sets of posts directly in line with where the ball touched the ground for the try. The ball may be any distance away from the posts as long as it is along that line. Kicking the ball between the two upright posts makes a ‘converted try’ and brings an additional two points 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.

Scotty Scott, Good analysis and not a bad option, but I don’t mind the time gap after a try. Allows the crowd and team to celebrate a bit! If the scoring system works to reduce penalties attempts and increase try attempts, then the time lost for scoring tries will be offset by the time gained by not going for the penalty. I’d prefer to see a more strict limitation on the amount of time for a penalty attempt than reducing the time lost after a try is scored. The other major time loss is in re-setting of scrums. Fix both of these up and we will have a much better product. Scott Allen At the very least I’d like to see time off once a try is scored and not restarted until the ensuing kickoff. Wouldn’t work the same way for penalty attempts as if you miss the ball is still live. suckerforred Like this idea better. Who? What’s the problem with the current system? 3 points for a droppie’s perfect – it’s a real skill.

It’s disappointing to see droppies used as last resorts (the reason why Bernie’s droppie was better than Wilko’s was that he wasn’t hiding in the pocket – he was in the line and the droppie was just one of several options available), but that does’t mean that they’re irrelevant or unworthy. 3 points for a penalty’s right, too. If it’s directly in front of the posts, then the infringing team deserve to lose the 3! If it’s out wide or miles back, then any kicker who can slot it has earned the 3 points for his team. We MUST retain conversions. It’s a way of rewarding a team for holding the middle of the field. It rewards players who chase the length of the field on a breakaway try to ensure the conversion’s taken from wider out, which is something that we should appreciate. I’ve no problem with 2 or 3 for a conversion, with 5 or 6 for a try, with the total value being 7-8.

As for time in play, I don’t see why we can’t have time off between tries and conversions (2 minute limit), beween indicating a penalty kick (be it for touch or the posts) and either the formation of the lineout or striking of the ball off the tee. As it stands, the forward pack generally does this anyway, and also at scrums. So I don’t see why we can’t blow time off. It also gives the ref more time to speak to captains, and more time for Channel Nein to throw in ads. JimmyC The scoring system is fine. These things just run in cycles. The law I would like to change is the drop goal one. A missed drop goal that goes dead should be the same as a kick in general play that goes dead. Scrum from where the ball was kicked against the kicking team Barbarian Wow… have never heard that suggestion before. It makes some sense, though it would eliminate one of my favourite spectacles in rugby- the last minute conversion to win the game, with the opposition charging off the line to stop it.

My suggestion is this- penalty goals should be worth 3 points if the penalty is given inside the 22, and 2 points if it is given outside it. Teams will still be punished for infringing in the red zone, but it should encourage more teams to kick for touch, especially on penalties that are 40m out and on the sideline. Ben I’m not sure that reducing the points on offer for longer-distance penalties is the answer. My logic is this: kicking the ball over from distance (I’m thinking of Frans Steyn as an example) requires a lot more skill than from 20 metres out. We shouldn’t dismiss the theatre that a good kick from distance provides, e.g. Steyn from his own half against the ABs in 2009, Beale vs. the Boks in Bloemfontein. I understand the impulse to make rugby more spectator-friendly, but I think we need to be mindful of not removing an important skill from the game. wiggety Frans Steyn and his ilk can go jump in the lake. Yep, they are highly skilled, and congratulations to them, but so are synchronised swimmers.

I wouldn’t want to see rugby games won by the team with the most skilled synchronised swimmer, anymore than I like seeing games won by the team with the most skilled kicker, especially if it means penalties from their own half rather than kicks for touch. I am all for the idea of 3 points in the 22, 2 points out of it. Or you could take it further, and give only 1 point from past the 10m line. Points for kicking should never be an end in itself, but only exist to reward good running rugby (ie conversion if try in center field), and punish negativity preventing running rugby (ie penalties close to the try line). For the same reasons, drop goals should only be 1 point so that it is only a rare tactical tool (eg for a tie breaker or increase a lead from say 7 to 8 points). Matthew Bates Picture this… Attacking team requires 3 points to WIN the game, time up on the clock. Defending team infringes in huge ruck ON the 22. Ball cant be sighted. Good luck ref!

