Category: Rules

How rugby union works: laws such as offside, advantage and cards, player positions and the field, scrums and set pieces, and the tactics teams use to win.

Why Kicking Matters in Rugby: A Guide to Field Position

Illustrated rugby pitch diagram showing a kick from inside the kicker's own half that bounces into touch inside the opposition 22 for a 50:22, beside the title "Why Kicking Matters in Rugby: A Guide to Field Position".

In rugby union, few skills influence the result of a match as directly as kicking. A single well-judged kick can move play 40 metres downfield, force an error, or set up a try, which is why the boot sits at the centre of how teams manage a game. This guide explains the main types of […]

Goal Line Technology in Rugby: The Smart Ball Explained

Illustration of a white rugby ball with an embedded electronic chip transmitting tracking signals as it crosses a marked try line, beside the heading "Goal line technology in rugby union: The Smart Ball, Explained".

Technology is steadily reshaping the sports we love, and rugby union is no exception. Much of the recent conversation centres on the smart ball — an electronically tracked match ball that can tell officials, almost instantly, exactly where the ball is on the field. It is often described in shorthand as “goal line technology”, borrowing […]

How Long Is a Rugby Field? Dimensions, Layout and Size Guide

Top-down diagram of a regulation rugby union pitch, labelled with 100 m between the goal lines, 70 m between the touchlines, the 22 m and 10 m lines, and in-goal areas up to 22 m deep.

Rugby union is woven into New Zealand’s sporting identity, from packed Saturday club grounds to sold-out international Tests featuring the All Blacks. Whether you are watching a match or learning the basics of how rugby is played, one of the most common questions from new supporters is simply: how long is a rugby field? The […]

Rugby Positions Explained: Complete Guide to Player Roles

Diagram of a rugby union team's 15 positions on a green field, showing the numbered forwards 1 to 8 in a scrum and the backs 9 to 15 spread across the backline, next to the heading "Rugby Positions Explained".

Curious about who does what on a rugby field? A rugby union team fields 15 players at once, and every one of them wears a jersey number that tells you their job. From the heavy-hitting forwards who win the ball to the quick backs who score with it, each role has its own skills and […]