RUGBY LEAGUE EXPLAINED

WHAT IS RUGBY LEAGUE?

For many Canadians, the term “rugby” is commonly associated with the 15-a-side version of the game known as Rugby Union. Rugby League, however, is a 13-a-side sport with its own rules, culture, and global history.

Rugby League has been introduced to Canada more recently, with much of its growth driven by increased exposure through professional teams such as the Toronto Wolfpack, the world’s first trans-Atlantic professional sports team to compete in the top division of England’s professional rugby league system, and the Ottawa Aces, who helped further raise awareness of the sport nationally.

Globally, Rugby League has a rich and historic legacy, having separated from Rugby Union in 1895. This split occurred largely due to social and economic inequality in England, as working-class players sought fair compensation and greater access to the game. From these roots, Rugby League developed into a fast-paced, physical, and spectator-friendly sport played around the world today.

THE RULES OF RUGBY LEAGUE

For Canadians familiar with Rugby Union, Rugby League may initially appear similar, while those with a football (gridiron) background often recognize elements comparable to the concept of “downs.”

General Play

Rugby League is played with 13 players per side
The ball must be passed backwards and can only be advanced forward by running or kicking
Play restarts through a “play-the-ball” after a tackle, where the tackled player stands and rolls the ball backward with their foot
Knock-ons (dropping the ball forward) and forward passes result in a scrum
Tries are scored by grounding the ball in the in-goal area and can be followed by a conversion kick
Drop goals may be scored during open play

The Six-Tackle Rule

Similar to the concept of “downs” in football, a team in possession has six tackles to advance the ball. If they fail to score or kick strategically by the sixth tackle, possession is turned over to the opposing team.

Defensive Structure

There is no line of scrimmage
After each tackle, defenders must retreat 10 metres before advancing
This spacing creates more room, speed, and attacking opportunities than in Union or Football

A Faster, More Open Game

Rugby League is known for being fast-paced and highly spectator-friendly. The game features:

Fewer stoppages than Rugby Union
No contested rucks or repeated scrum resets
No huddles as seen in Football
Continuous flow and rapid restarts

As a result, Rugby League demands exceptional fitness, high involvement, and more touches of the ball per player compared to Union or Football, making it exciting for both players and fans.

THE DIFFERANCES BETWEEN RUGBY LEAGUE & RUGBY UNION

WHERE IS RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYED?

Rugby League is played worldwide, with its strongest professional competitions based in Australia and England.

Australia is home to the National Rugby League (NRL), one of the world’s premier professional sporting competitions, which also includes a team based in New Zealand. England’s professional system features clubs from across the country, with one team located in France, reflecting the sport’s international reach.

Rugby League is the national sport of Papua New Guinea and is also widely played and supported in countries such as New Zealand, France, Wales, Ireland, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, and Lebanon, among others.