Jackal in Rugby Explained: Definition, Role & Why It Matters
Learn what a jackal is in rugby, its role in the breakdown, key techniques, rules, famous practitioners and how it impacts game outcomes.
Rugby League: Rules, Positions, and What Makes It Different
When you hear rugby league, a fast-paced, 13-player version of rugby football with simplified rules and a focus on speed and continuous play. Also known as 13-a-side rugby, it’s the version played professionally in Australia, England, and parts of the Pacific. It’s not just rugby with fewer players—it’s a different game altogether. While rugby union slows down for rucks and mauls, rugby league keeps the ball moving with six-tackle sets and a play-the-ball. That means more tries, fewer stoppages, and a rhythm that feels like basketball on grass.
The prop, a front-row forward who absorbs heavy contact in scrums and tackles, is one of the toughest roles in the sport. These players don’t run far, but they hit harder and more often than anyone else. Then there’s the halfback, the playmaker who directs attacks, kicks for territory, and often scores the most points. Unlike union, where the fly-half controls everything, league’s halfback works closely with the five-eighth to create space. And scoring? A try, worth four points and the main way teams win, is the only way to score. No conversions, no penalties for points—just pure, direct effort to ground the ball over the line.
People often confuse rugby league with rugby union, but the differences are clear. League has 13 players, union has 15. League uses six tackles to score; union uses uncontested rucks to keep possession. League games are faster, shorter, and more physical in open play. You won’t see lineouts in league—scrums are just a way to restart play, not contest possession. And while union has a global following, league thrives in specific regions: think NRL in Australia, Super League in the UK, and the Pacific Islands where it’s practically a religion.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just history or rules. It’s the real stuff: why the prop position breaks bodies, how a try is scored differently in league than in union, and even why rugby is banned in Greece—yes, that’s real. You’ll see gear guides, position breakdowns, and the truth behind scoring. Whether you’re new to the sport or you’ve watched it since you were a kid, this collection cuts through the noise. No fluff. Just what you need to understand, enjoy, and maybe even play rugby league better.