Match Duration	80 mins	80 mins	80 mins	80 mins
Injury time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Extra time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Lineout: Pre-grip	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lineout: Lifting	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Scrum: Pushing	Yes	Yes	1.5 metre	Yes
Scrum: placeCityWheeling & Reset	90 deg. Lose possession	90 deg. Lose possession	45 deg & reset	90 deg. Lose possession

Rucks & Maul

“Use or Lose”

Rucks - No

Mauls - Yes

Rucks - No

Mauls - Yes

Rucks - No

Mauls - Yes

Rucks - No

Mauls - Yes

Substitutes: Front Row Cover	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	Law 3.5
Substitutes: Blood	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Discipline: Yellow card	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Discipline: Red card	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

	Women's Adult Rugby		Age Grade placeRugby GIRLS		Mini placeRugby
	Div 1	Div 2	U17 to U19	U13 to U16	Stage 3	Stage 2	Stage 1

Match Duration	80 mins	80 mins	U18 & U19 -70mins U17 - 60 mins	60 mins	Max. 40 mins	Max. 30 mins	Max 30 mins
Injury time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Extra time	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No	No

Lineout: Pre-grip	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Lineout: Lifting	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No

Scrum: Pushing	Yes	1.5m only	1.5m only	1.5m only (U13 & 14 uncontested)	1 Step - No push	1 Step - No Push	1 Step - No Push
Scrum: placeCityWheeling & reset	90 Degrees & Lose Possession	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	No Wheeling	NoWheeling	No Wheeling

Ruck & Maul

Use it or Lose it

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck -No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

Discipline: Yellow card	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Discipline: Red card	Yes	Yes	Yes	* See below fro U13	No - Compulsory Substitutions Only

Substitutes: Front row cover	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5 U19 Variations	See Law 3.5 U19 Variations	Yes - Roll on Roll off Substitutions
Substitutes: Blood	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes - Roll on Roll off Substitutions

* U13 - Player may be sent off - But compulsory substitutions to ensure the same numbers on the pitch at all times.

Incidents where players are ordered off (foul play) or been compulsary substituted (U13) must be reported to the Branch for diciplinary procedures (if required). Clubs are responsible at all times for the behaviour of their players/ coaches and spectators.

	Age Grade Rugby Schools		Age Grade placeRugby Clubs		Mini placeRugby
	U16 to U19	U13 to U15	U17 to U19	U13 to U16	Stage 3	Stage 2	Stage 1

Match Duration	70 mins	60 mins	70 mins	60 mins	Max. 40 mins	Max. 30 mins	Max 30 mins
Injury time	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Extra time	No	No	No	No	No	No	No

Lineout: Pre-grip	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
Lineout: Lifting	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No	No

Scrum: Pushing	1.5m only	1.5m only	1.5m only	1.5m only	1 Step - No push	1 Step - No Push	1 Step - No Push
Scrum: placeCityWheeling & reset	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	45 Degrees & Reset	No Wheeling	No Wheeling	No placeCityWheeling

Ruck & Maul

Use or Lose

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

Ruck - No

Maul - Yes

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

5 seconds

“Use or Lose”

Discipline: Yellow card	Yes	NO	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
Discipline: Red card	Yes	Yes	Yes	* See below for U13	No - Compulsory Substitutions Only

Substitutes: Front row cover	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	See Law 3.5	Yes - Roll on Roll off Substitutions
Substitutes: Blood	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes - Roll on Roll off Substitutions

* U13 - Player may be sent off - But compulsory substitutions to ensure the same numbers on the pitch at all times.

.............................................................................................................................

Ruling 6 2008 This means that that in domestic competitions the maximum number of substitutions is seven

34 Number of Players – Uncontested scrums Ruling 2 2003 and Ruling 2 2008

Referees are now required to report occasions when they have to order uncontested scrums

and they MUST not start matches with contested scrums if there are not sufficiently

trained and experienced front row players available. In some instances competition rules

may prevent a match starting with uncontested scrums which means the game will not start.

A Union may introduce rolling substitutions atthe community/participation levels of the Game

providing they do not exceed 12 in a match.The rules and administration process is for the

Union to decide. An example used by the Scottish Rugby Union is attached as appendix

This provides the opportunity for Unions to extend the maximum time allowed for half time

to be extended to 15 minutes in their domestic matches. This allows for commercial activities

to occur in the professional Rugby environment. It does NOT apply to international matches.