Scotty PS I agree with keeping the field goal to 3pts, and my preference, like Timmsy is to have conversions and penalties both worth 2 points. I would also like to see a more straightforward system implemented for the use of yellow cards (eg every 4 defensive infringements is an automatic card). Paul absolutely agree. Something like in basketball where you have a number of team penalties then a penalty goal or the next penalty a yellow card. You could also record number of individual penalties conceded and if they reach a certain number, sideline the player for the rest of the match. It will open the game up and take away the management of discipline from the referee to the team. If the team gives away too many penalties I think the captain will be having words with his team. It’s like in the military, one member of the team stuffs up the whole team gets punished (push ups, fireman carries etc). Instead of the commander discipline his troops, their peers sort out discipline (harsh language and worse). Rob Edwards Here’s one I like.

Reduce penalty goal to 2 points BUT the restart (if kick successful) is a scrum to the non-offending team at place of infringement Matthew Bates Picture this… An attacking team with a very dominant scrum receives penalty right out in front from some scrum infringement. Kick the 2 pts, get another scrum, get another penalty, kick the 2 pts, get another scrum……. Groundhog Day, hardly promoting running rugby. Bally Moore I can see the benefits you highlight in your suggestion for no conversions, but reckon the conversion adds an element of intrigue to the game. A potential extra bonus after a try scored (2 celebrations for the fans), the excitement of a conversion from the sideline on the wrong side, a reward for scoring under the posts, and incentive for defense to keep chasing a try scorer to force the conversion wide. The mathematics of what is required in the last few minutes … a try… a converted try… I dont know… ultimately i’d like to see players / captains / coaches take on a little more responsibility to play positive rugby, but as you say, high stakes typically renders that simply idealistic. Roscoe Tims Why don’t we just move the posts closer together?

That would make kicks more difficult and reduce the incentive to go for goal. Scott Allen The simplest ideas are often the best. I like this one. Davo The great thing about this is that teams still get rewarded for good field position, if you’re right in front the posts being a bit closer together doesn’t really matter (except for Giteau). Kiap If they are going to alter the posts (possible, but problematic due to the all the work involved cutting them to size for every field), another option could be to move them back to the dead ball line, American-football stylee. This would add extra distance to all kicks for goal, making the tryline comparitively closer. Also takes the posts out of plays on the try line. vidiot I think that penalties should have to pass under the crossbar, and one of the opposition players should be allowed to stop it. He could wear a slightly different jersey and even gloves.

wiggety We could also raise the bar ;) Gumby I like the suggestion really though I must admit, there have been times where that final conversion attempt on the bell has just about as much high drama as the whole of the game before it; e.g., O’Connor’s kick in HK a few years back.There have been quite a few such historic moments over the years. Would it also mean more drawn games, whereby the equal number of tries were scored resulted in more games being drawn (especially in poor conditions like we saw in Newcastle)? Not sure about that one but it is worth thinking on because like Soccer few people are satisfied when you don’t have a winner. Redslug Great article and I too loved the history and how many changes have occurred. I like the idea of more tries, but not at the expense of ball in the hand time, good point. I do believe there would be few forwards out there that would not be to quick to embrace your concept. The time the kicker takes to attempt conversion, the players that have put the effort, tend to use this time to suck in the air, recuperate and allow the blood to settle.

