Rugby Sevens

Deodoro Stadium

Aug 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Objective: Seven-a-side version of Rugby Union. Two teams attempt to score tries or win penalties, moving ball from player to player by hand – always passing it backwards

Scoring

Cross-bar

Playing time

Two halves of seven minutes (10-minute halves in final)

Try (5pts): Player runs ball over goal line

Oval ball: 28-30cm long

Drop-goal (3pts), Penalty (3pts), Conversion (2pts): Ball kicked over crossbar

Goal line

Goal posts

In-goal

Detail

Touch line

22m line

10m line

Halfway

Direction of play

Ball passed backwards

In-goal

70m 100m

Sherwin Stowers (NZL) tackles Marcus Watson (ENG) during final of 2013 Rugby
World Cup Sevens in Moscow

Footwear: Players wear boots with studs (or cleats) no longer than 21mm

Teams: Each side has seven players (and five substitutes)

NEW EVENT

Rugby Union featured in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924 Olympic Games. Rugby Sevens created by two butchers in Melrose, Scotland, in 1888

Sources: Rio 2016

Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images, Wikimedia