In 2023 rugby league was viewed by over 170 million people in Australia alone. It’s a sport that, despite being around for over a century, only continues to grow in popularity. It’s perpetual development, including the introduction of new rules and modification of existing ones, has ensured that the game remains exciting and pushes players to reach ever higher athletic levels. Since its break from rugby union in the late 19th century, league has been in touch with the world around it, evolving with the times and the demands of both players and spectators.
History
The sport of Rugby League was formed in 1895 when clubs in the North of England broke from Rugby Football Union (RFU) over player’s rights. Rugby clubs wanted to compensate their players (most of whom, like their audience, were working-class) for time off work and injuries while on rugby tours. The RFU stubbornly held on to their increasingly outdated belief that the sport should remain amateur, believing “if men couldn’t afford to play, then they shouldn’t play it all”.
With that, Rugby League not only sought to make the sport professional, but it also made changes to set itself apart from Union and to appeal to its growing number of followers. As with all things in nature, those that evolve and adapt not only survive but thrive. Similarly, rugby league exploded in popularity with crowds gathering in ever increasing numbers to watch the faster paced, more entertaining version of its ancestor.
On the other side of the globe, the determination to make rugby league available to the working classes through compensation was well received by Australians. Rugby league’s willingness to adapt secured the sport’s foothold in NSW and QLD, beating Rugby Union and Aussie Rules for popularity in those states. Since its introduction to NSW and QLD in 1908, rugby league has become Australia’s most popular sport and is now known as the National Rugby League (NRL).
Today, rugby league continues to grow and evolve with players and fans. In the last few years alone rule changes have made the game even faster and more athletically demanding, increasing its entertainment value and taking player skills to new incredible heights. Competitions held within the regular season like State of Origin and Magic Round add spice to the game while allowing the best of the best players to shine and amaze audiences. Off the field, clubs are regularly involved in community projects and interact with fans who draw an immense amount of inspiration from their favourite players.
Rules
Rugby League Football (known as rugby league, league or footy) is a full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players. The game is played on a rectangular field that’s 68 metres wide and 112-122 metres long with “H” shaped goal posts at both ends.
Points are scored by the attacking side carrying an oval ball and touching it to the ground beyond the opposing team’s goal line. This is called a try and is worth four points. If a player wishes to pass the ball to another, they must do so by throwing it to the side or behind them. If the ball travels forward from the hands it is turned over to the opposing team. Once a try is scored teams have the option to add two more points by kicking the ball from a tee that’s placed in front of where the try was scored over the goal post (called a conversion). Points can also be scored from field goals worth one point by way of a drop kick (where the ball touches the ground before it is kicked). If a field goal is kicked from behind the 40-metre line, it is worth two points. Where a clear try scoring opportunity has been stopped by foul play, a penalty try may be awarded without the ball being grounded over the try line. Penalty kicks at goal may also be awarded for foul play and are worth two points.
The defending side can stop points from being scored by tackling players carrying the ball. If the attacking team is still in possession of the ball after the fifth tackle, the ball will be handed over to the other team and they will become the defending team. If an attacking team has not made much progress up field, a common tactic is to kick or punt the ball on the last tackle down towards their goal line to gain metres and not be caught defending close to the opposition’s goal line.
Video explanation of the basic rules of Rugby League, created by the NRL for promotion of the game in America.
Positions
Full Back (1)
The organiser in defence. The full back yells orders to players when in defence close to the line and provides cover for any line breaks from the opposition. If the opposition is further up the field, the full back hangs back and generally retrieves the ball from opposition punts. Then, ideally, they run at full speed to turn defence into attack and gain valuable metres.
Right Wing & Left Wing (2 & 5)
Quick and agile, the wingers provide opportunities for line breaks down the edge and, as such, generally score the most tries. Modern wingers have become highly skilled in the put down of the ball, great ones being able to score in the corner with all four limbs in the air.
Right Centre & Left Centre (3 & 4)
One position inside from their wingers are the centres. In attack their job is to create space for themselves or the winger to pass and advance down field. Speed and strength is needed for this position.
Five-Eight (6)
One of the two main play makers. In attack they are the second receiver, and their job is to initiate plays. Great five-eights feel out their opposition and create space through their quick movements and deception with the ball, creating the right play as soon as a weakness is found in opposition defence.
Half Back (7)
The organiser and play maker of the team. Half backs must be highly skilled in passing and producing a variety of kicks under pressure. Usually the main kicker for the team, they will generally have the ball on the last tackle in order to make a last play.
First Row/Prop (8 & 10)
Their job is straight forward. In attack, get the ball, run hard and run fast. The first row are the biggest on the team and can cause a lot of damage to opposition tacklers while making as many metres as possible.
Dummy-Half/Hooker (9)
Dummy-halves are there at the play the ball to provide service to their first receivers. Traditionally in a scrum, they would try and “hook” the ball away from the opposition. Scrums have changed in the modern game, but the name has stuck. Great dummy halves can spot opposition players off-side after a tackle and take advantage by running through them and gaining metres. They’re also savvy as to which play their team wants and therefore which move they should make – throw left, throw right or run with it.
Second Row (11 & 12)
Similar to the first row but faster and more agile. As well as making plenty of tackles the second row are expected to do more in attack than the front row, being there to barge in for a try.
Lock (13)
A cross between a prop and a second row forward, the lock is as big as a forward but as agile and skilled as a halves player. As well as advancing the ball by running over the opposition with their strength and size, a great lock can also act as a play maker by freeing up space for their halves to execute their plans.
