Rugby Union & Rugby Sevens are just two exciting forms of Rugby that offer their own style in every play.
While both share some basic rules, many critical differences keep football entertaining in both forms.
Let’s plunge into what makes these two versions of rugby special and which one you might prefer.
The Basics: How Many Players and How Long Is the Game?
Rugby Union is the traditional game with 15 players per team.
Match duration: A match shall be 80 minutes, divided into two halves of 40 minutes each.
On the other hand, Rugby Sevens would take up to 7 players in a team.
Therefore, times are much shorter: the games consist of 14 minutes of play, divided into two halves of 7 minutes each.
However, events such as Hong Kong Sevens employ longer halves lasting 10 minutes to infuse more excitement.
Field Size and Space of Rugby Union & Rugby Sevens
One surprising fact: Rugby Union and Sevens use the same-sized field. But Rugby Union, with 15 players on the field, creates more structured, tighter play.
However, Sevens, with only seven players on the field, has much more room for players to run around.
That open space makes Sevens a much quicker, blow-up game with plenty of wide, open-field action.
Scoring: Similar but Different Rules
Both versions score points through the same methods: tries, conversions, penalties, and drop goals.
The only variations pertain to conversions. In Rugby Sevens, for instance, all conversions must be drop-kicked, which is considerably more complex and may place undue pressure on the player making the kick.
Players make conversions by place-kicks in Rugby Union, which is easier to control.
Tactical Differences: Speed vs. Strategy
Rugby Sevens are all about speed and gaps that can be exposed in the defense. Because fewer players are on the field, the idea is to move the ball rapidly and look for open space.
In contrast, because of larger teams, Rugby Union can employ various complex strategies. Union teams use set plays and tactics to outsmart their opponents over a longer game.
Scrum: In Union, scrums consist of 8 players and are thus more powerful and slower. In Sevens, they consist of only 3 players, so they are less dominant and very fast.
Lineouts: In Union, lineouts involve up to 7 players, whereas Sevens only use 2 or 3 players.
Physical Demands of Rugby Union & Rugby Sevens
In physical terms, a rugby union player needs many different skills. Some sports require powerful athletes with strength, although others also need athletes with speed and agility.
In Rugby Sevens, however, each player must be fit, fast, and full of stamina. With fewer players yet more open space, Sevens must cover much ground during a game.
Significant Competitions: Where the Action Happens
The World Cup occurs every four years and is Rugby Union’s most significant competition.
The most prestigious competitions in the Sevens are the World Rugby Sevens Series and the Olympics, in which the Sevens debuted in 2016.
That fact is underlined by the venue, with the most famous of them all, as Twickenham Stadium once again plays host to both the Union and Sevens events.
Popularity and Global Reach of Rugby Union & Rugby Sevens
Rugby Union is the more established and popular version of rugby within traditionally recognized rugby countries such as England, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Nevertheless, Rugby Sevens is growing at an incredible rate. This is especially true in nations where rugby is still in its infancy.
Fast-paced, Olympic Rugby Sevens is about to capture the hearts of every fan worldwide.
Player Crossover: Can Players Do Both?
While many players excel in Union and Sevens, more and more athletes have become specialists in one format.
In reverse, some successful Union players switch to Sevens to pursue Olympic dreams; it is becoming less common to see players switch between the two formats at the highest level with such regularity.
Scrum Differences: Power vs. Speed
The scrums are huge in Rugby Union, with eight players interlocked to test strength test their opponents’ strength.
The scrums are faster in Rugby Sevens, though with fewer players-in fact, just three players. It is used mainly for a quick restart of the game.
Kicking Strategies: Different Approaches
Kicking is essential in Rugby Union, where teams use kicks to gain territory and control possession.
Kicks hardly happen in Rugby Sevens because the players prefer running with the ball, with more space on the field. Kicking in Sevens is often used for quick restarts or when a player is under pressure.
Substitutions: Managing Players
Rugby Union allows eight substitutions per game, giving teams more options to refresh players or adjust tactics.
In Rugby Sevens, teams can only make five substitutions, and once a player is subbed off, they can’t return to the game (except for certain injuries).
Tournament Structures: Different Formats
Rugby Union—including the Rugby World Cup—follows a tournament format that pits teams against their opponents once every week over several weeks.
Sevens, on the other hand, is fast-paced and compact, with teams competing in multiple games a day or a weekend.
The Hong Kong Sevens see, for example, 16 teams play 40 matches over three days-something that wouldn’t be possible in the longer, 15-a-side format of Rugby Union.
Spectator Experience: Different Vibes
Spectator Experience: Different Vibes Rugby Union matches provide a more traditional sporting experience, where the followers of the game follow the strategic flow of one game.
Rugby Sevens tournaments are more of festivals since all the action is constant with quick games, making them ideal for new fans of the sport.
Conclusion
While Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens share the same roots, they offer different experiences for players and fans.
Union is a more strategic and structured game, while Sevens is all about speed and excitement.
Whether you enjoy the deep strategies of Union or the fast, open-field play of Sevens, both versions showcase the incredible skill and athleticism that make rugby such a beloved sport around the world.
If you’re curious about how Rugby Union compares to Rugby League, be sure to read our Rugby Union vs. Rugby League blog, where we break down the key differences in rules, gameplay, and tactics between the other popular Rugby formats!