7 players on the field. Teams must match numbers.

7 players on the field. Teams must match numbers.

7 players on the field. Teams must match numbers.

5 players per team. Teams must match numbers.

5 players per team. Teams must match numbers.

5 players per team. Teams must match numbers, unless player is sanctioned with YC/RC.

10

10

12

Unlimited movements. Replacements can be made at any stoppage where the ball is dead and only with the permission of the referee. A replacement can take place at a FK or PK but the ball must be made dead prior to this happening and with the permission of the referee. The ball is dead when the referee blows the whistle to stop play; or when the ball is in touch; or following an unsuccessful conversion.

Unlimited movements. Replacements can be made at any stoppage where the ball is dead and only with the permission of the referee. A replacement can take place at a FK or PK but the ball must be made dead prior to this happening and with the permission of the referee. The ball is dead when the referee blows the whistle to stop play; or when the ball is in touch; or following an unsuccessful conversion.

Unlimited movements. Replacements can be made at any stoppage where the ball is dead and only with the permission of the referee. A replacement can take place at a FK or PK but the ball must be made dead prior to this happening and with the permission of the referee. The ball is dead when the referee blows the whistle to stop play; or when the ball is in touch; or following an unsuccessful conversion.

Quarter field: 33m wide x 35m long.

Half field: 35m wide x 60m long.

Full field less 10m; the field comes in to the 5m line on each side.

Size 3.

Size 3.

Size 4.

10 mins (2 x 5 min halves). Half time 1 min.

10 mins (2 x 5 min halves). Half time 1 min.

14 mins (2 x 7 min halves). Half time 2 mins.

15 minutes before the first match of the day. 5 minutes before each subsequent match.

20 minutes before the first match of the day. 5 minutes before each subsequent match.

20 minutes before the first match of the day. 5 minutes before each subsequent match.

Each team has one on-field Coach for the full duration of every match across the competition or event. The on-field Coach is present to guide players and to reinforce the decisions of the Referee. They are a Coach on the field, not a second Referee. The on-field Coach may: • Give short, in the moment guidance to players of their own team, and to opposition players where it helps play continue safely. • Explain a Referee's decision to players in language they understand, after the decision has been made. • Reposition players, prompt them into the correct formation, and help them get set for a restart. • Alert the Referee to a safety concern at any time. The on field Coach may not: • Overturn, reverse, question or debate a decision of the Referee. • Award or signal any decision, sanction or score. • Direct play from within either team's defensive line, or interfere with the ball, players or space in a way that affects the contest. • Coach the opposition's tactics, or delay a restart to give instruction. Coaching approach: • On the field with the Referee and the opposition Coach. • At a stoppage in play, provide one teaching moment, then restart. • The game is the teacher. A Coach's job is to point at the right moment.

Each team has one on-field Coach for the full duration of every match across the competition or event. The on-field Coach is present to guide players and to reinforce the decisions of the Referee. They are a Coach on the field, not a second Referee. The on-field Coach may: • Give short, in the moment guidance to players of their own team, and to opposition players where it helps play continue safely. • Explain a Referee's decision to players in language they understand, after the decision has been made. • Reposition players, prompt them into the correct formation, and help them get set for a restart. • Alert the Referee to a safety concern at any time. The on field Coach may not: • Overturn, reverse, question or debate a decision of the Referee. • Award or signal any decision, sanction or score. • Direct play from within either team's defensive line, or interfere with the ball, players or space in a way that affects the contest. • Coach the opposition's tactics, or delay a restart to give instruction. Coaching approach: • On the field with the Referee and the opposition Coach. • At a stoppage in play, provide one teaching moment, then restart. • The game is the teacher. A Coach's job is to point at the right moment.

No on-field coach. It is recommended that the coach stands behind the player's bench, inside the field enclosure.

50 minutes (5 x 10min matches)

50 minutes (5 x 10min matches)

70 minutes (5 x 14min matches)

Maximum 5 matches in a day.

Maximum 5 matches in a day.

