Game set up, restarts and management for U13&14. These are guidelines for coaches, managers and competition administrators rather than sanctionable laws.
Playing Numbers
15 players on the field.
World Rugby law+
Law 3.1 sets the senior maximum at 15 players.
On-Field Player Numbers
Teams must match numbers, unless a player is sanctioned with a Yellow Card or Red Card.
World Rugby law+
Law 3.1 to 3.2 (team numbers).
Minimum Numbers Required for a Game To Take Place
Minimum numbers for a game is 10 players per team - 5x person scrum (front row + second row) If 11 players per team - 5x person scrum (front row + second row) If 12 players per team - 6 person scrum (front row + second row + no8) If 13 players per team - 6 person scrum (front row + second row + no8) If 14 players per team - 6 person scrum (front row + second row + no8)
Suggested Maximum Squad Size
23
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. Squad size is an administrative and participation guideline.
Replacements
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 and a lineout should take place; or following an unsuccessful conversion.
World Rugby law+
Law 3.4 to 3.5. Law 3.34 caps rolling and tactical replacements at 12 where a match organiser permits them.
Playing Area
Full field. All field markings are used and referred to as painted.
World Rugby law+
Law 1.3: senior field dimensions are a maximum of 100m x 70m (minimum 94m x 68m).
Ball Size
Size 4 (male and female).
World Rugby law+
Law 2.3 to 2.4.
Recommended Playing Time
50 mins.
World Rugby law+
Law 5.1 sets the senior maximum at 80 minutes (2 x 40); Law 5.3 allows the match organiser to reduce match length.
Maximum Warm-Up Time
30 mins.
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. A match day logistics provision.
Injury Time
No injury time is played. This applies at every age group from U8 to U18.
World Rugby law+
Law 5.5(a): the referee may stop play for up to one minute for a player injury.
Scoring & Conversions
World Rugby Law. Try, conversion, penalty goal and dropped goal all apply.
World Rugby law+
Law 8.1 sets senior points values (try 5, conversion 2, penalty goal 3, dropped goal 3).
Field Support – On-Field Coach
No on-field coach. On-field coaching applies at U8 to U10 only. It is recommended that the coach stands behind the player's bench, inside the field enclosure.
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law.
Coaching Accreditation (Recommended)
Option 1: Junior Coach (Junior Coach Course). Option 2: Community Coach (Essential Coaching Skills) Smart Rugby Season Ready
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. A coaching accreditation and workforce matter.
Yellow Card
Any player shown a yellow card in a XVs match shall be suspended for a period of: - Five (5) minutes of playing time, when the match is scheduled to be 50 minutes or less in length; - Ten (10) minutes of playing time, when the match is scheduled to be more than 50 minutes in length.
World Rugby law+
Law 9.29 sets the senior sin bin period at 10 minutes.
Red Card
Any player shown a red card in a XVs match is immediately suspended until they attend a judicial hearing. They may be replaced after; - Ten (10) minutes of playing time, when the match is scheduled to be 50 minutes or less in length; - Twenty (20) minutes of playing time, when the match is scheduled to be more than 50 minutes in length.
World Rugby law+
Law 9.30.
Blue Card
Blue Card. Managed by the Referee in consultation with the medic, first aid officer or trainer. All Blue Cards must be recorded in Rugby Xplorer.
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. Governed under World Rugby Concussion Guidance and the RA Concussion Management Procedure.
Concussion Protocol (RA CMP)
The RA Concussion Management Procedure (CMP) 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. Source: RA Concussion Management Procedure, australia.rugby/about/codes-and-policies/safety-and-welfare/concussion-management
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. Governed under World Rugby Concussion Guidance (Regulation 10, Law 3.11) and the RA Concussion Management Procedure.
Game Balance Law
Maximum points difference: 60 points. 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. 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.
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. This is an RA specific mechanic.
Mouthguards
Not mandatory under the Rugby Australia Junior and Youth Laws, but Rugby Australia strongly recommends all contact players wear a properly fitted mouthguard. Competitions may choose to make them compulsory, and players are advised to consult local competition rules.
World Rugby law+
Law 4.3(f): a mouthguard is a permitted item of clothing.
Kick Off & Restarts (after a try)
Non-try-scoring team restarts the game by drop kick (World Rugby Law). A contest for possession is permitted. Defenders back 10m.
World Rugby law+
Law 12.4 (restart after a score).
Advantage
Where foul play meets the Penalty Kick threshold, the Referee may play advantage to allow continuity and flow. If in doubt, award the penalty. Where foul play meets the Yellow Card threshold or higher, including Dangerous Play (WR Laws 9.11 to 9.25) and Misconduct (WR Laws 9.27 and 9.28), advantage is not played. The Referee stops play immediately, except in the act of scoring a try.
