The Players: A rugby league team consists of 13 players, where a rugby union team has 15. Many of the players have similar names, but different roles, and rugby league players are generally more versatile. There is also no flanker, or equivalent position, in rugby league.

The Field: A rugby league field is smaller than a union field, measuring between 112 and 122 metres long, compared to a maximum of 144 metres for rugby union fields. Lines on a league field are drawn differently, measuring every 10 metres. A union field has various lines throughout the length of the field.

Gameplay: rugby league has a six-tackle rule, somewhat like a down in American football. Once these are up, the ball goes to the other team. In rugby union, possession can change during open play, and as long as a team can keep the ball, they do not need to surrender it to the other team. When someone is tackled in a rugby league game, a play the ball takes place, but in rugby union play does not stop. Neither game allows tackling of players who do not have the ball.

Scoring: each game has the same way of scoring, but points are sometimes awarded differently, generally with more points awarded in rugby union games.

There are other minor differences in the way these games are played, but both are still widely popular and extremely fun to play and participate in.