A Quick Overview
Rugby 7s matches take place on a full-size rugby pitch. As the name suggests, it’s contested by seven players per team instead of 15, and consists of two halves of seven minutes each.
With more room to roam and little time to waste, the result is a version of the game that is shorter, faster and higher scoring, with a try scored on average every 70 seconds!
Other than these notable changes, the Game is played to the standard rules of Rugby.
Points are scored as follows:
- A Try (Five Points)
A try is scored by running the ball to the end of your opponent’s half of the field and grounding it beyond the goal line - A Conversion (Two Points)
After scoring a try, a team is given a free attempt to kick the ball over the crossbar and between the posts. - A Drop Goal (Three Points)
During open play, a player may attempt to kick the ball over the crossbar and between the posts. - A Penalty (Three Points)
Foul play will see an opponent given a free shot to kick the ball over the crossbar and between the posts.
Due to the short nature of Rugby 7s matches, the tournament will be played over the course of just three days at Birmingham 2022.
Previous Commonwealth Games Appearances
Men’s Rugby 7s has been played at every Commonwealth Games since Kuala Lumpur 1998, with a women’s event played for the first time at Gold Coast 2018. It is a core sport on the programme, meaning that it will be played at all future Games.
Fun Fact
New Zealand won every single Commonwealth Games men’s Rugby 7s tournament until losing in the final to South Africa at Glasgow 2014. However, they regained their title at Gold Coast 2018, with the New Zealand women’s team making it a unique double.