As a female spectator, avid physique aficionado and vocal supporter I would not like to see the devolvement of the Forward’s physique into a Back’s shape to cope with the speed. Speed in exchange for kilo for kilo grunt and drive would make the forward pack into a Rugby League pack, ridiculous! I would like the front rowers that look fit and big to stay that way as it adds to the spectacle of Rugby and my entertainment and enjoyment. Otherwise an great conversation and article thanks Scott wiggety It’s the existence and importance of scrums, lineouts, rucks, and mauls that ensure the various Union forward physiques, not the speed of the game. League forwards are all the same because the only difference between them and the backs is hit ups. Lee Enfield To keep the ball in play longer, the time is stopped from: The moment a try is scored The moment the ref indicates a penalty goal will be attempted. Time is resumed the upon the first player touching the ball after the kick to restart. The kicker still has 90 seconds to take the kick, to prevent deliberate slowing down the game.

Davo An in between option would be to force the kicker to take a drop kick for the conversion (as is currently the case in 7’s). It takes less time than a place kick but still some time to show replays and for the supporters to celebrate (I actually think this is an incredibly important consideration in terms of the spectacle). I would imagine there will be less successful conversions so you could maybe change the points to 6 for the try and 1 for the conversion while you’re at it. That way a try is guaranteed to be worth TWO penalties / field goals. Now that I think about it we could do the same for penalties, drop kicks from right in front have a pretty high success rate but we will get less of the 50m speculator penalty shots. Teams still get the 3 points they deserve for the other team being dickheads. I’m not so sure of this option though. Pedro I was thinking place kicks for conversions, drop kicks for penalties. Dave No we shouldn’t change it. Every scoring system will have its advantages and flaws which you wont know until they are implemented which realistically will not happen any time soon.

Seems like a complete moot point… There are plenty of guys from 1870 with you on that Dave Yeah but in 1870 the sport wasn’t professional with media contracts being negotiated years in advance. Since the sport became professional the points have not changed and such a fundamental change would be exponentially more difficult to achieve now rugby is a business. What circumstances do you envisage where all the rugby governing bodies worldwide as well as sponsors and media contract holders agree to such changes? ChargerWA If a team infiringes in the 22, the penalty kick is only worth 1 point, but they have to restart from in goal. If they infringe outside the 22 the penalty kick is worth 2 and they restart from the 22. Rewards the team with field position and gives them possession back in the danger zone to remove the temptation for infriging negatively. At least that was what I was going to say until I read your idea of making try’s worth 7, a much better idea. Piggy I’d like to see kicks at goals given the same rules as field kicks.

If unsuccessful and it goes dead in goal it comes back to the place it was kicked as a scrum to the none kicking team. Leave the points the same, start binning people for infringing within the 22… Patrick I’m not sure what I would like, some really good ideas there, Scott’s has the virtue of avoiding NFL-esque technicalities. I am sure that this site produces some damn fine rugby reporting/news/commentary, Scott Allen’s posts being always a prime example. In the forum a few people appear actually upset that Fairfax might go behind a paywall or disappear completely or something, I can’t work out why anyone cares. The only issue for me is how sites like this can generate some kind of reliable earnings to ensure that they operate on a sustainable basis! HarpinOnRugby Super article though I have “throwing baby out with bathwater” concerns about the 7point try. Might meet with some resistance from the placekicker’s union and it will diminish their art form considerably. Remember…we normally only see them go for difficult kicks from the touchline when it’s a con from a try in the corner, and I reckon the game would suffer without that skill.

A fair compromise would be a 6-1 split in the try instead of 5-2, but unfortunately the Yanks have first dibs on the that! Still bravo on the piece, plenty of food for thought there! Ben Let’s think about the secondary effects of these changes for a second. The most obvious one is encouraging cynical defensive play, especially offside and in the ruck. I think most people are aware of this effect, and it is a question of whether you think the trade-off between a higher penalty count and more tries is worthwhile. What about the type of rugby that is played? I think it’s important not to treat ‘scoring tries’ and ‘running rugby’ as synonymous. I don’t necessarily think that spectators want to see more tries, but rather they want to see the ball in play – and in motion, not stuck at the bottom of a ruck – more often. My concern is that the set-piece (particularly mauling from a line out) would become increasingly important. I like a good maul as much as the next man, but I don’t think a game full of stoppages and attacks from set-pieces is going to bring all the boys to the yard.

