Rugbys Critical Try: Worth 5 Points
In rugby, a try is one of the most significant scoring actions during a game. When a player successfully grounds the ball in the opposition's in-goal area, it is considered a try. A try is worth 5 points in rugby, making it the highest-scoring individual action available to a team. However, scoring a try is only the first step towards accumulating points for a team's total score.
Conversion Kick Turns 5 Points to 7
In rugby, scoring a try is worth 5 points. However, until 1891, a try was not awarded any points. Originally, a try only allowed the team that scored it to attempt a kick at goal, hence the term 'try' as it gave the team an opportunity to 'try' for extra points. It wasn't until later that the scoring system was revised to award 5 points directly for a try, making it one of the most valuable ways to score in the sport.
To convert a try into further points, a team is given the opportunity to take a conversion kick. This kick is taken from a spot in line with where the try was scored, but a distance away from the try line. If the kick is successful and the ball goes through the uprights of the opposition's goal, the team is awarded an additional 2 points. Therefore, a successful conversion kick after a try increases the total point value of the try to 7.
Additional points can boost team scores
Apart from conversion kicks, teams also have the opportunity to score additional points through penalty kicks and drop goals. Penalty kicks are awarded when the opposition commits a foul, and the team can decide to attempt a kick at goal. If the kick is successful, the team is awarded 3 points. A drop goal, on the other hand, can be attempted during open play. If the ball is drop-kicked over the opposition's goal during play, the team is credited with 3 points.
Rugby Scoring: Beyond 5 Points
A fun fact about how many points is a try in rugby is that originally, in early forms of the game, a try was not awarded any points at all! It was simply a way to 'try' and touch the ball down behind the opponent's goal line. The points were only awarded for the subsequent conversion kick, where the ball had to be kicked through the goal posts, with the conversion being worth more than the actual try itself. Luckily, this rule has changed over time and now a try is awarded 5 points, bringing more excitement and importance to this thrilling aspect of the game.
In summary, a try in rugby is worth 5 points. However, teams have the opportunity to earn more points through conversion kicks, penalty kicks, and drop goals. It is through a combination of these scoring actions that teams aim to accumulate a higher total score than the opposition and secure victory in a rugby match.