Players
The game shall be played by two teams of 13 players, with another 4 pre-named players available for six interchanges. The players are numbered 1 to 13 with additional numbers for substitutes. The numbers normally relate to the players position as shown.
- Full back - This player is the last line of defense and must be able to take bombs (high kicks) under pressure.
- Right wing three-quarter (Wing) - The wing is usually the faster player on the field. He usually take the ball after a back line movement and tends to score many tries.
- Right centre three-quarter (Centre) - the centre is usually a quick but solid player who has the ability to break the opositions line.
- Left centre three-quarter (Centre) - see right centre three-quarter
- Left wing three-quarter (Wing) - see right wing three-quarter
- Five-eighth half (Stand off) - the 5/8 is a key player and usually has a good kicking game and ball skills.
- Scrum half - the half back is the play maker around the ruck area. He decides to feed the back line or work with the forwards.
- Prop forward (Prop) - The props are the biggest players on the field and are relied upon to hit the ball up all day and to defend will.
- Hooking forward (Hooker) - the hooking role has changed over the years. It used to be a skill of hooking the ball during the scrum but is now more a defending and dummy-half role.
- Front-row forward (Prop or front-row) - see prop forward
- Second-row forward (Second-row) - the second rower is typically a combination between the props and the lock foward.
- Second-row forward (Second-row) - see above
- Loose forward (known as Lock forward in Australia) - the lock forward is a tought defended who usually tops the tackle count. He is also generally the quickest of the forwards.
Players Equipment
A players equipment shall consist of a jersey, shorts, socks and studded boots. Protective clothing may be worn eg. sholder pads, head gear, mouth guard.
The colours of the jerseys worn by the teams shall be easily distinguishable and, if, they are similiar in colour then the away team will wear and alterbative strip (jersey).
The game is played with an oval air-inflated ball, typically made of leather. The dimensions of the ball are approximately 28cm long, 74cm longest circumference, 59cm widest circumferenc and weight 410g.
Point Scoring
A try is scored when the ball is grounded in the opponents' in-goal (4 points). Once a try is scored a conversion attempt may be taken to kick the ball over the opponents' cross-bar (2 points). If the referee cannot decide if the try was scored he may consult the his touch judges or give the decision to the video referee (if the game is televised).
If a player is penalised for an infringement a penalty kick for goal may be taken if the penalty is within kicking range of the opponents' goal. This is typically a place kick. (2 points).
If at any time during the game the attacking team is within kicking range of the opponents' goal, a field goal make be taken. This is a drop punt (1 point). A successful field goal to be awarded even if the ball has been touched in flight.
When a kick at goal is being taken, the referee shall assign one touch-judge to each post. If there is no disagreement between the two touch-judges then their decision shall be accepted. In the event of disagreement, the referee will make the final decision.
If a player infringes an opponent who is touching down for a try, a penalty kick at goal shall be taken from in front of the goal-posts after the attempt to convert the try. If the try was not scored because of the infringement then a penalty try can be given. (8 points is both goals are kicked).
After any points are scored the ball shall be deemed dead and play restarted from the half-way line. The game shall be won by the side scoring the greater number of points. If both sides score an equal number of points, or if both sides fail to score, then the game shall be drawn. Finals and important games may go to extra time of 10 minutes each way.
Penalty Kick
A penalty kick shall be awarded against any player who is guilty of misconduct provided that is not to the disadvantage of the non-offending side. In the event of further misconduct by the offending side, the referee shall advance the mark 10m towards the offending team's goal-line.
A player may take a penalty kick by punting, drop-kicking, or place-kicking the ball from any point on or directly behind the mark (the place where the ingringement occured). The ball can be kicked in any direction (including backwards if the team requires room for a set play near the try line). If the ball is kicked into touch from a penalty kick the game is restarted by placing the ball on the ground 10m infield opposite the point of entry into touch.
Players of the kicker's side must be behind the ball when it is kicke and players of the opposing team shall retire 10m. If the ball is kicked into touch without touching any other player the kicking team shall restart play with a free kick. If a penalty is awarded for an offence by the attacking team in the opponents' in-goal area the mark shall be 5m in the field-of-play opposite to where the offence occurred.
Time-keeping
The game is 80 minutes' duration. At half-time there is an interval of 10 minutes. A team defends one in-goal for the first half of the game and then change ends for the second half.
If the ball is in play when time expires , the referee terminates play when next the ball goes out of play or a player in possession is tackled but time shall be extended to allow a penalty kick or a kick at goal to be taken, in which case the half is terminated when next the ball goes out of play or a tackle is effected, unless a further penalty is awarded, in which case time is extended for the kick to be taken.
Time may be called off for periods during the game for extended stopages eg. injuries.
Kick Off
The captains of the two teams shall toss for choice of ends in the presence of the referee. The team of the captain losing the toss shall kick off to start the game. A kick-off is a place-kick from the centre of the half-way line.
The non-scoring side will kick to restart play. If the kicker finds touch, the kicking team will get the loose and feed.
20m Restart
The game will commence with a ‘free’ kick from the centre of the 20 metre line (ie The ball does not have to be tapped on the ground) if :-
- an attacking player last touches the ball before it goes out of play over the dead-ball-line, or into touch-in-goal except from a penalty kick or from a kick-off from the centre of the half-way line
- an attacking player infringes in the in-goal area. In the event of a deliberate breach by an attacking player a penalty kick is awarded 5m in the field-of-play in line with where the breach was committed
- a defending player, in his in-goal, takes a kick in general play from an opponent on the full.
Drop-Out
The game is restarted with a drop-out by a defending player from the centre of his goal-line if
- a defending player last touches the ball before it goes over the dead-ball line or into touch-in-goal
- a defending player accidentally infringes in the in-goal area
- a defending player touches down in the in-goal area.
- a defending player in possession is tackled in the in-goal area.
- a defending player kicks the ball into touch on the full from his own in-goal area.
Kick Penalties
A player who kicks-off or drops-out shall be penalised if he:
- Advances in front of the appropriate line before kicking the ball.
- Kicks the ball on the full over the touch-line, touch-in-goal line, or over the dead-ball-line.
- Kicks the ball so that it fails to travel at least 10m forward in the field of play.
Any other player shall be penalised if he:
- Wilfully touches the ball from a kick-off or drop-out before it has travelled 10m forward in the field of play.
- Runs in front of one of his own team who is kicking-off or dropping-out.
- Approaches nearer than 10m to the line from which the kick is being taken when an opponent is kicking-off or dropping-out.
