<p>Rugby union can look like organised chaos if you don't know what's happening. Players crash into each other, the ball goes backwards, and the referee blows the whistle for reasons that seem completely random.</p> <p>The truth is that the games are not random at all (obviously), and they are actually pretty straightforward once you know the basics.</p> <p>The most important part to understand is that you will always have two teams of 15 players battle for 80 minutes to score more points than the opposition, and that players can only pass the ball backwards. Everything else flows from that one rule.</p> <p>If you're coming from rugby league, you'll recognise a lot here. But there are some key differences that change how the game plays out. Let's start there.</p> <h2>Rugby Union vs Rugby League: The Key Differences</h2> <p>Most Aussies grow up watching the NRL, so league is the frame of reference. Union shares DNA with the league but plays out differently on the field.</p> <p>The biggest difference is player numbers. Union has 15 players per side compared to league's 13. Those extra two players create more structure and set-piece play.</p> <p>Possession works completely differently. In league, you get six tackles before handing over the ball, while in union, there's no tackle limit. A team can hold the ball for the entire half if they don't make a mistake or concede a penalty.</p> <p>After a tackle in league, you've got the play-the-ball. In union, you've got rucks and mauls, which are contested battles where either team can steal possession. More on those shortly.</p> <p>Also, keep in mind that lineouts don't exist in league. When the ball goes into touch in union, both teams line up and contest for a throw-in. It's a genuine 50/50 contest if the throwing team gets it wrong.</p> <p>Scrums are also completely different, and league scrums are basically uncontested restarts. Union scrums are genuine battles where eight forwards from each side lock together and push. The team that wins the scrum gets the ball, and the team that loses can actually steal it.</p> <p>Scoring values differ too, since a try in union is worth 5 points (league is 4). Conversions are 2 points in both codes, and penalty goals are 3 points in union but only 2 in league. Drop goals are 3 points in union compared to just 1 in league.</p> <h2>How Scoring Works in Rugby Union</h2> <p>There are four ways to put points on the board, so understanding these will make sense of about 80% of what you see on the field.</p> <p><strong>Try (5 points):</strong> Ground the ball over the opposition's try line with downward pressure. You can't just drop it over the line; you need to physically push it into the ground. This is the main objective of the game.</p> <p><strong>Conversion (2 points): </strong>After a try, the scoring team gets a kick at goal. The catch is that the kick must be taken in line with where the try was scored. Touch down under the posts and you're kicking from directly in front. Score in the corner and you're kicking from near the sideline. This is why you'll see players sprinting towards the posts even when they've already crossed the line.</p> <p><strong>Penalty goal (3 points): </strong>When the opposition commits an infringement, the attacking team can choose to kick at goal from where the penalty was awarded. Teams often take the three points rather than risk going for a try and coming away with nothing.</p> <p><strong>Drop goal (3 points):</strong> A player drops the ball onto the ground and kicks it through the posts on the half-volley during open play. It's difficult to pull off, which is why you don't see them often. But when a game's tight and time's running out, a drop goal can win the match.</p> <p>There's also the penalty try, worth 7 points automatically. The referee awards this when foul play prevents what would have been a certain try. No conversion is needed because the full 7 points are awarded immediately. The offending player also gets sent to the sin bin.</p> <h2>The Golden Rule: Pass Backwards, Run Forwards</h2> <p>Rugby union has one rule that shapes everything: you cannot pass the ball forward. You can run forward with it, you can kick it forward… But if you throw it to a teammate, the ball must travel backwards or at least flat.</p> <p>This creates the attacking patterns you see in union: teams build through multiple phases, recycling the ball after each tackle and slowly working their way up the field. It's a war of attrition compared to league's six-tackle structure.</p> <p>If a player passes forward, the referee awards a scrum to the opposition. Same goes for a knock-on, which is when a player fumbles the ball and it travels forward off their hands or arms.</p> <p>Because there's no tackle limit, territory matters enormously, and teams don't want to play the game in their own half where a turnover could gift the opposition easy points. This is why you see so much kicking in union: a well-placed kick can flip the field and put pressure back on the other team.</p> <h2>Set Pieces Explained</h2> <p>Set pieces are structured restarts that happen after certain stoppages. They're where union really diverges from league.</p> <h3>The Scrum</h3> <p>Eight forwards from each team bind together in a 3-4-1 formation. The two front rows crouch, bind onto each other's jerseys, then engage on the referee's call. The scrum-half feeds the ball into the tunnel between the two packs.</p> <p>The hooker in each front row tries to hook the ball back with their feet. Meanwhile, both packs are pushing. The team that wins the shove can drive the opposition backwards and make it easier to secure clean ball.</p> <p>Scrums are awarded after knock-ons, forward passes, and certain other infringements. The team that didn't cause the stoppage gets to feed the ball in, which is a significant advantage.