What are the basic rules in rugby and the obvious differences to Aussie football?

Question

I am in no way being sarcastic, I really want to know.

I am a fan of American football first, but have always been facinated with the differences and the similarities between these sports.

Any real, non-sarcastic answers would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

In Aussie football you try to punt the ball through one of three goals for each side. The field is oval and you can score by placing the ball down in the endzone. The main difference is that every ten steps you take with the ball, you have to bounce it on the ground. In rugby the field is rectangle and the main objective is to score in the endzone whereas you mainly try to punt the ball through the goalposts.

Answer 2

The rules of rugby will take literally about four years to understand. It often seems the case that even the refs don't know the rules (this is a statement of fact - no sarcasm intended) and the rules are open to massive interpretation. In close games literrally anyone can win and anything can happen. I stopped watching rugby last season (the magners league) and had a year off - because the (scottish) refs would litterally ruin every single game with stupid "interpretations" - and it would drive me crackers.