46 Assistant Referees Global ELV Assistant Referees are able to assist the

10.4 (e) 61 Dangerous Tackling Ruling 6 2006 This clarifies the situation where a tackle starts

Ruling 5 2005 The spear tackle has now been described in Law as a result of a Ruling and is regarded as

Ruling 1 2004 Players who are on the ground must not tackle a player and whilst it has been common

A tackler who by definition has gone to ground can, when on his/her feet play the ball from any

The player who puts a player on the ground and stays on his/her feet has to release that

player and can then only play the ball by coming from the direction of his own goal line,

behind the ball and the player on the ground nearest his goal line. Please see diagram in

16.3 (f) 96 Rucking players Ruling 1 2005 Players must not use their feet in a rucking motion on players on the ground

17 99 Maul Definition Ruling 5 2008 The major change is the word “begins” in thedefinition because as the maul develops the maul may not comply with the definition especially if the opponents not in possession of the ball voluntarily leave the maul.

103 Players detaching from a maul Ruling 5 2008 The Law defines the offside lines if all of the

opponents of the ball carrying team voluntarily leave the maul and this is demonstrated in

appendix 3. It also provides for thoseopponents re-engaging with the maul from an

19.1 (b) 110 No gain in ground – own 22 Global ELV If a team puts the ball back into its 22 and the

ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch, there is no gain in ground. There are diagrams

Ruling 14 2003 This clarifies that if a player is in the 22 andpicks up a stationary ball that is outside the 22

19. 1 (d) 110 No gain in ground – own 22 Global ELV If a team puts the ball back into the 22 as they

are pushed in the scrum or tapped from a line out it is deemed to be put back into their

own 22 as shown in the diagrams on page 111 of the Law Book. There is no gain in ground if ball is

Ruling 14 2003 This clarifies that if a player is in the 22 and picks up a ball that is outside the 22 but still in

motion he/she can kick directly into touch and the lineout will be where the ball went into

19 1 (f) 111 Gain in ground – own 22 Global ELV If after team puts the ball into their own 22

there is a tackle, ruck, maul or the ball touches an opposition player the ball can be kicked

directly into touch with the lineout being where the ball went into touch as shown on page 111

Global ELV If a team puts the ball into the opposition 22 without it being touched by the opposition the

opposition may kick the ball directly into touch and have the lineout where the ball went into

115 Quick Throw in Global ELV At a quick throw the ball can be thrown straight

or towards the thrower’s goal line providing it crosses the five metre line and this is shown in

Ruling 1 2008 If a player has a foot in touch and picks up a stationary ball he/she has taken the ball into

touch. If a player with a foot in touch picks up a ball that is in motion the

If a team has a receiver that player must standat least 2 metres from players of his/her own side in the lineout and must not go closer until the lineout begins which is when the ball is thrown. It will be very difficult for either receiver

to run into a gap. The receiver can change places with somebody in the lineout (Law 18 [k]) providing that the player in the receiver position is 2 metres away when the ball isthrown in. The position of the receiver is shown in a diagram on page 120 of the Law Book.

Global ELV There MUST be a player in opposition to the player throwing in at the lineout and that player

MUST stand 2 metres from the line of touch and the 5 metres line as shown in the diagram on page 120 of the Law Book.

This confirms that players participating in the lineout can change places before the ball is

thrown and includes the receiver and the opponent of the player throwing in which was

122 Lifting and supporting Global ELV Confirming current practice where support

players lift a player from the ground with their hands no lower than the thighs at the front and

This allows support players to pre grip players on their thighs and shorts prior to the ball being thrown in

The offside line for non participants in the scrum is five metres back from the hindmost player in

their scrum. Both scrum halves must take up a position onthe same side of the scrum as the scrum half

throwing in the ball (the scrum half not throwingin the ball may be positioned behind the offside

line for the non participants and must stay there until the scrum is over).

After the ball has been won the scrum half of the team who has not won the ball who was

positioned next to the player throwing in the ball can do one of two things:

(ii) Go directly back to the hindmost foot in the scrum and then take up a position anywhere

behind this offside line. The scrum half of the side who won the ball in the scrum may also retire to the offside line for

Ruling 7 2005 This clarifies the situation where feet of playersin a scrum go on or over the goal line and

20.13 142 Under 19 scrum variations in adult Rugby Union specific ELV

Unions are able to introduce the Under 19 Scrum Law variations forcommunity/participation levels of the game.

