What Does “One of Five Awarded for a Try in Rugby” Really Mean?
Have you ever watched a rugby match and heard the phrase “one of five awarded for a try in rugby” and wondered what it really means? Rugby, unlike many sports, has a complex scoring system with different ways to add points, but at the heart of it lies the try.
A try is the most exciting and celebrated way to score in Rugby Union, and it is worth five points. Yet, why exactly is it five points? How do conversions, penalty goals, drop goals, and penalty tries fit into the system? And how did the scoring structure evolve into what we know today?
To answer these questions, let us take a closer look at rugby’s scoring system, the importance of the try, and how the game rewards attacking play.
What Does “One of Five Awarded for a Try in Rugby” Mean?
The phrase refers to the five points a team receives for successfully grounding the ball in the opponent’s in-goal area. In Rugby Union, a try is awarded in two main scenarios.
First, when a player carrying the ball touches it down in the in-goal area with control. Second, when downward pressure is applied with the hands, arms, or upper body to a ball that is already grounded within the in-goal area.
Unlike in many sports where scoring is achieved through a single method, rugby makes the try the centerpiece of its system. It is the most common and rewarding way to score, as five points can significantly shift momentum in a match.
The phrase “one of five awarded for a try in rugby” emphasizes this scoring value and highlights how central the try is to the sport.
How Are Points Scored in Rugby Union?
In Rugby Union, there are several ways to score, each carrying its own value and level of difficulty. The try is worth five points, but teams also have opportunities to add to their score through other methods.
- Conversion (2 points): After a try, the scoring team has the chance to attempt a kick at goal. The ball must pass between the posts and over the crossbar. The location of the kick is in line with where the try was scored, which is why players often aim to ground the ball closer to the posts.
- Penalty Goal (3 points): Awarded when the opposing team commits an infringement. The attacking side may attempt a place kick or a drop kick from the spot of the foul.
- Drop Goal (3 points): Scored in open play when a player drops the ball and kicks it as it bounces, sending it between the posts.
- Penalty Try (7 points): Given when foul play prevents a probable try. Unlike a standard try, no conversion is needed, as the seven points are awarded automatically.
This variety of scoring options gives rugby its unique balance between attacking flair and tactical precision.
Why Is a Try Worth Five Points?
The value of the try was not always five points. In fact, when rugby was first played in the nineteenth century, a try carried no direct points at all. Instead, it allowed the attacking team the chance to “try” for a goal, which was then the primary method of scoring.
Over time, the sport evolved. As spectators and players alike began to appreciate the excitement of tries, rugby authorities gradually increased their value. In 1971, the try was worth four points, and in 1992, it was raised to five. This change was made to encourage attacking rugby and reduce over-reliance on penalty goals.
By making the try the most rewarding form of scoring, the game promoted open play, teamwork, and dynamic movement rather than constant kicking contests.
How Important Is the Conversion Kick After a Try?
While the try itself is worth five points, the conversion that follows can be decisive in tight matches. A successful conversion adds two more points, bringing the total to seven. The placement of the try often influences the difficulty of the conversion.
A try grounded near the touchline forces a difficult kick from a sharp angle, while one near the posts allows a straightforward attempt.
Conversions are usually place kicks, but in variations of the game like Rugby Sevens, drop kicks are the norm. Some of rugby’s greatest players have built their reputations on their accuracy with conversions.
New Zealand’s Daniel Carter, for instance, holds the record for the most successful conversions in Rugby World Cup history, with 58 to his name. His consistency from the kicking tee was a crucial factor in the All Blacks’ dominance.
What Role Do Penalty Goals Play in Rugby?
A penalty goal, worth three points, is often the safer and more tactical option when a team is awarded a penalty. Instead of kicking for touch or attempting to score a try, teams may choose to take the points on offer. The kicker is allowed one minute to prepare, and the opposition cannot charge until the ball is kicked.
Penalty goals have often shaped the outcome of high-stakes matches. For instance, in tightly contested international games where defenses are difficult to break down, penalty goals provide a reliable way of keeping the scoreboard moving.
They also demonstrate the value of discipline, as conceding penalties in dangerous areas can quickly punish a defending side.
How Does a Drop Goal Work in Rugby?
