1. The Touch Lines are in Touch, the Touch in-Goal lines are Touch in-Goal, the Goal Lines are in the In-Goal area and the Dead Ball Line is beyond In-Goal.

2.  Indicates a corner post (see Glossary) placed at the intersection of each goal line and touch line. A corner post is in touch in-goal. Touch Judges should at all times ensure that corner posts are correctly positioned.

3. The goal posts are considered to extend indefinitely upwards. It is recommended that the bottom two metres of each upright be padded. American Football shaped goal posts are permissible provided the relevant dimensions are observed.

4. For adult games the dimensions should be as near maximum as possible to the dimensions stipulated.

5. The broken lines in the PLAN shall consist of marks or dots on the ground not more than 2 metres apart. All transverse lines must be marked across the full width of the field.

Rugby League like other sports has its own "jargon" used to describe certain aspects of playing the game.

Often a number of different names are given to the same action and, of course, many terms have their origin in the rules of the game. It is hoped that through the use of a standard terminology, communication and understanding will be improved between teachers, coaches, players and officials.

1. Shape and Construction The game shall be played with an oval air-inflated ball the outer casing of which shall be of leather or other material approved by the International Board. Nothing shall be used in its construction which might prove dangerous to the players.

2. Size and Weight The dimensions of the ball shall be those approved by the International Board.

3. Ball deflated The Referee shall blow his whistle immediately he notices that the size and shape of the ball no longer comply with the Laws of the Game.

13-a-side 1. The game shall be played by two teams each consisting of not more than thirteen players on the field at any one time.

Substitutes 2. (a) Each team may nominate a maximum of four replacements before the start of the game. Their names along with those of the players must be given to the referee before the start of the game. A maximum of eight interchanges will be allowed from the 17 named players.
Substitutions shall be sanctioned by the Referee or by an official appointed to oversee the substitution process.

2. (b) Where a player is bleeding, the referee shall direct the player to leave the field for attention in which event they may be replaced. This replacement counts for the purpose of 2 (a) above.

Number and Naming of Players 3. For ease of identification, players’ clothing must bear the numbers 1 to 13 with additional numbers for the substitutes. The numbers relate to the positions of the players in their respective teams, these positions being referred to by name and number as set out hereunder.

Backs
(1) Full Back 
(2) Right Wing 
(3) Right Centre  
(4) Left Centre  
(5) Left Wing  
(6) Stand-off 
(7) Scrum Half

Forwards
(8) Prop
(9) Hooker
(10) Front Row Forward
(11) Second Row Forward
(12) Second Row Forward
(13) Loose Forward

Players’ Equipment 4. (a) A player shall not wear anything that might prove dangerous to other players.
(b) A player’s normal gear shall consist of a numbered jersey of distinctive colour and/or pattern, a pair of shorts, socks of distinctive colour and/or pattern and studded boots or shoes.

(c) Protective clothing may be worn provided it contains nothing of a rigid or dangerous nature.

Dangerous Equipment (d) The referee shall order a player to remove any part of their equipment which might be considered dangerous and shall not allow the player to take any further part in the game until the order is obeyed. The player shall retire from the playing field to remove the offending item if the start or restart of the game would otherwise be delayed.

Similar Colours (e) The colours of the jerseys worn by competing teams shall be easily distinguishable and, if, in the opinion of the Referee similarity between the jerseys might affect the proper conduct of the game they may, at their discretion, order either team to change jerseys in accordance with the rules governing the competition in which the game is played.

Studs (f) Studs on boots or shoes shall be no less than 8mm diameter at the apex and, if made of metal, shall have rounded edges.

1. Object The object of the game shall be to ground the ball in the opponents’ in-goal to score tries (see Section 6) and to kick the ball over the opponents’ cross bar to score goals (see Section 6).

2. Start of Play The captains of the two teams shall toss the coin in the presence of the referee. The captain winning the toss shall decide to either kick off or choose which end his team shall defend. The losing captain shall take the other of the alternatives.

3. Mode of Play Once play has started any player who is on side or not out of play can run with the ball kick it in any direction and throw or knock it in any direction other than towards his opponents’ dead ball line (See Section 10 for Knock-on and Forward Pass).

4. Tackling A player who during play is holding the ball may be tackled by an opposing player or players in order to prevent him from running with the ball or from kicking or passing it to one of his own team. (See Section 11 for Tackle).

5. Obstruction A player who is not holding the ball shall not be tackled or obstructed. (See Misconduct).

Value 1. A try shall count four points.

Try and Goal A conversion goal or a penalty goal shall count two points. A drop goal during play shall count one point.

Deciding winners 2. (a) The game shall be won by the team scoring the greater number of points. If both teams score an equal number of points, or if both teams fail to score, then the game shall be drawn.

