2026 NORTHERN REGION U85Kg MEN GRADE COMPETITION RULES
REFEREES: World Rugby Laws apply, with addition to the Laws that came into effect this year, including New Zealand Domestic Law Variations (NZDSLV), including some Experimental DSLV’s:
Law 4 Players’ Clothing – As per NZDSLV (Mouthguards compulsory)
Law 19 Scrum – As per NZDSLV. Note: Development Men and Women, Divisional XV Men and Under 20 Men have no Scrum Restrictions
Head High Tackle framework in play – For all the following representative rugby - U13, U14, U15, U16, U18, U19, Development Men, Divisional XV Men, Heartland U20, Heartland Development, Development Women, HPC, and FPC, the tackle height EDSLV (primary tackler contact point below the base of the sternum) will apply.
Halfback Offside at Scrum – Not advance past the tunnel, remain within 1m of the scrum at tunnel – per DSLV’s
NO Game-ON Provisions
Cleaner play away from the Ruck/Maul/Scrum: A player who is, or was apart of the ruck may not play an opponent who is near it (within 1m, and who is attempting to play the ball away)
30 seconds to form a lineout. Teams form the lineout within 30 seconds of a mark being made.
60 seconds for conversions.
Croc Roll is now banned. A Prohibited action where a player laterally rolls/twists or pulls a player, who is on their feet in the tackle area, to ground. The action often lands on the players lower’s limbs.
Not Straight at an uncontested lineout. If the non-throwing team does not lift a teammate to compete for the ball, then play shall continue.
Not straight at contested lineout, is now a Free-Kick
No Scrum option at a free kick. It remains an option for penalty offences.
Referees and Assistant Referees will be appointed either by the relevant National Squad Referees coordinators, Provincial Union REO or Referees Association as co-ordinated by the Northern Region Referee Co-ordinator.
ELIGIBILITY: Only players who are registered to the U85Kg grade in their PU and play in that grade and players who participate in the 2026 U85 National Cup, are eligible to participate in the NR U85Kg grade as approved at the NRRC operations meeting held 23 July 2026. Where an U85Kg club side is playing in another PU’s U85Kg competition those players are eligible for the host PU’s representative team with the home PU’s permission.
TEAM NUMBERS: The maximum number of players in each squad is 22. Up to seven substitutes may be made for any reasons. (Refer laws of the Game).
PLAYING TIME: The period of play shall be 40 minutes in each half with 5 minutes for half time.
MATCH POINTS: Match points are to be awarded as 4 for a Win, 2 for a Draw, 1 for a loss within 7 points and 1 bonus point for 4 tries or more.
WEIGHT RESTRICTION: All players are to be under the weight of 85Kg prior to taking the field before each scheduled fixture. Union Officials or Team Managers are to conduct an official weigh-in prior approximately 45 minutes prior to the fixture. Players weighed-out will not be permitted to participate in the fixture.
MATCH RESULTS: Notification of results must be via the RX Rugby Match Day App for Managers or, emailed through to your Provincial Union by 9.00am on the Monday following the game. The Provincial Unions will then send onto the NRRC Secretary sec.draws.nrrc@gmail.com who will collate results / points tables each week in the RX Competition Management System.
AFTERMATCH FUNCTIONS: There is no requirement for teams to present gifts after games.
ORDERING OFF & SIN BIN NOTIFICATION: Notification of all ordering offs and sin bins must be by the Referee through the RX Rugby Match Day App for Referees, or a completed form emailed to the Referees Home Union for sending on to the player’s Home Union. See Judicial-Discipline procedures for Home Unions dealing with disciplinary proceedings.
BEHAVIOUR STANDARDS: Teams are reminded that they are ambassadors to the sport, and to their Union, respect and good behaviour at all times. Bad language will not be tolerated on or off the field from player’s coaches and manager.
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