The Object of the Game is that two teams of fifteen players each, should by carrying, passing, kicking and grounding the ball score as many points as possible; the team scoring the greater number of points being the winner of the match.

Scoring Points

• Try: This happens when a player grounds the ball (applies pressure on the ball) in the opponents in-goal area. This is worth 5 points.
• Penalty Try: A Penalty Try is given when an opponent would've scored a try but the opponent commits foul play. This too is worth 5 points.
• Conversion Goal: A conversion is kicked when a players team scores a try and has the opportunity to gather 2 extra points.
• Penalty: A penalty, worth 3 points, is scored when a player kicks a goal from a penalty kick. A penalty is awarded when an opponent commits a foul.
• Dropped Goal: Finally, a drop goal, also worth 3 points, is scored when a player kicks a goal from a drop kick in general play.

Off-side and On-side in General Play

Off- and on-sides are rules players often get penalized for. I'm going to try to explain this rule in the most simple way as possible, without trying to cause any confusion. Ya right!

• In General Play: A player is in an off-side position if he is in front of a team-mate who is carrying the ball, or in front of a team-mate who last played the ball. Off-sides means that a player is temporarily out of the game and is liable to be penalized if he takes part in the play. The player must either be put on-side by a team-mate or opponent, or move away from the ball.

• Off-side at a Kick: A player is offside if he is in front of a team-mate who has kicked the ball ahead. He must retire until the player or an on-side team-mate has put him on-side.

• Off-side at a Knock-on: When a player knocks-on and an off-side team-mate plays the ball, the off-side player is liable to be penalized if playing the ball prevented the opposition from advantage.

• Off-side at a Scrum, Ruck, Maul or Line-out: A player is off-side in the relevant parts of that play if he is in front of the imaginary off-side line. This line is behind the last point (e.g. team-mates feet in a scrum) in that play.

Positions and Numbering

FORWARDS 1 - Loose Head Prop 2 - Hooker 3 - Tight Head Prop 4 - Lock 5 - Lock 6 - Blindside Flank 7 - Openside Flank 8 - Eightman BACKS 9 - Scrumhalf 10 - Flyhalf 11 - Left Wing 12 - Inside Center 13 - Outside Center 14 - Right Wing 15 - Fullback

This is the setpiece setup of the scrum with the team in possession of the ball, and, consequently being the attacking team. If defending, the backline may move up to, but not ahead of, the offside line (which would be the Eightmans feet)