Every point matters, especially for the sport of rugby. And a try can change the complexion of the whole game that it very well can decide the match’s outcome. Let’s find out how a try can affect who wins and who loses.
Defining the Try: Rugby’s Ultimate Score
Much like a touchdown in American football, a try is the best way to rack up points in rugby.
However, it’s more than just about crossing a line.
Completing a try means that the ball must be grounded in the in-goal area to secure the score.
The Art of Scoring a Try
There’s no better way of putting up points for your team than sprinting down the field with ball in hand and going straight to the opponent’s in-goal area.
And once you do, it’s a touch down. But wait, this is no American football and crossing the line isn’t enough. You’ve got to literally touch the ball down the field to complete the conversion.
Let’s make it simple.
Grounding the Ball:
It’s All in the Details
The score only counts the moment the player grounds the ball.
Once you cross the line, you have to press the ball with your upper body and make the ball touch the grass.
It’s that simple: ground. the. ball. Get it?
The In-Goal Area:
Your Scoring Zone
This is where the magic happens.
Imagine the end zone in American football with its own rugby flare.
The coveted space behind the goal line where the ball must be grounded and the tries are accounted as a score.
Points on the Board: What’s a Try Worth?
Now that you know how valuable tries are, just how much are their impact in the game?
Well, it depends on whether you’re playing Rugby Union or Rugby League.
Rugby Union:
The Five-Point Play
In Rugby Union, the game played at events like the Rugby World Cup, a try is worth a solid five points.
That’s a hefty chunk of the scoreboard, making tries crucial for teams looking to dominate.
Rugby League:
The Four-Point Score
Switch over to Rugby League, and a try will net you four points.
Still a big deal, just with a slightly different flavour.
Why Tries Matter: The Game-Changer
Coaches draw up a play with the ultimate goal of putting up points for your team.
And the no. 1 plan of attack will always to secure a try.
A conversion isn’t just chalking up points on the board, it also swings the momentum to your side and sends raucous crowds like that at the Twickenham Stadium in London or Eden Park in Auckland rocking.
Legends of the Try: Rugby’s Scoring Heroes
Some players become legends for their try-scoring prowess.
Take Jonah Lomu, for instance. This guy was a try-scoring machine, known for bulldozing through defences.
His ability to ground the ball in the in-goal area made him a rugby icon.
Tries vs. Other Sports: A Unique Scoring Method
Scoring a try isn’t that easy.
Compare that to a goal in football or a basket in basketball, just making a try count will see lots of physicality between the teams even before that ball hits the ground.
Just the sheer level of intensity between hulking mastodons banging bodies adds a heightened layer of excitement for rugby fans worldwide — all with the goal of securing a try.
Strategies for Scoring: More Than Just Speed
Before you think scoring a try is all about speed, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Yes, outrunning your defenders is one way to get to the in-goal area, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all there is.
Tactics, positioning, and sometimes, brute force can get you through the wall of the defense.
Quick passes and powerful scrums can open up windows of opportunity for players to find open lanes in scoring a try and push your team closer to the victory.
The Impact of Tries on Game Strategy
Understanding tries in rugby isn’t just about knowing how to score them – it’s about grasping how they shape the entire game.
Offensive Tactics:
The Hunt for Tries
Teams structure their entire offensive strategy around creating opportunities for tries. This might involve:
The goal? To maneuver the ball into a position where a player can make that crucial ground in the in-goal area.
Defensive Strategies:
Preventing the Score
On the flip side, defenses are laser-focused on preventing tries. This leads to:
It’s a constant chess match between attack and defense, all centered around the try.
Beyond the Try: The Conversion Kick
After a try is scored, teams get a chance at bonus points through a conversion kick. This adds another layer of strategy:
Tries in Professional Rugby: Where Legends Are Made
In professional rugby, like the matches you’d see at Twickenham Stadium during a Rugby World Cup, tries take on even greater significance:
The Evolution of Try Scoring
The way tries are scored has evolved with the sport:
Try Scoring Records: The Numbers Game
For the stats enthusiasts out there, try scoring records are a big deal:
These records are hotly contested and a source of pride for players and nations alike.
The Cultural Impact of Tries
In rugby-loving nations, a spectacular try can become part of national lore:
Conclusion: The Heart of Rugby
Easy to say but hard to do: that’s what a try is.
It’s not just sheer scoring, it’s also a perfect blend of strategy, skill, and most of the time, willpower — all in the goal of getting to the in-goal area and grounding the ball to lock up the score.
So next time you’re watching a match, keep an eye on how teams maneuver to score those all-important tries. It’s where the magic of rugby truly comes alive!