Frequently asked questions

The junior laws were last reviewed in 2008. Since then, expectations around safety, enjoyment and development in community sport have shifted, and research has improved our understanding of how children learn through sport. Players, parents, coaches and referees also told us the laws were being applied differently across competitions and states. The new laws give every competition one consistent, age appropriate framework, with the tackle contest, scrum and lineout introduced in stages as players develop.

The new laws apply to all sanctioned matches from 1 January 2027.

The changes on this page apply to junior and youth rugby, from Under 8s to Under 15s. Most of the change sits in Under 8s to Under 12s, where the tackle contest, scrum and lineout are introduced in stages. From Under 13s to Under 15s, there are minor adjustments to scrum and lineout laws as players progress towards the senior game. The full laws for these age groups are available [link].

The tackle contest, scrum and lineout are introduced in stages: the tackle contest from Under 8s, the scrum from Under 9s and the lineout from Under 11s. Playing numbers and field sizes are also adjusted so players handle the ball, make decisions and contribute more in every game. From Under 13s to Under 15s, there are minor adjustments to scrum and lineout laws.

Yes. The laws for Junior 7s and Tri Tag Rugby have also been updated to align with the changes on this page. You can find them on the Rugby Australia Community Rugby Laws page [link].

Your child plays in the age group for the age they turn during the year. For example, a child turning 10 at any time in 2027 plays Under 10s. They can also play one age group up without needing approval. Playing further up, or dropping down an age group, requires an Age Grade Dispensation assessment [link]. Some competitions combine two age groups, such as Under 9s and Under 10s, which play under the same laws.

Yes. The laws for each age group are the same for boys', girls' and mixed competitions. Girls and boys can play together up to and including Under 12s. From Under 13s to Under 15s, mixed teams can continue through Rugby Australia's Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure [link]. From Under 16s, competitions are single gender.

It depends on the age group. For most players, the 2027 laws will be a moderate adjustment, generally reflecting the progression they would expect when moving up an age group. The biggest differences are in Under 8s to Under 12s, where the tackle contest, scrum and lineout are introduced at set stages. Select your age group [link] to see exactly what changes.

Scrums and lineouts are technical skills that rely on strength, coordination and body position. Introducing them one at a time, once players have built the foundations of running, passing and tackling, gives players and coaches time to learn each one properly. It also keeps early games simpler, so younger players spend more time with the ball in hand.

Each stage builds on what players have already learned. Under 9s and Under 10s play the same laws, as do Under 11s and Under 12s, so players have two seasons to get comfortable before the next step. The main steps up are at Under 9s, when the scrum is introduced, Under 11s, when the lineout is introduced, and Under 13s, when players begin progressing towards the senior game.

Players will learn the laws through their normal training and games, guided by their coaches and match officials. They don't need to study the laws themselves. Parents who want to understand what their child will be playing can find information for each age group in the Players and Parents resources [link].

Each age group has a standard number of players on the field and a minimum needed for a match to go ahead. • Under 8s: 7 players, minimum 5 • Under 9s and Under 10s: 10 players, minimum 7 • Under 11s and Under 12s: 12 players, minimum 10 • Under 13s to Under 16s: 15 players, minimum 10 Teams must play with matching numbers. From Under 11s, the only exception is when a player has been sent off with a yellow or red card. If a team cannot field enough suitably trained front row players, scrums become uncontested, and the laws for your age group explain how this works [link]. If your team is likely to be short, check with your competition organiser before game day.

Rugby Australia and Member Unions will provide education, training and practical resources for coaches and match officials, including online learning, guides for each age group and video showing how the laws are coached and refereed. Coaches and match officials will learn from the same material, so the laws are understood and applied the same way on both sides of the sideline. Resources will be available from January 2027.

No. Coaches and match officials only need to know the laws for the age groups they work with. Because laws are shared across two year bands, such as Under 9s and Under 10s, most people will only need to learn one set. Those working across several age groups will need to know the laws for each.

Rugby Australia led a national review with input from across the game, supported by independent research. The proposed laws were played in nine associations during 2026 before being endorsed for all competitions from 2027. [Link to section 6]

Rugby Australia and Member Unions will support clubs, associations, coaches and match officials through the transition with education, training and practical resources.

No. The laws for each age group are the same in every sanctioned competition, so players get the same game wherever they play. Competitions can adjust how they are run, such as scheduling and fixtures, but not how the game is played. Any change to competition rules must be submitted to Rugby Australia before the season.

The laws for each age group are available through the age grade selector above [link]. Resources for coaches, match officials, clubs and associations, and players and parents are in the Resources section [link].

Start with the law summary for your age group [link] and the [full name of GMG] [link]. If you still need help, contact your Member Union. They can raise questions with Rugby Australia so the same answer applies everywhere.