Maximum 5 matches in a day.

Minimum 20 minutes between the end of one match and the start of the next.

Minimum 25 minutes between the end of one match and the start of the next.

Minimum 25 minutes between the end of one match and the start of the next.

The competition organiser must apply the Rugby Australia heat policy and provide scheduled hydration breaks. Where the heat policy requires it, match length is reduced before matches are cancelled.

The competition organiser must apply the Rugby Australia heat policy and provide scheduled hydration breaks. Where the heat policy requires it, match length is reduced before matches are cancelled.

The competition organiser must apply the Rugby Australia heat policy and provide scheduled hydration breaks. Where the heat policy requires it, match length is reduced before matches are cancelled.

No extra time. A drawn match stands as a draw. Where a final is drawn, the result is determined by Competition Rules.

No extra time. A drawn match stands as a draw. Where a final is drawn, the result is determined by Competition Rules.

No extra time. A drawn match stands as a draw. Where a final is drawn, the result is determined by Competition Rules.

Below the base of the sternum. No sling tackle. No squeeze ball.

Below the base of the sternum. No sling tackle. No squeeze ball.

Below the base of the sternum. No sling tackle. No squeeze ball.

A maximum of 2 players from each team may contest the ruck, excluding the tackler(s). The tackler(s) must roll away immediately from the tackle. A defending player who wins the ball through a jackal before a ruck has formed may run with the ball or choose to pass. Once a ruck has formed, the player acting as halfback must not run with the ball and no attacking player may pick and drive.

A maximum of 2 players from each team may contest the ruck, excluding the tackler(s). The tackler(s) must roll away immediately from the tackle. A defending player who wins the ball through a jackal before a ruck has formed may run with the ball or choose to pass. Once a ruck has formed, the player acting as halfback must not run with the ball and no attacking player may pick and drive.

World Rugby Law. There is no limit on the number of players who may join the tackle contest.

The maul is not permitted at U8. If a maul forms, play restarts with a tap and pass by the team who took the ball into the maul. No infringement is attributed to either team.

World Rugby maul law applies, except that a maul may only occur in general play.

World Rugby maul law applies, except that a maul may only occur in general play. They cannot be formed from the lineout. Sanction: Penalty Kick.

Not applicable. There is no scrum at U8. Tap and Pass restarts play.

3 players per team: 2 props and a hooker. All three must stay bound until the scrum ends (Sevens Variation 19.5). Teams must have 3 players in the scrum at all times and must match numbers.

3 players per team: 2 props and a hooker. All three must stay bound until the scrum ends (Sevens Variation 19.5). Teams must have 3 players in the scrum at all times and must match numbers.

Not applicable. There is no scrum at U8.

The scrum must be engaged and stable with crouch, bind, set. No deliberate push is permitted. The hooker must strike for the ball with their foot. The team feeding the ball must win the scrum. The defending hooker must not strike for the ball.

World Rugby Law engagement sequence (crouch, bind, set). Hookers must have a brake foot position to help stability and to avoid axial loading.

Not applicable. There is no scrum at U8.

The scrum must be engaged and stable. No deliberate push is permitted.

1.5m. Both teams must stop driving once 1.5m has been reached. The scrum must not be wheeled through more than 45 degrees.

Not applicable. There is no scrum at U8.

Crutch binding is allowed in all junior and youth age groups. Any team may choose to waist bind, but the opposition may continue to crutch bind. Within your own team, either crutch or waist bind must be used, there cannot be a mix. Sanction: Free Kick.

Crutch binding is allowed in all junior and youth age groups. Any team may choose to waist bind, but the opposition may continue to crutch bind. Within your own team, either crutch or waist bind must be used, there cannot be a mix. Sanction: Penalty Kick.

Not applicable. There is no scrum at U8.

The scrum is engaged and stable with no deliberate push. May Day needs to be taught from U9 onwards.

Players must know the May Day procedure.

Not applicable. There is no scrum at U8.

Not applicable. The scrum is uncontested at this age group.

