JUNIOR COMPETITION RULES
The junior player pathway commences with modified forms of the adult game. Each pathway form of the game has been specially adapted to meet sporting and community needs and expectations for the player’s stage of development, physical capability, health status, skill level and previous experience. They are safe to play yet still challenging. The modifications include the level of contact, size of the ball, the playing area, the length of games and the playing numbers on the field.
U5 to U7 – Tag Rugby Non-Competition Grade
As the first introduction to the game, Tag Rugby is played on a modified field (40m x 25m) to cater for the younger age group, ensuring that each player will experience maximum involvement. It is a simple seven a side tagging / non-tackling introduction to the game. It has been designed to focus on the game principles of possession; go forward and pressure; the individual skills to catch and pass, run and evade, and touch (tag); as well as the game elements of ball take, scrum and lineout.
U8 – Tackle Non-Competition Grade
Tackle Rugby is played on a modified field (60m x 25m) to cater for the younger age group, ensuring that each player will experience maximum involvement. It is a simple seven a side tackle rugby introduction to the game. It has been designed to focus on the game principles of possession, go forward and pressure; the individual skills to catch and pass, run and evade, and tackle; as well as the game elements of ball take, scrum and lineout.
U9 to U10 – Non-Competition Grades 10 a side
Ten a side Rugby continues the theme of free-flowing running and passing rugby action and introduces the younger players to more contact elements of the game. It has been designed to teach and continue the development of the game principles of possession, go forward and pressure with greater emphasis on the tactical principle of support. It also teaches the individual skills of catch and pass; run and evade; contact; kicking and tackling; as well as the game elements of ruck, maul, scrum and lineout. Ten a side is played on a smaller field (60m x 35m) with 10 players in each team.
U11 to U12 – Competition Grades 12 & 15 a side
Introduction of 12 and 15 a side rugby is the stepping-stone to the full game. It is played between 12 or 15 players on a standard size field, with more elements of the U19 game being introduced. It has been designed to teach the game principles of possession, go forward and pressure, support with greater emphasis on the principle of continuity. It also teaches the individual skills of passing and receiving; catch and pass; run and evade; contact; kicking and tackling; as well as the game elements of ruck, maul, scrum and lineout.
U13 to U19 years – Competition Grades
U19 rugby includes all of the elements of the adult game except for scrummaging which is limited to a scrum movement to a maximum of 1m.
Rugby Laws of the Game