World Rugby law+
Law 7 (Advantage).
Goal Line Drop Out
World Rugby Law, including the goal line drop out applying from 2027.
World Rugby law+
Law 12.11 to 12.13.
50m / 22m Kick
Permitted. World Rugby Law.
World Rugby law+
Law 18.8(a).
Scrum – Set-Up / Numbers
8 players per team. World Rugby Law.
World Rugby law+
Law 19.5 to 19.6 (8 players in the senior game).
Scrum – Players Removed for Card
Uncontested scrums are ordered by the Referee where any of the following applies: 1. The scrum is reduced through injury or a card and the team is left with no suitably trained front row players available to take the field. 2. The team does not have suitably trained front row players to start the match. 3. The Referee determines that the scrum must be uncontested on safety grounds. Once ordered, uncontested scrums are played with eight players per side, reducing in line with World Rugby Law 19.6 where a team is incomplete, to a minimum of five. Where a team has twelve players, six per side are required. RUGBY AUSTRALIA RECOMMENDATION (not law, applied through competition rules): Where a team can start the match with a contested scrum and then needs to go uncontested due to injury or foul play, the team does not need to drop a player. World Rugby Law 19.6 U19 Law Variation All players in the three front-row positions and the two lock positions must be suitably trained for these positions. If a team cannot field such suitably trained players for whatever reason, then the referee must order uncontested scrums. Uncontested scrums as a result of a sending off, yellow card or injury must be played with eight players per side. a. In an eight-person scrum, the formation must be 3-4-1, with the single player (normally the number eight) shoving on the two locks. The locks must pack with their heads either side of the hooker. b. When a team's scrum is reduced to fewer than eight players for any reason, the number of players in the other team's scrum must be similarly reduced. c. Where a permitted reduction is made in the scrum by one team, the other team must reduce their scrum accordingly, down to a minimum of five. d. Where there is an incomplete scrum, it must be formed as follows. i. Seven Players - 3-4 formation (no number eight) ii. Six Players - 3-2-1 formation (no flankers) iii. Five Players - 3-2 formation (no flankers or number eight)
World Rugby law+
Law 3.15 to 3.20 (uncontested scrums following a card or injury).
Lineout – Set-Up / Numbers
World Rugby Law. The throwing team determines the number of participants; the non-throwing team cannot exceed it.
World Rugby law+
Law 18.10 to 18.16 (forming a lineout; minimum of 2 players per team).
Lineout – Lifting
Permitted for both teams. The lineout is contested. World Rugby Law.
World Rugby law+
Law 18.19 and 18.29(c).
Lineout – Players Removed for Card
World Rugby Law. The non-throwing team cannot have more players in the lineout than the throwing team.
World Rugby law+
Law 18.13 to 18.14.
Age Group Window
U13 = Players turning 12 or 13 years of age in the calendar year can participate (acceptable practice / eligible age grades). U14 = Players turning 13 or 14 years of age in the calendar year can participate (acceptable practice / eligible age grades). Age Grade Dispensation Any player requesting to play 2 single age grades up or 1 single age grade down will require Age Grade Dispensation approval. Rugby Australia's Size for Age guidelines (including mandatory assessment where required) will also apply. Mixed Gender Dispensation Rugby Australia's Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure will also apply. Schedule B Any player intending to play 2 single age grades up in a front row position will require Schedule B assessment and approval. Any player with an approved Mixed Gender Dispensation who also intends to play in a front row position will require Schedule B assessment and approval.
World Rugby law+
WR Player Welfare Guidelines Age Differential Playing Guideline: Best Practice = play within a one year "age window" Acceptable Practice = play within a two year "age window" Exceptional Practice = play within a three year "age window" following a specific criteria in Union policy (including consent and assessment)
Gender Participation
Single gender by default. Boys and girls play in separate competitions. Mixed gender participation at U13 and U14 is available only through the Rugby Australia Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure.
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. Governed by the Rugby Australia Participation Policy.
Mixed Gender Dispensation
Available. From the calendar year in which she turns 13, a girl may play in a mixed gender team at U13 or U14 where no other opportunity to play regular rugby exists. The Rugby Australia Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure must be followed and approval rests with the Competition Manager.
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. Governed by the Rugby Australia Mixed Gender Dispensation Procedure.
Gender Identity
Rugby Australia supports a player's participation in the gender competition with which they identify. A player wishing to play in a gender competition different to the sex listed on their birth certificate must follow the Gender Identity Dispensation Procedure. Approval rests with the Competition Manager.
World Rugby law+
Not a World Rugby Law. Governed by the Rugby Australia Gender Identity Dispensation Procedure.