Having said that, the proof will very much be in the pudding. I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds. Brumby Jack One of the biggest time wasting issues is try scorers throwing, or even kicking, the ball away after they score in the post try celebration so having a ‘shot clock’ would be good and throwing the ball away would only penalise your own side. Why not make it like NFL and have the conversion – drop kick only – from right in front no matter where along the try line it was scored. Lindommer ANY buggersising around with the ball at a breakdown, or try scoring, should result in an immediate 10m penalty. If teams gave up 10m at the restart they’d soon stop throwing, or kicking, the ball away after scoring tries. DrewB The points system HAS to change! I propose: A try to the Wallabies – 10 points A try to the All Blacks – 1 point NH Side penalty goal – 1 point England drop goal – negative 3 points All other scoring can remain as is. robbo We must keep the conversions. I agree with the point about how many games are won after the siren this way.

Maybe 3 points if it is within the sideline 10 metre line (narrowing the posts by a metre would add to this)? How about reducing the number of offenses that draw a straight arm? Is a prop missing his bind worth the same penalty as foul play – this might reduce the number of endless resets as one team looks to draw a scrum penalty. Every change will have unintended consequences, but change should be tried. I can remember when a team kicking to touch on a penalty did not get the throw. That was one change that worked really well. robbo Also as most tries go to the video ref, the post try restart restrictions are not going to work. The scoring team will just go to the half way line while they wait. johnny-boy On the opposite side I have often wondered what would happen if you increased penalty points to say 7 as well. At the moment, players and teams seem happy to give away a penalty rather than possession and the possibility of a try by cheating, tho admittedly risking a yellow card at times. Rugby being what it is these days, being led by the kiwis of course, tends to be in some players minds, a contest of who can cheat the best.

If you make cheating a potentially heavy cost, less players will ‘try it on’ perhaps. It might be a cleaner, fairer more free flowing contest. I don’t think it would become sterile as players would soon adjust to playing smarter and with more discipline. It’s not usually a team ‘constructing’ a penalty, tho they may try to put enough pressure on to force one, it is usually the other team negatively pushing their luck hoping to get away with it which kills the spirit and flow of the game. Some teams might spend the whole game trying to force penalties rather than score tries but I think the players would eventually get sick to death of such a negative approach to the game so it should self correct. It might be better than a yellow card and one team going to one man down. In Super XV and tests, being one man down usually means the game as a competitive exciting spectacle is over, except for bumbling incompetent teams like the Welsh of course. Big Fella I think we could take a lesson from other sports. When developments in Golf technology (clubs and balls) meant that courses were being monstered, the R&A mandated changes to save the game, and thousands of golf courses.

They restricted the ball’s distance capability and introduced new restrictions on clubs Athletics had to shorten and add width to the Javelin when too many throwers through it onto the running track. Today, the rugby ball travels too far in the air, enabling most teams to have kickers who can kick goals from around 55m out. Not too long ago these goals could only be kicked by freaks or at altitude. The game of rugby has changed as a result of the great scoring chance that comes with a penalty anywhere in opposition half, or sometimes even further from goal. Teams kick away from their try line because ‘bad things happen’ in your own half and the game offers referees a multitude of options to award penalties. Today the reward of running the ball is grossly outweighed by the risk of conceding a penalty goal and 3 points. If the rugby ball was restricted from travelling any further than say 40m in the air, I’d suggest this would have a massive positive impact on the game as a whole, and scoring could perhaps stay the way it is currently. saulih I love to watch guys that can slot it from 55mm out – remember you not only have to make the distance but also get it between the sticks.