Try – How scored 3. A try is scored when:–

(a) a player first grounds the ball in his opponents’ in-goal, provided that they are not in touch or touch in-goal or on or over the dead ball line.

(b) opposing players simultaneously ground the ball in the in-goal area provided that the attacking player is not in touch or touch in-goal or on or over the dead ball line.

Sliding try (c) a tackled player’s momentum carries them into the opponents’ in-goal where they ground the ball even if the ball has first touched the ground in the field of play but provided that when the ball crosses the goal line the player is not in touch or touch in-goal or on or over the dead ball line.

Penalty try (d) the Referee may award a penalty try if, in their opinion, a try would have been scored but for the unfair play of the defending team. A penalty try is awarded between the goal posts irrespective of where the offence occurred.

Touching Referee/Others (e) an attacking player carrying the ball comes into contact with the Referee or a Touch Judge or an encroaching spectator in the opponents’ in-goal and play is thereby irregularly affected.

Position of Try 4. The Try is awarded:–

(a) where grounded if scored as in 3(a) and 3(b) above.

(b) where it first crosses the goal line if scored as in 3(c) above.

(c) between the posts if a penalty try.

(d) where contact took place if scored as in 3(e) above.

Referee – Sole judge 5. Only the Referee, or if available, the video referee, may award a try, but the Referee may take into consideration advice given by the Touch Judges before arriving at his decision. They shall signal that a try has been scored by pointing to where the try has been awarded but should only do so after looking at the two Touch Judges to ensure they are not reporting a prior incident.

Goal – 6. A goal is scored if the whole of the ball at any time how scored during its flight passes on the full over the opponents’ cross bar towards the dead ball line after being kicked by a player (and not touching or being touched in flight by any other player) in any of these circumstances:–

(a) by a place kick after a try has been scored and counts two points

(b) by a place kick or a drop kick when a penalty kick has been awarded and counts two points.

Drop Goal 7. A drop goal is scored by a drop kick during play from any position in the field of play and counts one point. A drop goal shall be awarded notwithstanding that the ball touches or has been touched in flight by an opposing player.

Where taken 8. A kick at goal after a try may be taken from any point on an imaginary line drawn parallel to the touch line in the field of play and through the point where the try was awarded. A kick at goal from a penalty kick may be taken from the mark or from any point on an imaginary line drawn from the mark towards the kicker’s own goal line and parallel to the touch line.

Players’ positions 9. When a kick at goal is being taken following a try, the opposing players shall stand outside the field of play. Players of the kicker’s team must be behind the ball. When a kick at goal is being taken from a penalty kick, the opponents shall retire to their goal line or not less than 10 metres from the mark. (See Section 13).

Not to distract kicker It is illegal to attempt to distract the attention of a player who is kicking at goal.

Goal Post(s) 10. For the purpose of judging a kick at goal, the goal posts are assumed to extend indefinitely upwards.

Judging kicks at goal 11. If a Touch Judge is of the opinion that a goal has been scored they shall raise their flag above their head. If the kick is unsuccessful they shall wave their flag in front of them and below the waist. It there is no disagreement between the Touch Judges their decision shall be accepted. In the event of disagreement, the Referee shall decide.

Length of game 1. The game shall normally be of eighty minutes duration.

Interval At half time there shall be an interval of five minutes but this may be extended or reduced.

Changing ends 2. A team shall defend one in-goal for the first half of the game and then change ends for the second half.

End of play 3. If time expires in either half when the ball is out of play or a player in possession has been tackled and the ball has not been played the Referee shall immediately blow his whistle to terminate play. If the ball is in play when time expires, the Referee shall terminate play when next the ball goes out of play or a player in possession is tackled but time shall be extended to allow a penalty kick or a kick at goal to be taken in which case the half is terminated when next the ball goes out of play or a tackle is effected, unless a further penalty is awarded in which case time is again extended for the kick to be taken.

Extra time 4. Extra time shall be added to each half to compensate for time wasted or lost from any cause. The Referee shall be the sole judge of extra time except where these duties have been delegated to a timekeeper.

Recommencing 5. (a) If the continuance of play endangers an injured play after injury player the referee may stop the game. If, when the game is stopped, a player is in possession of the ball the game shall be recommenced by that player playing-the-ball. Otherwise play shall be restarted with a scrum at the point where the ball was when play was stopped with the team then in possession or last in possession, having the loose head and the put-in.

(b) If a player in possession is injured in a tackle and unable to play the ball and play has been stopped, play shall be resumed by a colleague playing the ball at the point where the injured player was tackled.

