If you’ve just discovered Rugby League through the NRL, or you’re hearing people argue about “League vs Union,” you might be asking —

Wait, aren’t they the same thing?

We’re going to go ahead and advise you to never ask that again.

They may share a name, a ball, and a few bruises… but League and Union are two very different beasts.

Let’s break it down — fast, clear, and without getting buried in the rule-books.

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The Basics

	Rugby League (NRL)	Rugby Union
Main League	NRL (Australia)	Super Rugby, Six Nations, World Cup
Teams on field	13 players	15 players
Tackles allowed	6 tackles, then turnover	Unlimited tackles, every tackle is a contest for possession
Scrums	Mostly for show	Real contest, strategic
Game Length	80 minutes (40 min halves)	80 minutes (40 min halves)
Field Size	Slightly narrower	Slightly wider
Pace	Fast, constant flow, limited stops	More methodical, more stop-starts
Points System	Try = 4 points, Conversion= 2, Field Goal = 1 (2 pts. if kicked from over 40 meters).	Try = 5 points, Conversion = 2, Penalty = 3, Drop Goal = 3
Global Reach	Big in Australia, New Zealand, PNG, England	Global — huge in NZ, South Africa, UK, France

The Feel of the Game

Rugby League (NRL):

• Think fast-paced, almost like American football without pads.
• Teams move upfield in sets of 6 tackles, trying to score before turning it over.
• Big hits, fast restarts, slick passing.
• It’s about territory, control, and line breaks.
• No rucks or mauls — just clean tackles and resets.

Rugby Union:

• Kicking plays a much bigger role.
• More technical. More strategy.
• After every tackle, there’s a contest for the ball — rucks, mauls, scrums, lineouts.
• It’s like chess in a mud pit — very physical, but slower and more complex.

The Vibe

	Rugby League	Rugby Union
Casual Watchability	High – easier for new fans	Lower – takes time to understand
Scoring Frequency	More frequent	Less frequent but higher value per try
Best For…	Fast action, highlight plays	Deep tactics, global tournaments
Common Complaints	“Too simple,” “Too similar”	“Too slow,” “Too confusing”
Fans Say…	“It’s a working-class sport”	“It’s the thinking person’s game”

The Culture

NRL (Rugby League)

• Deep roots in working-class towns and suburbs
• Popular in Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle, and Papua New Guinea
• Club loyalty is intense
• Known for hard tackles, no-nonsense players, and high-scoring games

Rugby Union

• Traditionally more private school and international
• Played worldwide — from South Africa to New Zealand to Argentina
• Big on national pride (especially during the World Cup and Six Nations)
• Slower pace but epic stakes

How to Tell the Difference at a Glance

You’re probably watching Rugby League if…
✔ There are 13 players per team
✔ You hear “six tackles” or “play the ball”
✔ The ball is placed on the ground after every tackle
✔ There’s no pushing in the scrum
✔ The scoreboard is lighting up

You’re probably watching Rugby Union if…
✔ There are 15 players
✔ The ball is contested at almost every breakdown
✔ You see rucks, mauls, and actual scrum battles
✔ The ref’s blowing the whistle a lot
✔ Someone just kicked a goal from halfway

🏆 Popular Events in Each

Rugby League (NRL):

• State of Origin – NSW vs QLD
• NRL Grand Final
• Magic Round – Every team plays in one weekend
• International: Australia vs Samoa, England, PNG, etc.

Rugby Union:

• Rugby World Cup
• Six Nations – England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, Italy
• Bledisloe Cup – Australia vs New Zealand
• The Rugby Championship – AUS, NZ, South Africa, Argentina

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Which One Should You Watch?

We may be biased, but NRL is a much easier sport to get into and a great gateway into the game.

If you want speed, simplicity, and big hits — start with Rugby League / NRL.
If you’re into strategy, global rivalries, and a slower burn — give Rugby Union a shot.

They’re cousins — not clones.
And both bring something special to the table.

Curious to dive deeper into the NRL?
Check out our quick-start guide to Rugby League here or join the community to ask your questions and follow the game live.