Rugby vs. Footy — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 25, 2023
Rugby is a team sport with oval ball and H-shaped goals, originating from England. Footy, informal for "football," can refer to several sports but commonly denotes Australian rules football in Australia.
Difference Between Rugby and Footy
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Rugby, rooted in England, is characterized by its oval-shaped ball, H-shaped goals, and specific tackling rules. Two major types exist: Rugby Union and Rugby League, each with its own distinct rules and number of players. Footy, on the other hand, is an informal term for "football" and, depending on the region, can allude to different games; in Australia, it primarily references Australian rules football.
In Rugby, teams aim to score by either touching the ball down in the opponent's in-goal area or kicking it through the goal posts. The sport emphasizes physicality, with tackles aiming to bring the player to the ground. Footy, when referring to Australian rules football, is played on an oval field with an oval ball. Teams score by kicking the ball between a set of tall goalposts or the shorter behind posts.
While Rugby fields are generally rectangular, Footy fields (Australian rules football) are oval. This oval shape affects the flow and dynamics of the game, with players having a wider angle of play in Footy. Additionally, in Rugby, passing the ball forwards is a violation, while Footy doesn't have such a restriction.
Comparison Chart
Shape of Field
Rectangular
Oval
Ball Shape
Oval
Oval
ADVERTISEMENT
Goal Shape
H-shaped
Tall posts with shorter behind posts
Forward Pass
Prohibited
Allowed
Premier Tournament
Rugby World Cup (for Rugby Union)
Australian Football League (AFL)
Compare with Definitions
Rugby
Originated in England and has two major types: Union and League.
He prefers watching Rugby Union over League.
Footy
Informal term for football, often referring to Australian rules football in Australia.
Footy is a beloved sport in Melbourne.
Rugby
Played on a rectangular field with H-shaped goals.
The Rugby team practiced their drills on the rectangular field.
Footy
Played on an oval field with oval ball and unique scoring posts.
The Footy match drew a large crowd to the stadium.
Rugby
A team sport played with an oval ball and distinct tackling rules.
Rugby is popular in countries like New Zealand and South Africa.
Footy
Involves kicking the ball between sets of posts to score.
He scored a goal in Footy by sending the ball between the tall posts.
Rugby
Emphasizes physicality and strategic gameplay.
You need strength and strategy to excel in Rugby.
Footy
Emphasizes both kicking and catching skills.
Footy players need to be adept at both handballing and kicking.
Rugby
Players aim to score by touching down in the in-goal or kicking through goal posts.
In Rugby, a try is scored when the ball is touched down beyond the opposing team's try line.
Footy
Though it can mean different sports, it's synonymous with Australian rules football in Australia.
When Australians say Footy, they often mean the Australian rules version.
Rugby
A game played by two teams of 15 players each on a rectangular field 110 yards long with goal lines and goal posts at either end, the object being to run with an oval ball across the opponent's goal line or kick it through the upper portion of the goal posts, with forward passing and time-outs not permitted.
Footy
Football (association football) (soccer in US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
Rugby
A form of football in which players can hold or kick an ovoid ball; rugby football. The ball cannot be handled forwards and points are scored by touching the ball to the ground in the area past the opponent's territory or by kicking the ball between goalposts and over a crossbar.
The scrum is a distinctive element of rugby.
The two rugbies split following a debate about amateurism.
Footy
The game or sport of football, usually Australian rules football or rugby league, but not soccer
Rugby
(specifically) The form of the game known as rugby union (see the usage note).
Footy
The ball used in a game of footy.
Rugby
(countable) rugby shirt
Footy
A short sock.
Rugby
(Philippines) Rubber cement, contact cement.
Footy
Having foots or settlings.
Footy oil or molasses
Rugby
(intransitive) To play rugby.
Footy
Of bad quality; mean, poor.
Rugby
A form of football played with an oval ball
Footy
Having foots, or settlings; as, footy oil, molasses, etc.
Footy
Poor; mean.
Common Curiosities
What's the primary region for Footy?
Footy, when referring to Australian rules football, is most popular in Australia.
Is Rugby played worldwide?
Yes, Rugby has a global following, especially in countries like England, South Africa, and New Zealand.
Can Rugby players use their hands?
Yes, players can carry, pass (backwards or laterally), and kick the ball in Rugby.
Is Footy the same as soccer?
No, while "footy" can refer to different football codes, in Australia, it usually denotes Australian rules football, distinct from soccer.
How do you score in Rugby?
Points in Rugby can come from tries, conversions, penalty kicks, and drop goals.
Is Rugby the same as American football?
No, while they share some similarities, Rugby and American football have different rules and gameplay.
What's the objective in Footy?
In Australian rules football, teams aim to score by kicking the ball between goalposts.
Can you use any term for football in Australia?
While "football" is understood, "Footy" is a common colloquial term for Australian rules football in many parts.
How many players are on a Rugby Union team?
Rugby Union teams have 15 players on the field.
How many players are on a Footy team (Australian rules)?
Australian rules football teams have 18 players on the field.
Are Rugby and Rugby League the same?
No, while similar, Rugby Union and Rugby League have different rules and player counts.
What's a scrum in Rugby?
A scrum is a method of restarting play in Rugby involving players packing closely together.
Why is Australian rules football called Footy?
"Footy" is an informal term for "football" and has become synonymous with Australian rules football in Australia.
Which is more physical, Rugby or Footy?
Both are highly physical sports, but the type of physicality varies. Rugby has more close-contact tackling, while Footy involves high-paced running and aerial contests.
Is Footy played professionally?
Yes, the Australian Football League (AFL) is the professional league for Australian rules football.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
