Scoring

At the end of the day, everybody wants to score, right? In some sports, scoring is only done one way, like crossing the plate or putting the ball in the net. But in rugby, not only are there multiple ways to score, the points are different too!

Try (5 points)

The largest bunch of points you can get in a single play, the try is accomplished by any player grounding the ball in their opponent’s in-goal area (the end zone). Grounding literally means touching the ball down to the ground with force. That means you cannot just run into the in-goal area with the ball in tow or spike it down. In fact, if a defender tackles you in the in-goal area and prevents you from grounding the ball, the ball is dead! You earn 5 points for a try.

Conversion (2 points)

A conversion is an attempt to kick the ball through the goalposts after a try is scored. After a try is scored, the ball can be placed in line with where the try was grounded. The kicker chooses how far back they want to place the ball. Since the spot where the ball is grounded impacts the angle at which a conversion is attempted, you will often see players try to run to the middle of the in-goal area before they ground it. A conversion can be attempted via a drop kick or a place kick. It is worth 2 points.

Penalty (3 points)

During open play, the referee may award a penalty for infractions. After a penalty is awarded to your team, you may choose to attempt to kick a penalty for points. Like a conversion, you must kick through the goalposts. Penalties are worth 3 points.

Drop Goal (3 points)

At any time during open play, a player may attempt to kick the ball through the goalposts. This must be done via a dropkick and is one of the rarer moments in rugby. However, they do make for some of the most memorable scores in history.

Penalty Try (7 points)

A penalty try can be awarded by the referee if he determines that a foul prevented an obvious try. No conversion is attempted.