The game is broken down into two 40 minute halves with a 10 minute rest period in between.
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.
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
Positions:
Each team has 15 players on the pitch and play both attacking and defending roles. Players are numbered 1 to 15, with numbers 16 – 22 being used for the replacements. The number stays with the position and not the player as it can do in other sports, so for example the Full Back is always number 15.
Positions 1-8 on the field are called the Forward pack. They are involved in all the set piece plays and contest the lineouts and scrums. Larger and more powerful than the Backs, they aim to win or retain the ball and drive the team up the field and in that respect are similar to linebackers or linesman in American Football.
Positions 9-15 are called the Backs. They tend to be smaller than their Forward brothers as they need speed and agility to run the ball into space or kick for goal. They have to maximise the possession and get points on the board so would be similar to running backs or wide receivers in American Football.
Forwards:
Props (1, 3)
Supports hooker in the scrum, lifts jumpers in the lineout. Key power at rucks and mauls for retaining ball. Not always the fastest or most athletic on the pitch, but manages to get the job done for the full 80 minutes
Hooker (2)
In the middle of the front row of the scrum, responsible for winning the ball. Throws ball at lineouts. While usually the smallest forward, plays a critical role of any good scrum or lineout.
Locks (4, 5)
Typically the largest players on the field, they have primary responsibility for being the power in scrums and securing the ball in lineouts. Due to their size, they are also normally powerful forces in all loose play, rucks, and mauls. Also known as Second Row.
Flankers (6, 7)
At the back of the scrum. Aim to win ball through turnovers. They are the most versatile players on the field, capable of producing awe-inspiring runs, running smart support lines, or playing hard-nosed defence if needed. Flankers (or breakaways) usually fall into two distinct roles - open side and blind side (see scrum reference for meaning of open/blind side). An open side flanker is usually faster and smaller and is tasked with being first to the breakdown (tackle) to win protect the ball if in possession or win it from the opposition if not. They also act like a type of NFL Gunner in defence at scrums or lineouts, zeroing in on the five eight at speed to put him under pressure or ideally tackle him (as heavily as possible). A blind side flanker will also be required to win and protect ruck ball, but usually do more ball carrying and defence against oncoming forwards.
Number Eight (8)
Rounding out the forward pack, the Number 8 is the link between the forward pack and backs. Controls ball at back of scrum before attack begins. Shares many of the versatile and athletic traits of the flankers.Number 8 also shoulders a lot of ball carrying responsibilities.
Backs:
Scrum Half (9)
Feeds the ball into a scrum and retrieves the ball at the base of scrums, rucks, and mauls. Traditionally the smallest back, but not so much in recent times.
Fly Half (10)
Similar to QB in football. Will call plays for the backline, pass the ball to other backs, or provide most of the tactical kicks. Also commonly the goal kicker.
Wing (11, 14)
Typically fast and agile while powerful enough to break tackles. Gets on the end of plays and as a result score a lot of tries. Also have key duties during defence helping the fullback cover kicks and counterattacking.
Centres (12, 13)
Powerful runners who are the heart of the back running attack and defence. Good readers of the game with excellent handling and running skills.
Fullback (15)
The last line of defence, normally plays deep behind the backline. In attack the fullback is a dangerous attacking option hitting holes unexpectedly at pace. In defence the fullback has primary responsibility for covering all tactical kicks down field by the opposition.
Some of the names for the 15 rugby positions have changed over the years and some have different names in different countries. Variations include:
Flanker – wing forwards
Number 8 – 8 man
Scrum-half – half-back
Fly-half – outside half, stand-off half, out half, first five-eighth
Inside centre – second five-eighth
Outside centre – centre three-quarter, centre
Wing – wing three-quarter
Other Basics:
The Field
The field is a rectangle 70 metres wide and 100 metres long. At each end of the field is an area called the in-goal. This is where tries are scored. The side lines are called the "touch lines".
Scrum
When play is stopped for a minor infringement (a forward pass or knock-on), it is restarted by a scrum made up of the 8 forwards from each team. At a scrum, the ball is rolled into the tunnel between the opposing "packs" by the scrum half (No. 9) and hooked back by a player from either side. At a scrum, all players not in the scrum must be behind the back of their side of the scrum, otherwise they are off-side. Except the half back who must remain behind the ball. A scrum (or even a maul or ruck) will have an "open" side and a "blind" (or "short") side. Quite simple, the open side is that side with the longest distance to the touch line and the "blind side that with the shortest distance to the touch line.
Tackle
When a player is running with the ball he may be "tackled' by an opposing player. When a player is tackled (brought to the ground and held), he must release the ball so that both teams can contest possession. Players must be on their feet when contesting possession.
Rucks & Mauls
Rucks and mauls are used to compete for the ball and to keep the game flowing. A ruck is formed when one player from each team comes into contact over the ball when it is on the ground. A maul is formed between opposing teams in a similar way to a ruck, except that the ball remains in the hand, as opposed to being on the ground. At a ruck or maul, all players not in the ruck or maul must be behind the back of their side of the ruck or maul, otherwise they are off-side. No hands are allowed to be used in rucks (see "rucking 101" video below) and the defending teams are not allowed to "bring down" a maul (i.e. tackle players in the maul to the ground.)
Lineout
When the ball is kicked, bounces or is carried into touch (the side boundaries) it may be brought back into play by a quick throw or at a formed lineout. In a lineout, the ball is thrown down the centre of the two lines of forwards to the players selected for their jumping skills. Players not taking part in the line out (the half back is "taking part") must remain 10 metres behind the line out. The line out continues until the ball clears the area or the referee rules it over.
Overtime you'll come to learn and understand the many facets of the game. However, probably the two most important areas for any newbie to get to grips with are 1) the breakdown and 2) the kicking game
The breakdown - the short period of open play immediately after a tackle and before and during the ensuing ruck. This is effectively where most games are won and lost. It's also where most infringements take place. This video does a great job at explaining what is and isn't allowed during the breakdown
Rucking 101 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2SVNggxuBE
Kicking game - specifically kicking to touch (side-line). Useful to know where the resulting line-out takes place and which team has possession.
Kicking - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TLdgmjhV_Y
Understanding these two areas will help your overall viewing enjoyment of the game.
[ Edited by munst49ERS on Sep 18, 2015 at 7:00 AM ]
