Rugby league Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Rugby league
Characteristics
An attacking player attempts to evade two defenders
Highest governing body	Rugby League International Federation
Nicknames	League, RL, Rugby XIII (used throughout Europe) League, footy, football (used throughout the Oceania regions)
First played	7 September 1895, Yorkshire Northern England. (Post schism)
Contact	Full contact
Team members	Thirteen
Mixed-sex	Single
Type	Team sport, Outdoor
Equipment	Rugby League ball
Venue	Rugby league playing field

Rugby League is an exciting team sport played with an oval-shaped ball. Two teams, each with thirteen players, compete on a rectangular field. This field is about 100 meters long and 70 meters wide. A game of Rugby League lasts for 80 minutes, split into two halves of 40 minutes each.

How to Score Points in Rugby League
- Scoring a Try
- Conversions and Other Goals
Where Rugby League is Played
- Top Rugby League Nations
- The Rugby League World Cup
Images for kids
See also

How to Score Points in Rugby League

In Rugby League, teams score points in a few different ways. The main way to score is by getting a "try."

Scoring a Try

A try is scored when a player carries or touches the ball down in the opponent's in-goal area. This area is behind the goal posts. A try is worth 4 points. It is the most important way to score.

Conversions and Other Goals

After scoring a try, the team gets a chance to kick a "conversion." The goal kicker tries to kick the ball between the top of the goal posts. If successful, the team earns an extra 2 points. Other ways to score include "drop goals," which are worth 1 point, and "penalty goals," which are worth 2 points.

Where Rugby League is Played

Rugby League is played in over 30 countries around the world. It is very popular in some nations.

Top Rugby League Nations

The countries where Rugby League is played the most include Australia, England, Ireland, and New Zealand. These countries often have strong teams and big competitions.

The Rugby League World Cup

The Rugby League World Cup is a major international tournament. Many countries have competed in it. These include Australia, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Wales, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Scotland, United States, Italy, Cook Islands, Lebanon, Russia, and South Africa. New Zealand won the World Cup in 2008. Before that, Australia had won every World Cup since 1975.