I would think that would extra incentive enough for a defending team to not infringe. The real issue is purposeful infringements closer to the try line. That is the danger area that defending teams are rationalizing the intentional penalty versus continued defense. IMO more of these penalties should be deemed cynical and have the ref reach for his pocket. 14 men for 10 is a big disincentive. ian Great read. But I reckon the points system doesn’t need to change. The objectives of change in the game seem to be 1. Make it easier for try-oriented teams to win games and 2. Reduce the amount of time spent on penalty kick to-ing and fro-ing. A rule change might do that: if a penalty shot is taken and missed, option of a lineout adjacent to where the kick was taken, with the throw to the defending team. Like I said, it MIGHT work. I think the main issue with all of these ideas is the law of unintended consequences, such as where defending teams ‘game’ the rule change with increased infringements etc. murph Penalty = 2 points and team awarded penalty gets free kick/scrum from point of penalty no matter the outcome of the shot at goal.

That will stop cynical infringements to prevent a try murph Or, of a try is scored whilst advantage is being played, it’s worth 7 and a kick to come JimmyC Great idea. It pisses me off watching a game and the defending team offends multiple times (advantage called but penalty not blown) then all is forgotten if a try is scored. The ref should still be going for the pocket but they never do. muppet The one thing that has worked really well in recent times is the bonus point system. How about awarding bonus points DURING the game? e.g the 3rd try worth double. Zeno At the level of principle I’m concerned about making adjustments to the laws to try to get an effect for spectators at the senior/pro/elite level, when 99-point-something per cent of rugby is played by, and for the challenge of, amateur players. That said, I’m totally behind the idea that the laws should be geared to encourage try-scoring efforts and keep goals of all kinds as secondary scores. And I too would like to see more than 30 minutes of play in provincial and international matches. I think we need more consideration of what offences warrant full penalties and what the proper sanctions are.

Some time ago rugby league introduced the ‘differential penalty’ — no kicks at goal allowed for penalties for scrum offences. There’s merit in that idea. Rugby’s recent ELVs and short-arm penalties come to mind. Some shit simply isn’t bad enough to be punished with three points on the scoreboard; losing 30 metres of field position is the right price. One change I would like to see to penalty shots: no taking the ball back upfield for a better angle. You can’t walk off the spot for a tap-kick, you can’t move infield to give a wider angle for a touch-finder… so why should goal-kickers get the break? Take the kick from the spot of the offence; if it’s too close to the goal line, that’s a sign your captain should be calling for a scrum or a planned move from a tap. newrebel Great suggestion! I 100% agree, and for one reason that overrides all other factors. The ‘attacking’ strategy of looking for a penalty needs to be erased from the game. Once again, great suggestion! newrebel oops, sorry, only read page one.

I like the 3 point conversion and 2 point penalty and drop goal. Need the time after tries for beers:) Or can’t they just stop the clock for conversions and penalties?! saulih I do think that the importance of goal kicking should be upheld – if purely to preserve some of the roots of the game. I might be the minority here BUT when the goal kickers are good, I don’t mind watching them take their shots. How many games have seesawed back and forth due to goalkicks. Some of those games have been quite a spectacle. Now when they are bad… that is a different story… maybe points awarded should be reduced for a goal kicker if they continually miss ie after two misses they only get 1 pt for a penalty goal. I do like the idea of stopping the clock at the time of the conversion (not penalty kicks) – but giving them a 90 sec shot clock. Time would restart at kickoff. Tight5 I reckon a penalty kick within your attacking 50m should be 2 points and if u can slot anything over 50m you get 3 Big Fella Houston we have a problem.