Ruling 1 2008 If a player is in in-goal a picks up a stationaryball that player has taken the ball into in-goal. If

the player in the same position picks up a ball that is in motion the ball is deemed to be in ingoal.

157 Ball dead in goal –removing reference tocorner posts - Ball or player touching corner postGlobal ELV

The corner posts are no longer considered to be touch in-goal and if a player carrying the ball or the ball touches a corner post the game continues.

The revised Foreword indicates the responsibilities of the players to prepare for the game in a manner which ensures that they comply with the Laws of the Game and practices

1. A maximum of 12 substitutions per team per match will be allowed [when

2. Substitutions under this Exception 3 shall include blood replacements and

injuries, indeed any time one player replaces another player from the

same team other than front-row replacements required after a yellow card

3. When a player has a blood injury and is replaced by another player and then

returns to the field of play within the permitted time, that will count as 2

4. When a player is sent from the field of play under a red card, that is not a

5. When a player is temporarily suspended under a yellow card and leaves the

6. When a scrum is ordered during the temporary suspension of a front-row

player (Player A), and as a result a player (Player B) is required to leave the

field to allow another front-row player (Player C) to come on, that does NOT

count as a substitution. If, at the end of the period of temporary suspension,

Player A resumes and Player C leaves the field, that does NOT count as a

substitution. Player B returning to the field of play is also NOT a substitution.

If, however, the team opts to leave Player C on at the end of the temporary

suspension period instead of Player A returning, that IS a substitution.

7. After all 12 substitutions have been made, no other substitutions will be

allowed for whatever reason including injuries. If, after the 12 substitutions

have been made there is any reason for a player to leave the field of play, the

team must play on with one less player. Uncontested scrums will apply if this

8. Any substitution of a front-row player must be on a positional like for like basis

in accordance with Law 3.5 unless any such player has already left the field of

play due to being so injured that it would be unwise for him to continue

9. Any substitute who takes the field of play immediately following the awarding

of a penalty kick to his team shall not be permitted to kick at goal until after

administering and counting the substitutions and how. An optional Procedural

11. Unless specified differently in this Exception 3, all of Law 3 shall apply to

2009 Law Amendments Explained 090507 SG LA Explanatory Page 10 of 12

Optional Procedural Guideline for the Administration and Control of Rolling

A) Twelve sequentially numbered cards indicating Home 1 up to Home 12 and Away

1 to Away 12 will be provided electronically by the Union to all clubs in advance of

(B) Each club will then be responsible for providing its own supply of cards for each

require to hand the appropriate substitution card in the correct sequence to the 4th

Official/Home Touch Judge before each substitute takes to the field of play. There is

no requirement to record or write anything on the card. The correct sequentially

(D) The 4th official/home touch judge shall receive and retain the cards during the

match and shall monitor each team’s use of its substitutes, so advising the referee as

appropriate (e.g. when a team has used its last permitted substitution). He is not

required to record any information but shall retain the submitted cards until after the

end of the match. The cards shall not be returned to the appropriate team (or

discarded) until he has advised the referee of the final number of substitutes used by

each team and has established that the referee is satisfied that he may do so.

(E) At matches for which the referee is required to submit an official return or result

card/form, the referee shall record the final number of substitutes used by each team.

(F) At matches where there is no match doctor available, the referee remains

responsible for establishing if a player is leaving the field of play due to being so

Early in a match Team A replace their Tight Head Prop, due to injury, with their

Late in the match, the replacement prop forward collects a serious injury forcing

him to leave the field. Team A, having used all their nominated substitutes,

continue to play with 14 players. When the first scrum after the injured prop

leaves the field is awarded, and after consulting with the Captain of Team A,

who confirms his side cannot replace their injured prop with a suitably trained

At this stage, Team A seek permission from the match officials for their

substituted hooker to rejoin the match in an attempt to bring their playing

numbers back to 15. The match officials refuse to allow the player to rejoin the

match, which concludes with uncontested scrums and Team A playing with 14

Were the officials correct in not permitting Team A the opportunity to bring their

In this situation the team has used all its permitted replacements/substitutes.

