Rugby may look a lot like football, but it can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the terminology. With that in mind, here’s a quick reference guide to some of the terms you’ll hear throughout Saturday’s match between the USA Eagles and the New Zealand All Blacks. All Blacks player Kieran Read helped us out, too.
Test
A match between two international sides. The Nov. 1 match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the USA Eagles qualifies as a test. An example of a regular game would be if the USA Eagles competed against a Chicago team.
Try
The scoring play worth the highest amount of points in rugby (5). A try is scored when a player runs over the goal line and touches the ball to the ground. This is similar to if a rushing touchdown in football, except the player must down the ball, not simply run into the end zone.
Conversion
Once a try is scored, the team that scored attempts a conversion, which is worth another two points. A player must kick the ball over the crossbar and between the two posts, like a field goal. It is kicked from a place in line where the try was scored.
Penalty goal
When the opposing team is penalized, a team can choose to kick at the goal. A penalty goal is worth three points.
Drop goal
A drop goal is worth three points. A player kicks the ball through the goal posts during general play.
Scrum
This occurs when restarting a game after a stoppage in play. Eight forwards push against the opposing eight forwards and the ball is thrown in the middle of the tunnel between the two rows of forwards. They use their feet to try and control the ball so another player (a position called number eight) controls it.
“It’s interesting; you’ll probably enjoy the scrum once you see it,” Read said.
Ruck
After a player is tackled and the ball is on the ground (a player must release the ball when tackled), players on each team who are on their feet can attempt to gain possession, but they can only use their feet to handle the ball until they are out of the ruck.
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Offside
This rule is to ensure players have space to attack and defend. A player generally cannot be ahead of the teammate with the ball. An offside player can’t participate in play until they are onside.
Emily Brown is a RedEye special contributor.