The drop goal, worth three points, is one of the most skillful yet rarest ways to score. It is executed during open play when a player drops the ball and kicks it as it touches the ground. Precision, timing, and composure are required, especially under defensive pressure.
A famous example came in the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final, when England’s Jonny Wilkinson scored a dramatic drop goal in extra time against Australia. That single kick sealed England’s victory and remains one of rugby’s most iconic moments.
Drop goals are less common in modern rugby due to the emphasis on tries, but they remain a valuable weapon in close encounters.
Why Is a Penalty Try Awarded Seven Points?
The penalty try is a unique feature of rugby scoring. It is awarded when the referee decides that foul play by the defending team prevented a probable try from being scored. Instead of granting only five points, the penalty try comes with a full seven points, without requiring a conversion attempt.
This rule emphasizes fairness and discourages cynical or dangerous play near the try line. By awarding seven points directly under the posts, rugby ensures that teams are not robbed of deserved opportunities through deliberate fouls.
What Is the Bonus Point System in Rugby Competitions?
In addition to match points from scoring during play, rugby competitions often use a bonus point system to encourage attacking play. Teams earn:
- Four points for a win
- Two points for a draw
- One bonus point for scoring four or more tries
- One bonus point for losing by seven points or fewer
This system ensures that matches remain competitive until the final whistle. Even losing teams can collect valuable points in the standings, while teams that attack and score multiple tries are rewarded. It also creates more incentive for exciting, high-scoring rugby, benefiting both players and spectators.
How Do Rugby Union and Rugby League Compare in Scoring?
Although both forms of rugby share similarities, their scoring systems differ. Rugby League uses a four-point try, while Rugby Union uses five. Penalty goals and drop goals are also worth fewer points in League.
| Scoring Method | Rugby Union | Rugby League |
|---|---|---|
| Try | 5 points | 4 points |
| Conversion | 2 points | 2 points |
| Penalty Goal | 3 points | 2 points |
| Drop Goal | 3 points | 1 point |
| Penalty Try | 7 points | N/A |
These differences influence the way each game is played. Rugby Union often focuses on set pieces and tactical kicking, while Rugby League emphasizes faster play and more frequent scoring.
Why Does the Phrase Still Matter Today?
The phrase “one of five awarded for a try in rugby” is more than a reference to points. It reflects rugby’s philosophy of rewarding attacking, running rugby. By making the try the most valuable form of scoring, Rugby Union ensures that the game remains dynamic and entertaining.
From international tournaments like the Rugby World Cup to local club competitions, the five-point try is the heartbeat of the sport. Whether supported by a successful conversion, backed by penalty goals, or compared with Rugby League’s four-point version, the try remains central to rugby’s identity.
Conclusion
At first glance, the phrase “one of five awarded for a try in rugby” may sound like a puzzle, but its meaning is simple: a try in Rugby Union is worth five points. Yet behind those five points lies a history of change, a balance of strategy, and a celebration of rugby’s attacking spirit.
With additional opportunities through conversions, penalty goals, drop goals, and the unique penalty try, the scoring system rewards creativity and fairness.
Bonus point systems in competitions further add to rugby’s uniqueness, ensuring teams always have something to play for. Ultimately, the try is not only a way to score it is a symbol of the game itself, the moment that brings crowds to their feet and often determines who wins and who loses.
FAQs
Why is a try called a “try” in rugby?
The word “try” comes from the sport’s early rules, where grounding the ball did not award points but gave the team a chance to “try” for a goal.
When was the try made worth five points?
The five-point try was introduced in 1992, increasing the value from four points to promote more open, attacking rugby.
Can a penalty try ever be converted?
No. A penalty try automatically counts for seven points, with no conversion attempt required.
What is the difference between Rugby Union and Rugby League scoring?
Union awards five points for a try, while League awards four. Penalty and drop goals are also worth more in Union than in League.
Why are conversions sometimes missed?
Conversions can be difficult if a try is scored near the touchline, creating sharp kicking angles that reduce accuracy.
How does the bonus point system change competitions?
It encourages teams to score more tries and remain competitive, rewarding both attacking play and narrow defeats.
What is the rarest way to score in rugby?
The drop goal is the rarest, as it requires exceptional skill and timing, and is often attempted only in crucial match situations.
