The UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) has received the green light from World Rugby to trial a bold variation of the 7s scoring law, marking a historic first for both the Emirates and the wider Asian rugby community.

The change eliminates the need for a conversion kick following a try scored directly between the posts, awarding an automatic 7 points instead. This modification aims to quicken the pace of play and raise the competitive intensity of sevens rugby, an Olympic discipline known for its speed and spectacle.

The new rule will be formally tested on the international stage at the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 7s Championship in India. Its approval follows a successful domestic trial during the UAE women’s league season between March and April 2024.

“This approval stands as a monumental stride for our efforts to advance the 7s game”

“This approval stands as a monumental stride for our efforts to advance the 7s game,” said Mohamed Al Zaabi, Secretary General of the UAE Rugby Federation. “Made possible by our collaboration with World Rugby and Asia Rugby, our proposed amendments fruited from a collective vision to engage the rugby community with a more competitive, yet integral approach to the game. We eagerly anticipate expanding these initiatives at a regional level.”

120sec. total average seconds needed for a conversion across a number of matches

A Faster, Sharper Format

In traditional sevens rugby, teams regroup during conversion attempts, using that window to organise defensively. Under the new law, there’s no such pause. Once a try is scored under the posts, the game immediately resumes, putting pressure on teams to stay alert and adapt on the fly.

This continuous play is expected to reward endurance, strategic depth, and defensive coordination—fundamental attributes in high-performance rugby.

The proposal was originally championed by John Jeffrey, former Vice Chairman of World Rugby and then Chair of the High Performance Rugby Committee. The UAERF began lobbying for the change in late 2023, building their case with feedback from coaches, players, and referees, and submitting a detailed analysis to World Rugby.

Rob Kearney, current Chair of the Sevens High Performance Rugby Committee, gave the final approval to implement the variation at the international level.

With the spotlight now turning to the Asia Rugby U20s, all eyes will be on how this scoring tweak shapes the rhythm and outcome of matches.

What’s Next?

Should the trial prove successful, it could inspire broader adoption across regional and global tournaments. For now, the UAE has positioned itself as a leader in rugby innovation, using insight and initiative to help reimagine the future of the fast-paced sevens format.