Of late there have been more goals scored in Football World Cup Finals than tries in Rugby World Cup Finals. If we wish to leave the scoring the same, then changes to rules (or interpretations by referees) surely must come in to our game. Craige There is nothing wrong with the current points system. The real problem for me is the complexity of the laws. I feel 2 things can be done to solve this problem. 1 Simplify or eliminated really technical laws. 2. Plug the the match officials mics in to the Ground PA system and have the refs explain there calls when they are awarded. This point alone would encourage new people to the game hand enable them pick up hand understand the laws. I always fined it funny when professional commentators are scratching there heads and wondering what just happened. Phil I think there needs to be a physical limit on where penalties can be kicked from, such as within 30m of the posts. The penalty should be in recognition that the opposition has done something to disrupt your ability to score a try, a hard arguement to make when you are 50m out. If you are outside of that 30 m distance, the option should be kick for touch and take your chances with an attacking lineout.

murph Here’s everything you need to know about rugby — Quartz Business of Sport September 18, 2015 Starting today (Sept. 18), 20 international teams battle it out to be named the world’s best rugby team as England hosts the 2015 World Cup . The event is expected to sell 2.4 million tickets and bring in £2.2 billion ($3.3 billion) to the British economy. Yet despite rugby becoming increasingly popular across the world, the historically-posh sport doesn’t yet have the reach of soccer nor the financial clout of the NFL. How does the game work? Let Quartz be your guide. The basics There are two main types of rugby : rugby league and rugby union. The one that’ll be played at the World Cup is rugby union. Two teams play in an 80-minute match and use an oval ball to try to score more points than the other team. A team is made up of 15 players, which are divided into forwards, who tend to be the bigger and stronger players that fight for possession of the ball, and the backs, who are the faster and more agile players that usually are the ones to score tries.

Players can run and kick the ball, but can only pass it backwards. There are three ways to score: A team gets five points for scoring a try, where the ball is grounded over the opponent’s in-goal area. Two points are awarded to a team for a successful conversion. This is where a team can add further points after scoring a try by kicking the ball through the goal post. A team can get three points if a penalty is awarded and they successfully kick the ball through the goal post. Three points are also given if a team does what’s known as a drop kick, where a player drops the ball on the ground and kicks it through the goal post. The most famous drop kick ever is probably Jonny Wilkinson’s in the final against Australia, which won England the World Cup in 2003: The scrum is what rugby is most famous for. A scrum is usually called after a minor infringement and the game needs to be restarted. This is where the forwards of both teams interlock, a ball is fed into the scrum, and it has to be kicked back while both teams drive against each other.

An example of a great player begins and ends with Jonah Lomu, known as rugby’s Muhammad Ali, who dominated the sport when he played for New Zealand in the 1990s and early 2000s—despite never actually picking up a winner’s medal himself. Witness this display from the 1995 World Cup: Players to watch out for in this World Cup are Australia’s Israel Folau, Ireland’s Johnny Sexton, and Wales’ George North. And basically every player in New Zealand. The BBC has picked six to watch . Haven’t I seen this before? Rugby is similar to both American football, or NFL, and Aussie-rules football, but there are some notable differences. There are no pads or helmets, there are different ways of scoring and passing, and the pitch is rectangular—not oval. You could say the similarities between all three sports begins and ends with the egg-shaped ball. Is it safer than the NFL? The NFL has been gripped with a concussion crisis , where it’s been forced to fork out $1 billion to retired players . Several studies have highlighted the negative impacts that develop as a result of routine hits to the head.

Previous research has shown that NFL players are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia. Rugby, like NFL or America football, is a contact sport, but there are a few rules to make sure players tackle safely. A player can only tackle the ball carrier, and must do so below the shoulders and after the tackle, he must immediately release the player and roll away. Those who break these rules risk giving their opponents a penalty or could expect a yellow card for dangerous play. When a player has been “brought to ground” (tackled), he must release the ball and once he does, the ball is up for grabs. Who’s going to win the World Cup? New Zealand, nicknamed the All Blacks, has been dominating the game since the start of test rugby. New Zealand have won the most games of any team in rugby history —more than 70% of its matches since the team first played in 1884. The team is the current champion and the firm favorite to win this year’s cup for a record third time.

England, who last won the World Cup in 2003, had drawn the what some have described as the “group of death.” They will have to face off against Australia and their rivals Wales, among others.

Question: How many points does a conversion score in rugby union?
Answer: Two