Rules to be played in 2007 season

The normal Under 19 Laws of Rugby as per the International Rugby Board (IRB) shall apply but with variations (listed below) so the game will be open, enjoyed more and the chances of being injured are less. Other variations can be organised prior to the game at the discretion of the captains and the referee.

All 8 forwards must remain bound in the scrum until the ball has been cleared.
The half-back (scrum-half) must not follow the ball around the scrum.
There must be no pressure scrummaging or wheeling of the scrum.
There shall be no striking against the head by the hookers.
In lineouts all 8 forwards must take part.
No lifting in lineouts.
Defending players may kick the ball only in their own 22 and only into touch. Attacking players are not allowed to kick the ball in general play.
No taking out opponents without the ball (cleaning out) around the rucks and mauls.
No advancing more than 20 meters without passing the ball
Teams scoring a try shall also restart the game by kicking to their opponents.
Unlimited substitution is permitted and 'subbed' players may return at any time.
Players must observe the offside rule, particularly that of remaining behind the hindmost foot at rucks and mauls.
Backs (both sides) must stay 5 meters behind scrums and 10 meters from lineouts.
Each game shall consist of two 20-minute periods.
Tries will not be converted.
Captains are responsible for the behaviour of their players.
All players must observe the restrictions on tackling players wearing coloured shorts (see below).

Red, Gold and Purple short players are not allowed to tackle players wearing colored shorts and can only ‘tag’ players as detailed below.

Coloured Shorts/ Coloured Bibs

35 - 59 years			Normal team shorts: If a player in this age group has a medical or physical condition and does not want to be tackled, they may wear red shorts as detailed below.
60 - 64 years			Red shorts: Players wearing red shorts cannot be tackled to the ground or pushed off his feet. He can be claimed or his forward motion stopped by being held firmly or 'wrapped' but must be allowed to play the ball. Only two players per team wearing red shorts in this age category are allowed on the field at a time. To avoid confusion, overall team uniforms in this age group cannot include red shorts. The defender may stand in front of the player with the ball (the red shorts player) with outstretched arms to prevent further forward movement, but allowing the player to play the ball.
65 - 69			Gold Shorts: Not to be tackled (see above)
70 +			Purple shorts: Not to be tackled or touched (or even breathed on too heavily!)

If available, teams shall supply fluorescent coloured vests or bibs to be worn by coloured/non-club short wearers. This is to ensure that the opposition cannot mistake these players from those not wearing coloured shorts. It is a safety measure to ensure that these players are not injured.
Teams may not use "coloured shorts" wearers to gain competitive advantage by playing off each other and/or when stopped, by passing the ball to another coloured shorts player who cannot be tackled or claimed as shown below. Referees are briefed to look out for these situations and will penalise for 'obstruction'.
No more than 2 players wearing coloured on non-club shorts are allowed to play for the same team at the same time.
Players wearing coloured/non-club shorts cannot be physically tackled and can only be “claimed” as detailed below.
Additionally, Players wearing coloured/non-club shorts cannot tackle other players. However, they can affect a tackle on another player by tagging an opponent with both hands and shouting “tagged”. Upon being “tagged”, the “tagged” players must stop and pass the ball immediately.
Players wearing the official coloured shorts must release the ball upon being held or stopped or prevented from further movement - or after running 20 metres.

Claiming

"Claiming" or "wrapping" can best be described using this example:
The player with the ball (a wearer of red shorts) cannot be tackled to the ground but may be claimed or held by wrapping ones arms about his body (Diagram 1) to prevent further forward movement but must be able to free the ball to play it. In other words, you can hold them but not tackle them.
A defender can stand in front of players wearing other official coloured shorts with outstretched arms to prevent further forward movement, again allowing the player to play the ball (see Diagram 2).

diagram 1
diagram 2

Last Updated 09/03/2010