JUNIOR RUGBY
Junior players are assigned to teams based on age and weight. New 2024 Auckland Rugby criteria has changed to align with school years i.e if your child is in Year 1 at school they will play in a Year 1 rugby team.
For the 2026 season the grades available are:
| School Year | Contact Type | Grade | Grade Info | Team Size | Field Size |
|---|
| Year 1 | Rippa | U6 | Boys & Girls | 7 a-side | Quarter field |
| Year 2 | Rippa | U7 | Boys & Girls | 7 a-side | Quarter field |
| Year 3 | Tackle | U8 | Open | 7 a-side
| Quarter field
|
| Year 3 | Tackle | U8 restricted | Under 28kg | 7 a-side
| Quarter field
|
| Year 4 | Tackle | U9 | Open | 8 a-side | Adapted Half field |
| Year 4 | Tackle | U9 restricted | Under 33kg | 8 a-side | Adapted Half field
|
| Year 3 or 4 | Rippa | U9 Girls |
| 7 a-side | Adapted Half field
|
| Year 3 or 4 | Rippa | U9 Mixed |
| 7 a-side | Adapted Half field
|
| Year 5 | Tackle | U10 | Open | 9 a-side | Adapted Half field |
| Year 5 | Tackle | U10 restricted | Under 38kg | 9 a-side | Adapted Half field |
| Year 6 | Tackle | U11 | Open | 10 a-side | 3/4 field |
| Year 6 | Tackle | U11 restricted | Under 42kg | 10 a-side | Half field |
| Year 5 or 6 | Rippa | U11 Girls |
| 7 a-side | Half field |
| Year 5 or 6 | Rippa | U11 Mixed |
| 7 a-side | Half field |
| Year 7 | Tackle | U12 | Open | 15 a-side | Full field |
| Year 7 | Tackle | U12 restricted | Under 52kg | 15 a-side | Full field |
| Year 8 | Tackle | U13 | Open | 15 a-side | Full field |
| Year 8 | Tackle | U13 restricted | Under 57kg | 15 a-side | Full field |
| Year 7 or 8 | Rippa | U13 Boys |
| 7 a-side | Half field (Friday night) |
| Year 7 or 8 | Rippa | U13 Girls |
| 7 a-side | Half field |
| Year 8 | Tackle | U13 Girls | Open | 10 a-side | 3/4 field |
For the 2026 season we will try and best fit our teams in one of the available grades. It does not mean that we will be able to field a team in every available grade as it will depend on how many players we have for a particular grade.
- Max weights are end of season weights, i.e. maintained throughout the season
RIPPA RUGBY allows children to play non-tackle rugby using tags that can be pulled (ripped) off to show the tackle instead of contact. It encourages juniors to share possession between them in a very safe game as kicking is not allowed. New grades have been introduced to allow mixed teams of boys and girls ages 8-12, playing on a Saturday.
JUNIOR TACKLE RUGBY is really fun and simple to pick up, it helps you with your ball handling and possession skills which contribute greatly to your overall rugby skills!
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