The purpose of Law 3.12 was to allow a player who has been substituted to

return to the front row (in the event of an injury requiring a replacement front

In the situation described, uncontested scrums had been ordered and the team

had utilised all its permitted replacements and substitutes and therefore the

Additionally, if uncontested scrums have been ordered and there is an injury to

a front row player which requires that player to be replaced and there is a front

row player available to replace that player then the front row player replacement

After a tackle any players on their feet may attempt to gain possession by taking the

How can a ruck form? Players are on their feet. At least one player must be in

When a player has complied with Law 15 6 (b), is on his feet and playing the ball after

a tackle and is then joined by an opposition player on his feet so that the situation

outlined in 16 1 (b) occurs, can the player who has complied with Law 15 6 (b) continue

to play the ball with his hands or at what point does he have to release the ball?

Law 15 6 (a) states: After a tackle, all other players must be on their feet when they

Law 15.6 (b) reads: After a tackle any player on their feet may attempt to gain

Law 15 5 (e) states that: If opposition players who are on their feet, the tackled player

This indicates that after a tackle a player on his feet may play the ball.

player must be in physical contact with an opponent. The ball is on the ground.

Law 16.1 refers to a player from each side in physical contact over the ball and implies

Providing a player from either side on their feet after a tackle comply with all aspects of

Law 15 and have the ball in their hands prior to contact with an opposition player on

his feet those players may continue with possession of the ball even if a player from

the opposition makes contact with those players in possession of the ball.

Any other players joining the two players contesting the ball must not handle the ball in

accordance with Law 16.4 (b). If the ball is not in possession of any player after a

tackle and a ruck is formed players may not use their hands in accordance with Law

The Ruling is effective from May 23 for the start of matches in the June window

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) seeks a ruling in respect of the following matters

1. The U19 Law Variation refers to a team having fewer than eight players in

its scrum when “…the team cannot field a complete team, or a player sent

off for Foul Play, or a player leaves the field because of injury.” Does this

Law Variation also apply if a player is cautioned and temporarily suspended

players in the scrum formation if “…a team is incomplete…” because it is

without one, two or three players. No distinction is made between forward

players and back players. If a No. 15 is sent off early in a match, must both

teams play with seven players in the scrum, even though both teams still

have eight players suitably trained and capable of playing in the scrum?

3. If a team cannot field a complete team because it is short one or more

forward player, but that team is able to provide from the available players

suitably trained players to contest scrums, may the game proceed/continue

The complete team is a reference to having eight players who can play in the

scrum. If a forward leaves the field of play for any reason and cannot be

replaced due to injury, sending off, temporary suspension or any other reason

then both teams must reduce the number of players in the scrum so that there

If any player other than a forward has to leave the field for any reason and

cannot be replaced there will be no reduction in the players playing in the

This will be referred to the Chairman of the Rugby Committee for the Law to be

Eight handsome burly guys whom you'll gladly give your beer and food to, and you'd want to marry your daughter. They are intelligent, elegant, sensitive, and sweet. Truly the ideal men.

Seven guys who will steal your beer while you're not looking, take advantage of your women folk, barnyard animals, and all tubular household objects. Often dine on quiche, brie cheese and wine. Been known to understand the rule of the ESPN Extreme games' rules. Regularly take blow dryers on road trips, wear bikini underpants, and carry STDs (AVOID AT ALL COSTS).

Short but stout, these strapping men support the hooker, but no money ever changes hands and the act is never specificaly named.

Often identified by a balding spot atop the head, these vertically challenged but talented men stand between the two props, and secures the ball for his team during scrummages.

These tall powerful men are the driving engines not only the scrum, but of the entire game. They can be found working their magic from deep in the scrum, behind the front row, or lofting high above the line outs pulling balls from the air.

Usually the most handsome and intelligent, these three men of strength are often considered the renisance men of the rugby field. They not only control the ball, but the entire pitch. Remember, the back row defines the whole team's style of play.

The point guard of the rugby team the scrumhalf distributes the ball, runs hits, and kicks. Scrumhalf is only half as handsome and burly as the pack members

The first of those back guys, and the first of the offensive chain. Often confused with an insect, may be referred to as the man with "the foot."

Another pair of those back guys. Either power runner, or annoying scampering guy usually found in the opposite order, but whose main purpose is to get the ball to ...

Ideally the fastest men on the team. Their job is to "score with the ball", but they often confuse it with "get tackled with the ball." Also an excellent snack when smothered in hot sauce and deep fried.

The last line of defense. A back even the pack can appreciate, often viewed as a back row in the larval stage.


	Senior	Junior 1	Junior 2 & Lower	Under 20