5 factors for a strive, three for a penalty and the whole lot else it’s worthwhile to find out about rugby union’s scoring system
The long-established rugby union factors system arguably helps to make the sport extra thrilling.
With tries, conversions, penalties and drop objectives every carrying completely different level values, matches can flip straight away. Certainly, not like soccer or hockey, the place a dropping staff should hit the web not less than twice to take the lead, a single rating in rugby can rework a defeat right into a victory – and vice versa.
On this information we clarify how the rugby union factors system works, and the way it’s developed because the days when scoring a strive did nothing greater than safe you a kick on the posts.
Rugby union factors system
Attempt – 5 factors
Wing Joanna Grisez scores France’s sixth strive throughout their 40-0 Six Nations 2024 win towards Wales (AFP/Getty)
In rugby’s early years, touching the ball down behind the aim line didn’t rating any factors in any respect. In an period when rugby matches have been determined by objectives scored quite than posts, it merely earned you a kick (or “strive” on the posts. Then, for a short time, the variety of tries scored was used to settle matches the place groups have been tied on objectives.
It wasn’t till the newly fashioned Worldwide Rugby Soccer Board codified the legal guidelines of the sport in 1886 – making a standardised rugby union factors system within the course of – that scoring a strive was rewarded with a degree.
In an effort to encourage attacking rugby, directors step by step elevated a strive’s worth over the course of the subsequent century. The present 5 factors for a strive system was launched in 1992, and has remained that approach ever since – although six- and even nine-point tries have additionally been trialled.
Conversion – 2 factors
The ever-reliable Leigh Halfpenny kicks a conversion for Wales (Getty Photographs)
A strive nonetheless earns you a kick at aim according to the place the ball was touched down. Within the present rugby union factors system, a profitable conversion will add an additional two factors to your rating.
Penalty strive – 7 factors
Referee Andrew Brace awards a penalty strive (Getty Photographs)
If the referee awards the attacking aspect a penalty strive, they rating seven factors with out having to kick the conversion.
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This wasn’t all the time the case as, previous to 2017, penalty tries have been transformed through a kick straight in entrance of the posts. World Rugby subsequently launched this variation to the rugby union factors system to assist velocity up the sport.
Penalty – 3 factors
England’s Emily Scarratt slots dwelling a profitable penalty towards France (Getty Photographs)
Efficiently kicking a penalty between the posts has been value three factors for almost 140 years, and this stays the case within the present rugby union factors system.
Drop aim – 3 factors
Jonny Wilkinson hits (most likely) essentially the most well-known drop aim of all time. (Getty Photographs)
Seeing as a drop aim is simply as beneficial as a penalty kick, it’s exceptional we don’t see them extra typically in fashionable rugby.
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