(c) If a player in possession is injured in a tackle and unable to play the ball the Referee may without stopping the game, provided he is satisfied that continuance of play would not endanger the injured player, direct a colleague of the injured player to play the ball at a point five metres in-field from the point where the player was injured. In the event that a requirement to release the ball may endanger the injured player, the Referee may, at his discretion, order a scrum five metres in-field with the opponents of the team of the injured player having the loose head and the put-in.

Kick off 1. The kick off is a place kick from the centre of the halfway line. The team which loses the toss for choice of ends kicks off to start the first half of the game and their opponents kick off to start the second half.

When points have been scored, the team against which the points have been scored shall kick off to restart the game. The loose head and put-in goes to the kicking side when finding touch other than on the full. It should be noted that the law applies to goal line and 20 metre restarts but not optional kick restarts.

Restarting play at 20m – with an optional kick (i.e. any type of kick) 2. The game is restarted with an optional kick from the  centre of the 20m line if:

(a) an attacking player last touches the ball before it goes out of play over the dead ball line or into touch in-goal except from a penalty kick (see Law 3), or from a kick off from the centre of the halfway line. (see 4(g) and 6(b) below).

(b) an attacking player infringes in the in-goal area. In the event of a deliberate breach by an attacking player a penalty kick is awarded 10 metres in the field of play in line with where the breach was committed. (See Section 13.)

(c) a defending player, in his in-goal, takes a kick in general play from an opponent on the full. The ball may be kicked in any manner and in any direction and is immediately in play. Opposing players shall retire ten metres from the 20m line and shall not advance until the ball has been kicked. Defending players shall not advance in front of the ball before it is kicked. Any deliberate offence by either team shall incur a penalty to be awarded at the centre of the 20m line.

– with drop-out 3. If the ball goes dead in the opponents’ in-goal from a after unsuccessful penalty kick (not necessarily a kick at goal) the game penalty is restarted with a drop-out by a defending player from the centre of the 20m line.

Drop-out from Goal line 4. The game is restarted with a drop-out by a defending player from the centre of his goal line if:

(a) a defending player last touches the ball before it goes over the dead ball line or into touch in-goal.

(b) a defending player accidentally infringes in the in-goal area.

(c) a defending player touches down in the in-goal area.

(d) a defending player in possession is tackled in the in-goal area.

(e) a defending player kicks the ball into touch on the full from their own in-goal.

(f) a defending player kicks or passes the ball in his own in-goal and the ball accidentally strikes an opponent and goes into touch in-goal or over the dead ball line.

(g) the ball or a defending player carrying the ball touches the referee, a touch judge or an encroaching spectator in the in-goal area and play is thereby irregularly affected.

(h) the ball goes over the dead ball line or into touch in-goal other than on the full from a kick off from the centre of the halfway line .

(i) where a kick is made dead by a defending player straddling the dead ball line or touch in goal line.

Ball caught 5. See Law 2 of this Section re ball caught on the full in-goal before being made ‘dead in-goal’.

Offences incurring penalties – kicker 6. A player who kicks off or drops-out shall be penalised if they:–

(a) advances in front of the appropriate line before kicking the ball.

(b) kicks the ball on the full over the touch line, touch in-goal, or over the dead ball line.

(c) kicks the ball so that it fails to travel at least ten metres forward in the field of play.

(d) kicks the ball other than in the prescribed manner.

– other players 7. Any other player shall be penalised if they:–

(a) willfully touches the ball from a kick off or dropout before it has travelled ten metres forward in the field of play.

(b) runs in front of one of their own team who is kicking off or dropping out.

(c) approaches nearer than ten metres to the line from which the kick is being taken when an opponent is kicking off or dropping out.

Penalties – 8. A penalty kick resulting from an offence at the kick where taken off shall be taken from the centre of the halfway line.
Any penalty kick arising from the restarting of play from the 20m line shall be taken from the centre of that line.
A penalty kick resulting from any offence at the dropout from between the posts shall be taken from the centre of the line drawn parallel to and ten metres from the goal line.

Ball in touch (inc - Tackled player in touch on rising) 1. The ball is in touch when it or a player in contact with it touches the touch line or the ground beyond the touch line or any object on or outside the touch line except when a player, tackled in the field of play, steps into touch as they regain their feet in which case they shall play the ball in the field of play.

Jumping player knocks ball back The ball is in touch if a player jumps from touch and while off the ground touches the ball. The ball is not in touch if during flight it crosses the touch line but is knocked back by a player who is off the ground after jumping from the field of play.

Touch in-goal 2. The ball is in touch in-goal when it or a player in contact with it touches the touch in-goal line, or any object on or outside the touch in-goal line.

Points of Entry 3. When a ball has entered touch or touch in-goal, the point of entry shall be taken as the point at which the ball first crossed the touch or touch in-goal line.