Uncontested scrums apply only where a team cannot field a suitably trained front row, or through injury. 3 players per team in the scrum. There is no sanction where a team plays uncontested scrums. This is a participation provision. A team is not penalised where it cannot contest the scrum.

No time limit

No time limit

Teams must be ready to form the scrum within 15 seconds of the mark being made or at the referees discretion. Sanction: Free Kick.

Tap and pass only.

The scrum ends when the ball is played by that team's halfback.

The scrum ends when the ball is played by that team's halfback, or when the ball leaves the scrum in any direction other than the tunnel.

Not applicable. There is no lineout at U8. The restart from touch is a tap and pass.

Not applicable. There is no lineout at U9&10. The restart from touch is a pass back into the field of play.

3 lineout players per team. The thrower and the receiver are additional to the three. Attacking: 1 thrower, 3 lineout players (2 lifters and a jumper) and 1 receiver. Defending: 1 player in the channel, 3 lineout players and 1 receiver. Teams must match numbers in the lineout. The lineout must be formed within 15 seconds of the mark of touch being indicated or at the referee's discretion.

Not applicable. There is no lineout at U8.

Not applicable. There is no lineout at U9&10.

Only the attacking team may jump. Lifting is by the legs or shorts. The jumper must be lowered to the ground safely. The defending team cannot contest for the ball. The attacking team must make an effort to jump and lift a player.

Tap and pass by the non-try-scoring team, taken on the middle of halfway. Defenders back 3m. Defenders may move once the ball is in the hands of the first receiver following a pass from the tap. If the ball is not taken cleanly, defenders must wait until the player takes possession. An incorrect tap is retaken.

Drop kick by the try scoring team from the halfway point, taken within 30 seconds of the try being scored or at the referees discretion. The defending team must start 5m back from the point the ball is kicked from. Once the ball is kicked, the kicking team may advance in line with the Referee. The receiving team must take possession of the ball without contact from any player of the kicking team. Where the ball is kicked dead, the receiving team restarts with a tap on the halfway point, with defenders back 5m. A second attempt may be permitted at the Referee's discretion

Drop kick by the try scoring team, taken within 30 seconds of the conversion being taken or declined or at the discretion of the referee. A contest for possession is permitted. Defenders back 10m. The ball must reach the 10m line and must not go directly into touch. Sanction: Free Kick.

Tap and pass to the non-offending team, taken in line with or behind the mark. Defenders back 3m. The restart must be no closer than 3m from the touch line and 5m from the goal line.

Scrum to the non-offending team not in possession at the time of the offence, set at the mark under World Rugby Law.

Scrum to the non-offending team not in possession at the time of the offence, set at the mark under World Rugby Law.

No drop out. Tap 5m from the goal line to the defending team, taken in line with where the ball was made dead. Defending team back 3m.

No drop out. Tap 5m from the goal line to the team not in possession when the ball was taken into the in-goal, taken in line with where the ball was made dead. Defenders back 5m.

Where the ball is played or taken into in goal by an attacking player and is made dead by an opponent, play restarts with a 22m drop out. Where a player is held up in in goal, play restarts with a 5m scrum and the attacking team throws in.

Not applicable in 7s. Sevens Variation 12.11 restarts with a 22m drop out where an attacker takes the ball into in goal and it is made dead by an opponent. The try line drop out that applies in XV from 2027 does not apply.

Not applicable in 7s. Sevens Variation 12.11 restarts with a 22m drop out where an attacker takes the ball into in goal and it is made dead by an opponent. The try line drop out that applies in XV from 2027 does not apply.

Not applicable in 7s. Sevens Variation 12.11 restarts with a 22m drop out where an attacker takes the ball into in goal and it is made dead by an opponent. The try line drop out that applies in XV from 2027 does not apply.

3 metres back from the mark set by the Referee.

5 metres back from the mark set by the Referee.

10 metres back from the mark set by the Referee (WR Law).

