Rugby: Is it really that difficult?
 

I caught the last game of the Super 12 this past weekend and it just looked like you needed a group of big slow guys for the scrim and 1 or 2 fast guys to run the ball. Nobody even hustled to pick up the ball after the scrims.

What's the deal here?

-Rudey

Unfortunately the two teams were evenly matched in terms of playing style - with both of them 'heavily' weighted towards the scrum... sort like in Football or Hockey having a team focused on defense at the expense of offense.

Too true cooper. Just like most major sports, it's all about defense now.

Still pissed that the Bulls lost. I live about 10 minutes from the stadium.

Maybe I just don't get rugby but what is the point of the yard markers? I couldn't determine if there were any downs like in football.

-Rudey

My question:

From reading the rules, in either union or league, a field goal counts as much as a try.

Why don't you just kick field goals then? Same diff, right?

I love my aussie friend who hate on the NFL..."Take the pads off..." yeah, and die...

Nobody hit each other like in the NFL in the game I saw. I think they don't need pads because they're not as violent on the field. And some of them wore those weird helmets...

-Rudey

There aren't any downs. It's like soccer, it is continuos. In fact, rugby and soccer used to be the same (in England). There was a disagreement between clubs about using hands and from that on, rugby and soccer became two different sports.

A field goal is only worth 3 points. A try is 5 points with an attempt of conversion which give you an additional 2 points. Conversion is the same as an extra point in NFL football.

A penalty can also be taken, which can give a team 3 points. For a field goal to be scored, the ball must strike the ground before being kicked.

I remember learning about that at soccer ref class. The Rugby academy was the only one not to join the newly formed (at the time) FA.

Thanks for the heads up on the scoring.

So what is the point of the distance markers along the side?

In a scrum, they have to try and force the team with the ball to touch it to the ground right? How many times do they do this before it's overturn and the other team gets the ball?

-Rudey

You know, I have no idea.

No, a scrum is a restart after an accidental infringement (such as knock on). If they are close enough to the goal line, they can choose either to kick penalty or to do scum. Depending on the strategy or the score line. Scum will be done as many time as it needs or if there is an infringement (collapsing the scum, offside, etc).

The players are that are outside the scrums are usually in a set line so when the fly-half get the ball, he can throw it wide. It is the responsibility of the number 10 (fly-half) to pick up the ball and start the play. The other team cannot try to get the ball if the ball is on the side of the offense. If they do so, it is offside.