GAME ON PROVISIONS

A flexible game format that lets matches go ahead with a meaningful result even when a team is short on numbers or front row players.

Where This Applies

Senior Rugby

Women's 10s, First Grade, and Under 85kgs

Secondary School Rugby

2C, 1RB, 5B, 5C, 6B, U15B, U14B, U15R

Junior Rugby

All grades

These are designated non-premier grades. Game On only kicks in when a team has fewer than 15 players and/or not enough trained front row players to start the match.

Key Definitions

Temporary Replacement

A player who temporarily replaces another who leaves the field to have bleeding controlled or a wound covered, or who replaces a front row player who has been temporarily suspended or needs to get a mouthguard.

Permanent Replacement

A player who permanently replaces an injured player, or a front row forward who has been ordered off.

Rolling Substitutions

Up to 12 tactical substitutions per team, only made when the ball is dead and with the referee's permission.

Secondary School Rugby

All grades of rugby between U14 and U19 inclusive, including teams made up of secondary school students whether they're representing schools or clubs.

Designated Premier Grade Competitions

Competitions designated as such by the Provincial Union or other governing body. More than one grade can hold this status at the same time.

Law 3, Fewer Than Fifteen Players

Premier grade: if a team can't provide at least 15 players including the required number of trained front rowers, that team forfeits. The opposition wins and gets full competition points, no bonus points. The match can still be played under Game On, but it won't affect the official result.

Non-premier grade: if a team can't provide at least 15 players, including at least 3 trained front rowers, but both teams have at least 10 players, the game goes ahead under Game On with no impact on the result or points.

Front Row Requirements (Premier Grade)

Players Nominated	Trained Front Row Players Required
15 to 20	3
21	4
22	5

Non-premier grade teams need a minimum of 3 trained front row players regardless of squad size. If there aren't enough available, the match proceeds with uncontested scrums under Game On, with no consequence to the result.

Rolling Substitutions

Rolling substitutions are not allowed in Premier Grade or Secondary School matches. They're only permitted in non-premier, non-secondary school matches, and only when the game is being played under Game On Provisions.

Law 5, Duration of Match

An Under 19 match runs two 35 minute halves, 70 minutes total. If a knockout match is drawn after 70 minutes, no extra time is played.

Players Under 19 and below can play a maximum of 90 minutes total in one day, under World Rugby guidelines.

How Game On Works

Team Size

Playing numbers, between 10 and 15 a side, are agreed between the teams. If they can't agree, both teams play with the number the smaller team has.

Rolling Subs

Allowed in grades above Secondary School Rugby unless both teams agree otherwise and tell the referee before kickoff. Secondary School Rugby follows the half game rule instead.

Contested or Uncontested Scrums

If both teams start with at least 3 trained front row players, scrums are contested. If any of those players leave the field, it switches to uncontested.

Length of Match

Agreed between the teams. Minimum 40 minutes, maximum 70 for Secondary School Rugby, maximum 80 for grades above that. If there's no agreement, match length follows team size, shown below.

Match Length by Team Size

Team Size	Halves	Max Total
10 a side	2 x 20 min	40 min
11 a side	2 x 25 min	50 min
12 a side	2 x 30 min	60 min
13 to 14 a side	2 x 35 min	70 min
15 a side	2 x 40 min	80 min (70 min for Secondary School Rugby)