Tournament Play

As far as the culture of rugby, the games are closely intertwined, yet the structure of a 7s competition is vastly different from 15s. Instead of having a single, season-long competition, the 7s season is broken into multiple weekend-long tournaments. Between four and six games are played in a day, with up to eight taking place during a weekend Rugby Sevens tournament.

The Speed

Constant starting and stopping, the need for speed and agility coupled with solid ball handling become the tools many players reach for when it’s game time. Take a kickoff, hit a ruck, defend an attack, repeat. Breaks come few and far between with cool down / warm up time between games often shorter than the time between halves. The fast paced round robin atmosphere of a rugby 7s tournament can quickly weed out those who haven’t prepared themselves with proper training and nutrition.

Law differences in Rugby 7s

What is the “legal” difference between rugby 7s and 15s you ask? The standard laws of rugby (rules) are used – with a few small variations, including:

Law 3. Number of players and substitution – in rugby 7s, there are only 7 players on the field from each team at any given time. (Unless of course you’re the All Blacks, who are apparently allowed to play with 8 blokes randomly.) For everyone else, though, its 7-a-side rugby. Each team is allowed to have 5 reserves but may only use three of those reserves during the game. More on this from USA Rugby.

Law 5. Time (Game time, half time and extra time). A game of rugby 7s is constructed of two 7-minute halves. That makes it a 14-minute game. The only exception to this is during the final round of tournament play where halves are extended to 10 minutes. It’s not uncommon for a half of 7s to last well past the 7 or 10-minute mark. Play continues in rugby until there is a stoppage.

Law 6. Match Officials. There are a couple of extra duties that the central referee must perform. But the main difference is the addition of “in-goal” referees who assist with adjudication on Tries. This is designed to keep tournaments running on time. It avoids the needs for instant replay and a fourth official.

Positional differences in Rugby 7s

What are the positions in rugby sevens? How do these differ from 15s rugby?

Because Rugby 7s demands greater speed and agility as well as more refined skills, it’s a game more for backs than for forwards. There are (unfortunately) very few front-rowers who can easily transition from playing 15s to playing 7s rugby. In general, rugby 7s players are smaller, faster, agiler and more skilled than their 15s rugby counterparts. This makes the sport much faster, and some would say (though I wouldn’t) more entertaining to watch. It’s certainly more explosive and high-energy.

Prop x2

Props in Rugby 7s are typically the largest players on the field. They’re responsible for winning set-piece (restart, scrum, and lineout) ball. Transitioning to prop in rugby 7s is usually easiest for players who are Flankers, Number 8s or Larger Centers in the 15s game. For more on how to play prop in 7s, go here.

Hooker

Hooker is Rugby 7s are also on the larger side. They’re skilled players who are able to cover a lot of ground and pass well from the base of the Ruck or tackle situation. Transitioning to hooker in rugby 7s will be easiest for a Flanker or perhaps a larger Fullback in 15s. For more on playing Hooker in 7s, go here.

Scrum-Half

A rugby 7s Scrum-Half is one of the most skillful players on a 7s team. They often take kickoffs and defend as the sweeper. Transitioning to scrum-half in 7s is easiest for scrum-halves, fly-halves and skillful wingers in the 15s game. For more on playing scrum-half in 7s, checkout this article by Dallen Stanford.

Fly-half

If you have thoughts of playing Fly-half in Rugby 7s, you’ll need to be an exceptionally skillful player. Passing off both hands is a must. A varied kicking game is highly preferable. You’ll also need to be super-quick off the mark. Players who transition most easily to playing fly-half in rugby 7s will mostly be fly-halves or scrum-halves in 15s rugby. More on playing fly-half here.

Center

Want to play Center in 7s rugby? You’ll need to be fast, skilled and an excellent defender. Wingers can often cover up for the defensive lapses by being fast. But Centers need to cover multiple attackers and slide from one to another with ease. This makes it one of the most difficult rugby 7s positions. Usually reserved for Centers and Fullbacks in 15s rugby who have experience covering multiple attackers moving at pace through the line.

Wing

Rugby 7s Wingers are the fastest guys/girls on the field. They’re able to hit top speed in an instant and ideally, they’ll have a filthy step off either foot even when they’re in top gear. Centers, Wingers, and Fullbacks in the 15s game will find it easiest to transition to being a Rugby 7s Winger. More on playing wing here.