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Rugby League vs Rugby Union: The Key Differences

Blake RobertsBy Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 22 September 2023
Blake Roberts Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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Person holding a rugby ball Rugby League vs Rugby Union

Rugby, a sport that many of us associate with big, burly Brits, Australians, Irish, New Zealanders, and South Africans, is played in two formats: rugby union and rugby league. Once both known as “rugby football”, these two games are quite different from one another – and in today’s blog, we’ll show you what these differences are. As to what’s the better game: rugby league vs rugby union, well, that’s up for you to decide!

The Main Difference Between Rugby League and Union

Rugby union and rugby league are similar sports with key differences. The main difference between rugby league and union – the most visible one, anyway – is that rugby union has 15 players, while rugby league has 13. In union, the ball can be contested after a tackle, but in league, the tackled team keeps the ball for a set of six tackles.

The scoring differs too: in union, a try is 5 points and a conversion 2, while in league, a try is 4 points and a conversion 2. We’ll cover these differences in more depth throughout this blog on rugby union vs league, so stay tuned!

Rugby Union vs Rugby League: A Comparison

Rugby union and rugby league share a common heritage but have evolved into distinct games. With 15 players on each side in union versus 13 in league, the games create a different dynamic on the field.

In rugby union, the tackled player must release the ball, allowing both teams to compete for it. This generates rucks (when one or more players from each team, who are on their feet, close around the ball on the ground) and mauls (when the ball carrier is held up and one or more players from each team engage). These elements make rugby union somewhat more chaotic but also more strategic, with control of the pitch more valuable than in rugby league.

Contrastingly, rugby league employs a “play-the-ball” system, where the tackled player gets up and rolls the ball back to a teammate with their foot. The team maintains possession for a set of six tackles before it’s handed over to the opposition. The game is faster and more structured, with emphasis on speed and ball handling, although rugby league is not as popular or widespread as rugby union.

Ultimately, while union and league share the name “rugby”, the games have evolved differently and offer unique experiences to players and spectators alike. Thankfully, almost all online sportsbooks with rugby markets let you bet on both games, so you’ll never struggle to find the market you’re looking for!

A Brief History of Rugby

Rugby football has its roots in the early 19th century, born out of traditional soccer games played at England’s Rugby School. By 1871, the Rugby Football Union was formed, coming up with the rules of what we now know as rugby union.

However, disputes over player payment led to a split in 1895, with many northern clubs forming the Northern Rugby Football Union, which later became the Rugby Football League. These clubs needed to compensate players for missed work time, unlike their wealthier southern counterparts, which is what actually started rugby league.

Initially, the two games remained quite similar. However, over time, rugby league began to introduce changes to make the game faster and more spectator-friendly, including reducing the number of players from 15 to 13, and introducing the play-the-ball and limited tackle rules.

Interestingly, rugby union remained an amateur sport until 1995 when it officially turned professional. From this point, it began to increase in popularity internationally, with the Rugby World Cup gaining significant global attention. While it’s yet to make much of an impact in the US, more US rugby union clubs are opening than before, and this trend is likely to continue.

Still wondering what is the difference between rugby league and rugby union? Then keep reading!

Player Count: League vs Union

Rugby union and rugby league differ not only in their rules and gameplay but also in the number of players on the field. Rugby union is played with 15 players per team, while rugby league is played with 13. This difference in player count impacts the strategies and dynamics of the game.

In rugby union, there are eight forwards and seven backs. The forwards, larger and stronger, are primarily involved in gaining and retaining possession of the ball. The backs, generally smaller, faster, and more agile, are the main ball carriers and aim to score tries.

In rugby league, there are six forwards and seven backs. The reduced number of players in rugby league leads to a more open and faster game. The forwards in rugby league are similar to those in union, but the backs have more opportunities to run with the ball due to the different rules.