</p> <h3>The Lineout</h3> <p>When the ball goes into touch, play restarts with a lineout. Both teams form parallel lines perpendicular to the sideline. The hooker from the team that didn't put the ball out throws it down the middle.</p> <p>Players are lifted by teammates to catch the ball. The throwing team uses coded calls to signal where the ball's going, and the defending team tries to read those calls and steal the throw.</p> <p>A straight throw is critical. If the ball isn't thrown straight down the middle of the tunnel, the referee can award a scrum to the other team. This is where union's contest for possession really shows.</p> <h3>Rucks and Mauls</h3> <p>These are the breakdown situations after a tackle. They look similar but have different rules.</p> <p>A ruck forms when the ball carrier goes to ground and at least one player from each team binds over the ball. The ball is on the ground and players must use their feet to move it. No hands allowed. Players must stay on their feet and enter through the gate, which is directly behind the ball.</p> <p>A maul happens when the ball carrier stays on their feet and teammates bind on to drive forward. The ball is held off the ground. It's essentially a moving huddle pushing towards the try line. Mauls are common from lineouts, where the catching team immediately sets up a driving maul.</p> <p>Both situations are contests for possession. The defending team can legally try to turn the ball over by either winning the ruck or collapsing the maul. This constant battle for the ball is what makes union feel so different to league's play-the-ball.</p> <h2>Common Penalties and Infringements</h2> <p>The referee's whistle can feel relentless when you're new to union. Here are the main reasons it blows.</p> <h3>Offside</h3> <p>In general play, you must stay behind the ball or behind the teammate who last played it. At a ruck or maul, you must stay behind the hindmost foot of your teammates. At a lineout, players not in the lineout must stay 10 metres back.</p> <p>Offside is probably the most common penalty in rugby. Teams that rush up too fast in defence or don't retreat quickly enough after a kick get pinged regularly.</p> <h3>Knock-On</h3> <p>When a player loses the ball forward off their hands or arms, it's a knock-on. The opposition gets a scrum. If the ball goes backward, play continues. If it deflects off another player before going forward, it's not a knock-on.</p> <h3>High Tackle</h3> <p>Contact above the shoulders is illegal. Depending on the severity, the referee can award a penalty, a yellow card (10 minutes in the sin bin), or a red card (sent off for the match). World Rugby has cracked down heavily on high tackles in recent years to protect players from head injuries.</p> <h3>The Advantage Law</h3> <p>This one confuses a lot of new viewers. When one team commits an infringement, the referee doesn't always blow immediately. If the non-offending team has the ball and might benefit from playing on, the referee signals advantage with an outstretched arm.</p> <p>If the attacking team gains territory or a tactical benefit, the advantage is over and play continues. If they don't, the referee brings play back to where the original infringement occurred. It keeps the game flowing instead of stopping every few seconds.</p> <h2>What's the TMO?</h2> <p>The Television Match Official is rugby union's video referee. If you're familiar with the NRL's bunker, it's a similar concept but used differently.</p> <p>The TMO can only get involved in specific situations: checking whether a try should be awarded, reviewing potential foul play, or confirming kicks at goal. The on-field referee makes the call and can ask the TMO for assistance.</p> <p>You'll hear the referee say something like "I have a try, can you check grounding?" The TMO reviews the footage and reports back. The final decision always rests with the on-field referee. Unlike the bunker, the TMO can't independently intervene in most situations without being asked.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <p><strong>How long is a rugby union game?</strong></p> <p>80 minutes, split into two 40-minute halves with a 10-15 minute break at halftime. The clock stops for injuries and TMO reviews, so matches usually run around two hours from kickoff to final whistle.</p> <p><strong>Can you pass the ball forward in rugby union?</strong></p> <p>No. Passes must go backwards or flat. A forward pass results in a scrum to the opposition.</p> <p><strong>What's the difference between a ruck and a maul?</strong></p> <p>In a ruck, the ball is on the ground. In a maul, the ball carrier stays on their feet and the ball is held off the ground.</p> <p><strong>Why do rugby union scrums take so long to set up?</strong></p> <p>Because they're genuine contests. The referee calls "crouch, bind, set" to ensure both packs engage safely. Incorrect binding or early engagement can cause injuries, so refs are strict about getting it right.</p> <p><strong>Is rugby union the same as rugby league?</strong></p> <p>No. They share origins but are different sports with different rules. Union has 15 players, unlimited tackles, contested scrums and lineouts. League has 13 players, a six-tackle limit, and play-the-ball restarts. If you want to understand the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/rugby-league-positions-explained">positions in rugby league</a>, it's worth studying separately as the roles differ significantly from union.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-rugby-championship">Your complete guide to betting on the Rugby Championship</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-union/the-six-nations">Who's in the hunt for Six Nations glory?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/news/what-is-the-rugby-league-ashes">The forgotten rivalry — what happened to the Rugby League Ashes?</a></li> </ul>