Hindmost point. The defending team may move once the ball is in the hands of the first receiver following a pass from the ruck or a tap kick. If the ball is not taken cleanly, the defending team must wait until the player takes possession. Where no ruck is formed and a defending player jackals or pilfers the ball, they may run or pass with the ball.

Hindmost point. The defending team must wait until an attempt is made to catch the ball by the first receiver. Once an attempt has been made the defending team may advance. If the ball goes backwards or is knocked on, the defending team may make an effort to gather it. Where no ruck is formed and a defending player jackals or pilfers the ball, they may run or pass with the ball.

Hindmost point. The defending team may advance once the ball leaves the tackle contest.

Not applicable. There is no scrum at U8. Defenders retreat 3m for the tap. The defending team may move once the ball is in the hands of the first receiver following a pass from the ruck or a tap kick. If the ball is not taken cleanly, the defending team must wait until the player takes possession.

5 metres from the last feet. The defending team must wait until an attempt is made to catch the ball by the first receiver from the scrum. Once an attempt has been made the defending team may advance. If the ball goes backwards or is knocked on, the defending team may make an effort to gather it. The defending halfback must start at the mid point of the scrum, where the ball is fed. The ball must be fed from the left hand side of the scrum for the attacking team.

5 metres from the last feet. The defending team may advance once the halfback uses the ball, whether they pass, run or kick. The defending halfback must start at the mid point of the scrum, where the ball is fed. The ball must be fed from the left hand side of the scrum. Once the ball is fed, the defending halfback must not move beyond the midpoint of the scrum.

Not applicable. There is no lineout at U8. Defenders retreat 3m for the tap.

5 metres. The defending team must wait until an attempt is made to catch the ball by the first player receiving the pass from touch within the field of play. Once an attempt has been made the defending team may advance. If the ball goes backwards or is knocked on, the defending team may make an effort to gather it.

5 metres. The defending team must wait until the ball is in the hands of the first receiver from the halfback. The halfback must receive the ball from the lineout and pass.

3 metres. Tap restart only.

5 metres

10 metres

Try only. No conversions, penalty goals or field goals. Whether the score is recorded is a competition decision. Rugby Australia recommends the score is kept but is not published. The score must be known on the field by the Referee and the coaches so that the Game Balance Law can operate.

Try only. No conversions, penalty goals or field goals. Whether the score is recorded is a competition decision. Rugby Australia recommends the score is kept but is not published. The score must be known on the field by the Referee and the coaches so that the Game Balance Law can operate.

Try and conversion. The conversion must be a drop kick and must be taken within 30 seconds of the try being awarded or at the discretion of the referee. The kick is disallowed if not taken within 30 seconds. Opposing players assemble close to their own 10m line (Sevens Variation 8.14). No penalty goals or dropped goals.

Not permitted.

Not permitted.

Permitted. Drop goals are not permitted.

Player management by the Team Coach, Manager and the Referee. The player spends time on the sideline, during which the coach explains why they have been removed from play. The period is at the discretion of the coach and team officials. The player can be replaced.

Player management by the Team Coach, Manager and the Referee. The player spends time on the sideline, during which the coach explains why they have been removed from play. The period is at the discretion of the coach and team officials. The player can be replaced.

Any player shown a Yellow Card shall be suspended for a period of 2 minutes of actual playing time (Sevens Variation 9.29). The player is not replaced. A second yellow card offence by the same player is a send off.

Player management by the Team Coach, Manager and the Referee. The player spends time on the sideline, during which the coach explains why they have been removed from play. The period is at the discretion of the coach and team officials. The player can be replaced.

Player management by the Team Coach, Manager and the Referee. The player spends time on the sideline, during which the coach explains why they have been removed from play. The period is at the discretion of the coach and team officials. The player can be replaced.

Any player shown a red card is immediately suspended until they attend a judicial hearing. The player takes no further part in the tournament pending that hearing. The player is not replaced for the remainder of that match and the team plays with six. The team returns to seven players for its next match. All Red Cards must be recorded in Rugby Xplorer.

