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Northern Region Representative Rugby

NORTHERN REGION UNDER 16 BOYS GRADE 2024 COMPETITION RULES

TOURNAMENT: Please refer to the specific tournament manual for the Northern Region Tournament .

REFEREES: World Rugby Laws apply to this grade including New Zealand Domestic Law Variations (NZDSLV), including ALL Experimental DSLV’s

  • Law 3 Team – As per NZDSLV
  • Law 4 Players’ Clothing – As per NZDSLV (Mouthguards compulsory)
  • Law 19 Scrum – As per NZDSLV
  • 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 NPC U20, NPC Development and NPC.
  • Scrum – Limited to 1.5m push everywhere in the field of play
  • Halfback Offside at Scrum – Not advance past the tunnel, remain within 1m of the scrum at tunnel – per EDSLV’s 
  • NO Game-ON Provisions
  • Referees and Assistant Referees will be appointed either by the relevant Provincial Union REO or Referees Association.
  • 2024 NEW LAWS
    • ONSIDE RULE FROM KICKS IN PLAY

- No longer possible for a player to be put on-side when an opposition player catches the ball and runs 5 metres, or passes the ball

- Offside player must make an attempt to retreat, creating space for the opposition to play

  • FREE KICK & SCRUM OPTIONS

- No longer possible to choose a scrum from a freekick

- Free-kicks must be tapped or kicked

- Intention is to create more ball in flow

  • BANNING THE CROCODILE ROLL

- Any action of rolling, twisting or pulling a player on their feet in the tackle area will be outlawed

- Sanctioned by a penalty

In addition there are four other laws being trialled (closed trials) which will apply to all representative rugby:

  • PROTECTION OF THE HALF BACK (No.9) AT THE BASE OF THE SCRUM, RUCK & MAUL (already being applied)

- Offside line at the scrum for the defending No. 9 will be middle of the tunnel

- No. 9 will not be able to be played while the ball is still near a tackle, ruck or maul

  • PLAYING THE BALL AFTER A MAUL STOPS ONCE
    • Must be played after the maul has stopped once, not twice

  • PLAY ON AT LINEOUT IF BALL IS NOT THROWN STRAIGHT

- Only if the lineout is uncontested (defending team lifting a jumper)

  • SIMPLIFIED RED CARD SANCTION PROCESS
    • Red carded player can be replaced by another player after 20 minutes (already being applied)

  • BOOT CHECK

NZR is also aware the pre-match boot check has waned to the point that many referees do not bother with it. Under Law 6.4 they must do a boot check. Referees have been directed to reinforce Law 6.4.

TEAM NUMBERS: The maximum number of players in each squad for each game is 22. Up to seven substitutes 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 16 as of the 1st January, 2024.

PLAYING TIME:  The tournament period of play shall be 22 minutes in each half with 5 minutes for half time.

 U16 SUBSTITUTIONS:   All U16 players must get half a game under the NZRU DSLV Law for teenage minimum playing time. All players must play a minimum of half a game. Non-injury substitutions may be made at half time. Rolling substitutions are not permitted.

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 MyRugby App for Managers or, team managers are to notify the results to the tournament director/administrator immediately after the game which will be automatically uploaded to the SKED Competition Management system.

ORDERING OFF & SIN BIN NOTIFICATION: Notification of all ordering offs and sin bins must be by the Referee through the MyRugby 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.