A Comprehensive Comparison of Rugby vs. Australian Football

If you’re new to the world of rugby or Australian football, you might be wondering what the difference is between the two sports. Both are physical, fast-paced games that require a high level of skill, but that’s where the similarities end. In this blog post, we’ll take a comprehensive look at rugby vs. Australian football, outlining the key differences between the two sports. By the end, you’ll have a good understanding of which sport is right for you. 

Rugby vs. Australian Football: The Basics 

At its core, rugby is a game played with an oval-shaped ball that is meant to be kicked and passed between teammates in order to score points by crossing into the opponent’s end zone. On the other hand, Australian football is played with an oval-shaped ball that can be either kicked or handballed (a punching motion) between teammates in order to score points by passing through goalposts located at each end of the field. 

Rugby vs. Australian Football: The Field 

One of the most noticeable differences between these two sports is the size of the playing field. A regulation rugby field measures 100 meters long by 70 meters wide, while a regulation Australian football field measures 135 meters long by 110 meters wide. This size difference can have a big impact on the way each game is played. In general, due to the larger size of the playing field, Australian football is considered a more fast-paced and open game than rugby. 

Rugby vs. Australian Football: The Teams 

Another key difference between these two sports is the number of players on each team. In rugby union (the most common type of rugby), there are 15 players on each team, while in rugby league (another popular type of rugby), there are 13 players on each team. In Australian football, there are 18 players on each team. 

Rugby vs. Australian Football: The Gameplay 

Due to their different rules and regulations, rugby and Australian football are played quite differently from one another. For example, in rugby, tackling an opponent player with possession of the ball results in that player being turned over to the other team (i.e., they lose possession of the ball). However, in Australian football, tackling an opponent player results in a free kick being awarded to their teammates (i.e., they maintain possession of the ball).

As such, tackling is much more prevalent in rugby than it is in Australian football. Another big difference between these two sports is how points are scored; as we mentioned before, in order to score points in rugby, players must cross into their opponent’s end zone while carrying or kicking the ball, whereas in order to score points in Australian football, players must pass through goal posts located at each end of the playing field. 

Conclusion: 

Both rugby and Australian football are great sports that offer something unique for athletes and fans alike. If you’re still on the fence about which sport is right for you, we recommend giving them both a try! You might just find that you enjoy them both equally as much as we do!