2025 NORTHERN REGION UNDER 18 BOYS GRADE COMPETITION RULES
REFEREES: World Rugby Laws apply, with addition to the Laws that came into effect on the 1st July, to this grade 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. Development Men/Development Women/Divisional XV Men and Under 19 are Premier grades.
Head High Tackle framework in play – For all the following representative rugby - U13, U14, U15, U16, U18, U19, Heartland U20, Heartland Development, HPC, and FPC, the tackle height EDSLV (primary tackler contact point below the base of the sternum) will apply. Note: this EDSLV does not apply to Development Men grade and Divisional XV Men ONLY
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 for 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 Blues/Chiefs Regional Squad Referees coordinators, Provincial Union REO or Referees Association as co-ordinated by the Northern Region Referee Co-ordinator.
ELIGIBILITY: All players must have played for and be registered to a School or Club in the province they are playing for.
TEAM NUMBERS: The maximum number of players in each squad for each game is 22. Up to seven substitutions may be made for any reasons. (Refer Laws of the Game).
PROOF OF AGE:It is the responsibility of the Manager of each team to carry with him / her proof that all players in the team comply with the age limit. Managers are to use the Northern Region Age Verification Sheet template. Players must be Under 18 as of the 1st January, 2025, however Thames Valley, King Country and Ngati Porou East Coast may use Under 19 players.
PLAYING TIME: The period of play shall be 35 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.
MATCH RESULTS: Notification of results must be via the RX 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 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 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 should be maintained at all times. Bad language will not be tolerated on or off the field from player’s coaches and managers.
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