Advantage is not played for any foul play under World Rugby Law 9, except in the act of scoring a try, where a penalty try is awarded. Where foul play occurs, the Referee must immediately stop play and award the Penalty Kick to the non-offending team. Advantage is played in all other circumstances, including knock-ons and forward passes.

Advantage is not played for any foul play under World Rugby Law 9, except in the act of scoring a try, where a penalty try is awarded. Where foul play occurs, the Referee must immediately stop play and award the Penalty Kick to the non-offending team. Advantage is played in all other circumstances, including knock-ons and forward passes.

Advantage is not played for any foul play under World Rugby Law 9, except in the act of scoring a try, where a penalty try is awarded. Where foul play occurs, the Referee must immediately stop play and award the Penalty Kick to the non-offending team. Advantage is played in all other circumstances, including knock-ons and forward passes.

No Blue Card by Referee, but Concussion Management Procedure (CMP) still applies in its entirety. Managed by the Referee in consultation with the on-field coach and the medic, first aid officer or trainer. Player Welfare is the number one consideration: if in doubt, sit them out (and apply the CMP)

No Blue Card by Referee, but Concussion Management Procedure (CMP) still applies in its entirety. Managed by the Referee in consultation with the on-field coach and the medic, first aid officer or trainer. Player Welfare is the number one consideration: if in doubt, sit them out (and apply the CMP)

No Blue Card by Referee, but Concussion Management Procedure (CMP) still applies in its entirety. Managed by the Referee in consultation with the team coach from the sideline and the medic, first aid officer or trainer. There is no on-field coach at this age group. Player Welfare is the number one consideration: if in doubt, sit them out (and apply the CMP)

A maximum 30 point difference.

Once the threshold is reached, the coach of the team that is losing chooses one of three options: • Option 1: Teams are mixed and players are shared. • Option 2: Play continues. No changes to teams. • Option 3: The game is ended. Whichever option is chosen, the result is recorded as the score at the moment the threshold was reached. The Referee's own authority to stop play for safety reasons is unaffected and exists independently of this law. The score must be known on the field at every age group so that this law can operate.

A maximum 35 point difference.

Once the threshold is reached, the coach of the team that is losing chooses one of three options: • Option 1: Teams are mixed and players are shared. • Option 2: Play continues. No changes to teams. • Option 3: The game is ended. Whichever option is chosen, the result is recorded as the score at the moment the threshold was reached. The Referee's own authority to stop play for safety reasons is unaffected and exists independently of this law. The score must be known on the field at every age group so that this law can operate.

A maximum 40 point difference.

Once the threshold is reached, the coach of the team that is losing chooses one of three options: • Option 1: Teams are mixed and players are shared. • Option 2: Play continues. No changes to teams. • Option 3: The game is ended. Whichever option is chosen, the result is recorded as the score at the moment the threshold was reached. The Referee's own authority to stop play for safety reasons is unaffected and exists independently of this law. The score must be known on the field at every age group so that this law can operate.

No injury time is played.

No injury time is played.

No injury time is played.

Not mandatory under Rugby Australia junior law, but Rugby Australia strongly recommends all contact players wear a properly fitted mouthguard. Some competitions make them compulsory - check local rules.

Not mandatory under Rugby Australia junior law, but Rugby Australia strongly recommends all contact players wear a properly fitted mouthguard. Some competitions make them compulsory - check local rules.

Not mandatory under Rugby Australia junior law, but Rugby Australia strongly recommends all contact players wear a properly fitted mouthguard. Some competitions make them compulsory - check local rules.

The RA Concussion Management Procedure applies to all rugby at all ages. Any player with signs or symptoms of suspected concussion must leave the field immediately. No person (medic, first aid officer, trainer, coach or doctor) can override this. The player can be replaced. Graduated Return to Play: minimum 21 days for players aged 18 and under.

The RA Concussion Management Procedure applies to all rugby at all ages. Any player with signs or symptoms of suspected concussion must leave the field immediately. No person (medic, first aid officer, trainer, coach or doctor) can override this. The player can be replaced. Graduated Return to Play: minimum 21 days for players aged 18 and under.

