A
team can score in 3 ways, a try, conversion or goal:
TRY: Whereas in American football the major score is
called a touchdown, in rugby this score is called a "try".
[Note: A "touch-down" in rugby is similar to a touchback in
American football. It occurs when a player grounds the ball in his own
in-goal, keeping the attacking team from being able to score on that play.
There is no "safety" as in American football.]
A try occurs when the player of one team manages to carry the ball over
the opponent?s goal line, except that the player must carry the ball into
AND GROUND IT in his own in-goal. "Breaking the plane of the goal
line" is not relevant. A try must be scored by grounding the ball,
or touching it to the ground, in the opponents' "in-goal".
The team which scores a try is rewarded 5 points, and
a chance to "convert" (i.e., score a conversion).
CONVERSION: This occurs after a player has scored a try.
This kick is attempted from any distance the kicker wishes in the field
of play, but must be in a straight line out from the point where the ball
was touched down in the try. His team is given a chance to kick the ball
between the opponent?s goal post and over the crossbar. If they do so
successfully, the team is awarded another 2 points along with the 5 from
the try already scored. Each team usually has at least one player who
has a specialty as a kicker. Think of this player as a placekicker in
football who otherwise plays in the regular formations.
GOAL: A "drop-goal" is scored during play when
instead of attempting to score a try, a player drop-kicks the ball between
the opponents goal post and over the crossbar. His team is awarded 3 points.
This play is not very commonly seen.
Another way to score a "goal" is a penalty kick--a free kick
taken from the point of the infraction and worth three points if successful.
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