The table below provides a comparison of the player positions in rugby union and rugby league:

Rugby Union Positions Rugby League Positions
8 Forwards 6 Forwards
7 Backs 7 Backs
Total: 15 Players Total: 13 Players

Scoring System: A Key Difference

In both rugby union and rugby league, points can be scored through tries, conversions, penalties, and drop goals. However, the value assigned to each of these scoring methods differs between the two codes, influencing the strategies and tactics used by teams.

In rugby union, a try is worth five points and a successful conversion adds an additional two points. Penalties and drop goals are each worth three points. This scoring system encourages teams to prioritize tries, the highest-scoring method, over penalties or drop goals. The five-point try and the potential for a two-point conversion mean that a successful try can significantly shift the balance of a game.

In contrast, rugby league awards four points for a try, with two additional points for a successful conversion. Penalties are worth two points, and drop goals are worth one point. This scoring system creates a more balanced approach, where tries, penalties, and drop goals all play significant roles in a team’s strategy. The lower point value for tries in rugby league compared to rugby union means that teams must often rely on a combination of scoring methods to secure victory.

Tackling Rules: Union and League

In both rugby union and rugby league, the basic tackling rules are similar: a player can only be tackled below the shoulders, and a high tackle (above the shoulders) is usually penalized. However, the actions after a tackle differ significantly in each game.

In rugby union, when a player is tackled, they must immediately release the ball. This creates a “ruck”, where players from both teams can contest for the ball. Players entering the ruck must do so from their own side and must remain on their feet. The objective of the defensive team is to push over the ball to win possession.

However, in rugby league, the tackled player performs a “play-the-ball”, rolling the ball backward with their foot to a teammate. The tackled player’s team maintains possession for a set of five tackles, after which they usually kick for territory or to attempt a score if in range. If a team is tackled six times, possession is given to the opposition. Defending players must retreat 10 meters after each tackle to give the attacking team space, creating a more structured and repetitive set-play structure.

The aim of rugby league’s rules is to maintain a flowing game with fewer stoppages, whereas union has a greater emphasis on contesting possession, with the potential for the ball to change hands more frequently after tackles.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the following section, we will address some frequently asked questions about rugby union vs rugby league. These questions cover various aspects of the two games, with a look at the different rules and gameplay to the history and player roles. If you're still asking about rugby league vs rugby union differences, make sure to keep reading!

What are the main differences between rugby union and rugby league?

Rugby union and rugby league are distinct variants of rugby, with unique rules. Union teams consist of 15 players, while league teams have 13. After a tackle in union, a ruck forms, and players from both teams can contest the ball, while in league, the tackled player rolls the ball backward to a teammate, and the team keeps possession for six tackles.

What is the history of rugby?

Rugby originated in England's Rugby School in the 19th century. It evolved into two different sports, rugby union and rugby league, following a split in 1895 over disputes around player payment. Initially, union and league had similar rules, but over time, league introduced changes to create a faster, more viewer-friendly game, reducing the player count from 15 to 13, changing the scoring system, and implementing the "play-the-ball" system.

What are the differences in player counts?

When looking at rugby union vs rugby league, the player count differs significantly. Union teams have 15 players, broken down into eight forwards and seven backs. This structure often leads to teams focusing on maintaining control over pitch territory. In contrast, rugby league teams have 13 players, with six forwards and seven backs. The reduced player count creates more space on the field, allowing for faster, more fluid gameplay.

What's the difference in scoring?

The scoring systems in rugby union and rugby league are actually pretty different - and they directly shape the strategies and tactics in each game. In union, a try is worth 5 points. The subsequent conversion kick is worth 2 points. Alternatively, penalty kicks and drop goals each score 3 points. In league, a try is worth 4 points, while the conversion kick scores 2 points. Penalty kicks also score 2 points, while drop goals are worth 1 point. These differences can heavily influence teams' scoring strategies during matches.

How do the tackling rules differ?

In both rugby union and rugby league, players can tackle opponents below the shoulders. However, the actions post-tackle vary significantly. In union, once a player is tackled, they must release the ball, resulting in a ruck where players from both teams can contest for the ball. In league, a tackled player performs a 'play-the-ball', rolling it back to a teammate, and the team retains possession for a set of six tackles.
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