The RA Concussion Management Procedure applies to all rugby at all ages. Any player with signs or symptoms of suspected concussion must leave the field immediately. No person (medic, first aid officer, trainer, coach or doctor) can override this. The player can be replaced. Graduated Return to Play: minimum 21 days for players aged 18 and under.

• Players turning 8 years of age in the calendar year can participate (actual age grade). • Players turning 7 years of age in the calendar year can participate with parental consent (non-contact to contact rugby). • Players turning 9 years of age in the calendar year can apply for a dispensation assessment to potentially play down a single-year age grade

• U9: Players turning 8 or 9 years of age in the calendar year can participate (acceptable practice / eligible age grades). • U10: Players turning 9 or 10 years of age in the calendar year can participate (acceptable practice / eligible age grades). Rugby Australia's Size for Age guidelines will also apply (U10 only).

• U11: Players turning 10 or 11 years of age in the calendar year can participate (acceptable practice / eligible age grades). • U12: Players turning 11 or 12 years of age in the calendar year can participate (acceptable practice / eligible age grades). Rugby Australia's Size for Age guidelines will also apply.

Mixed gender. Boys and girls may be selected in the same team and play with and against each other. Rugby Australia Participation Policy starting position: males and females may participate in mixed gender rugby up to and including the calendar year (1 January to 31 December) in which they turn 12 years of age.

Source: Rugby Australia Participation Policy (Starting Policy Positions) and the Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure, both held in the Rugby Australia policy register. Referenced rather than restated in full so this law set does not go stale when the policy is revised. The Participation Policy expressly does not apply to non-contact rugby including Touch7s. This law set is contact 7s, so the policy applies in full. Do not carry these rows into the Tri Tag law sets unchanged.

Mixed gender. Boys and girls may be selected in the same team and play with and against each other. Rugby Australia Participation Policy starting position: males and females may participate in mixed gender rugby up to and including the calendar year (1 January to 31 December) in which they turn 12 years of age.

Source: Rugby Australia Participation Policy (Starting Policy Positions) and the Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure, both held in the Rugby Australia policy register. Referenced rather than restated in full so this law set does not go stale when the policy is revised.

Mixed gender. Boys and girls may be selected in the same team and play with and against each other. This is the last age band in which mixed gender is the starting position. Eligibility runs to the end of the calendar year in which a player turns 12.

Resolved. Eligibility follows the player's age in the calendar year, as set by the Participation Policy. A player turning 12 who plays up in U13 may play mixed gender without a dispensation.

Not applicable. Mixed gender participation is the starting position at this age group, so no dispensation is required.

Source: Rugby Australia Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure. The procedure exists only for players above the mixed gender starting position age.

Not applicable. Mixed gender participation is the starting position at this age group, so no dispensation is required.

Source: Rugby Australia Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure. The procedure exists only for players above the mixed gender starting position age.

Not applicable. Mixed gender participation is the starting position at this age group, so no dispensation is required.

Source: Rugby Australia Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure. The procedure exists only for players above the mixed gender starting position age.

Rugby Australia supports a player's participation in the gender competition with which they identify. Where the age group is played as mixed gender, dispensation is generally not engaged. Where a single gender competition is offered, the Gender Identity Dispensation Procedure applies.

Source: Rugby Australia Participation Policy (Gender Identification) and the Community Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in Rugby.

Rugby Australia supports a player's participation in the gender competition with which they identify. Where the age group is played as mixed gender, dispensation is generally not engaged. Where a single gender competition is offered, the Gender Identity Dispensation Procedure applies.

Source: Rugby Australia Participation Policy (Gender Identification) and the Community Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in Rugby.

Rugby Australia supports a player's participation in the gender competition with which they identify. Where the age group is played as mixed gender, dispensation is generally not engaged. Where a single gender competition is offered, the Gender Identity Dispensation Procedure applies.

Source: Rugby Australia Participation Policy (Gender Identification) and the Community Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in Rugby.