The game of rugby union sees 15 players from each team fight for victory. The bench is an additional 8 people who can come in at any time to replace fallen teammates or need more experience on their feet during play.
The starting 15 is a mix of forwards and backs. There are eight players in all, including props, Hooker/Lock(s), Flankers & Centre Set-piece specialist. Fly-half/scrumhalf combo as well as left-wing or right-hand side wings to round out your team’s formation into one that defences will have trouble lining up against!
If a player needs to be replaced on the field, they can do so at any time. Once their blood has been replaced and/or replenished with new supplies of red liquid goodness then that athlete will still have enough temporary vitality left for them to come back into play if needed!
The sin bin is a place where players who receive yellow cards go, and it can temporarily reduce your team down to 14 or fewer people for 10 minutes.
The coach’s red card is a Sports Injury that permanently reduces the size of your team to 14 or fewer players for the rest of the game.
Top-level rugby union matches have TMOs (television match officials) who are constantly reviewing all the action in case a referee on the field misses something.
Points are awarded for tries (five), conversions(two) penalty kicks and drop goals between the posts.
When the scoring of a try is prevented by foul play, then there is an opportunity for an exciting penalty try.
Unlike soccer, time keeps moving during a rugby match. There’s no break in play to await the clock or any other interruptions- just an endless game of possession that can go on for hours!
The game of rugby is full contact and fast-paced. Two halves are played, with the team that has more points at the end-of second period winning!