Ball back 4. If the ball is kicked by or bounces off a player in a forward direction (except from in-goal – Section 8 No.4 (e) and it goes into touch on the full, a scrum is formed where contact with the ball was made except after the fifth play-the-ball (but not nearer than twenty metres to the touch line or ten (10) metres to the goal line) – (see Section 12).

Touch from 5. If the ball is kicked into touch from a penalty kick the Penalty game is restarted by a free kick ten metres in-field opposite the point of entry into touch. (see Section 13).

Scrum on ‘20’ 6. Other than as outlined in paras. 4 and 5 above, the game is restarted after the ball has gone into touch by forming a scrum twenty metres in-field opposite the point of entry into touch but not nearer than ten (10) metres to the goal line – (see Section 12).

7. In all aspects of general play, a player who does not deliberately play at the ball (eg. ricochet or rebound) will not be disadvantaged by a consequent restart of play when the ball has gone dead or into touch.

Deliberate 1. A player shall be penalised if they deliberately knock on or pass forward.

Accidental 2. If, after knocking-on accidentally, the player knocking-on regains or kicks the ball before it touches the ground, a goal post, cross bar or an opponent, then play shall be allowed to proceed. Otherwise play shall stop and a scrum shall be formed except after the fifth play-the-ball.

Charge-down 3. To charge-down a kick is permissible and is not a knock-on.

Heading the ball 4. It is illegal to head the ball in a forward direction.

Tackle player 1. A player in possession may be tackled by an in possession opposing player or players. It is illegal to tackle or obstruct a player who is not in possession.

When tackled: 2. A player in possession is tackled:

Grounded (a) when they are held by one or more opposing players and the ball or the hand or arm holding the ball comes into contact with the ground.

Upright (b) when the attacking player is held by one or more opposing players in such a manner that they can make no further progress and cannot part with the ball.

Succumbing (c) when, being held by an opponent, the tackled player makes it evident that they have succumbed to the tackle and wishes to be released in order to play the ball.

Hand on player (d) when they are lying on the ground and an opponent already grounded places a hand on them.

No moving of tackled player 3. Once a player in possession has been tackled it is illegal for any player to move or try to move them from the point where the tackle is effected.

Voluntary tackle 4. A player in possession shall not deliberately and unnecessarily allow themselves to be tackled by voluntarily falling to the ground when not held by an opponent. If a player drops on a loose ball they shall not remain on the ground waiting to be tackled if they have time to regain his feet and continue play.

Sliding tackle 5. If a tackled player, because of their momentum slides along the ground, the tackle is deemed to have been effected where the slide ends. (See Section 6, 3(c).)

Verbal instructions to resolve doubt 6. If any doubt arises as to a tackle, the Referee should give a verbal instruction to “play on” or shout “held” as the case may be.

Sixth tackle 7. (a) A team in possession of the ball shall be allowed five successive play-the-balls. A handover shall occur AFTER the fifth tackle in the following circumstances.

i. The team is tackled a sixth time.

ii. The team in possession commits an accidental breach for which a scrum would normally be set.

iii. A player is held up in the opponent’s in-goal.

iv. The ball is kicked into touch on the full. The handover will occur either at the point of the sixth tackle or where the scrum would normally be set - but, in the latter case, not closer than twenty metres from touch. The play-the-ball for this purpose shall not be counted for the purposes of the tackle count and shall operate as provided for in Law 10 of this Section.

Accidental breach “Zero tackle” 7. (b) Where an accidental breach occurs (knock-on, forward pass) and possession changes hands, the following tackle will be a zero tackle, notwithstanding that the team gaining possession may have gained a territorial advantage.

Losing possession – intentionally – accidentally 8. A tackled player shall not intentionally part with the ball other than by bringing it into play in the prescribed manner. If, after being tackled, he accidentally loses possession, a scrum shall be formed except after the fifth play-the-ball.

“Stealing” from tackled player 9. Once a tackle has been completed, no player shall take or attempt to take the ball from the tackled player.

10. The play-the-ball shall operate as follows.

Release tackled player immediately (a) The tackled player shall be immediately released and shall not be touched until the ball is in play.

Regain feet (b) The tackled player shall without delay regain his feet where they were tackled, lift the ball clear of the ground, face the opponent’s goal line and drop or place the ball on the ground in front of their foremost foot.

Player marking (c) One opponent may take up the position immediately opposite the tackled player.

(d) The tackled player may not play the ball before the players effecting the tackle have had time to clear the ruck.

Play with foot (e) When the ball touches the ground it must be heeled (i.e. backwards) by the tackled player. The ball must not be kicked or heeled by the player marking him. The ball is in play when it has been played backward.

Acting halfback (f) A player of each team, to be known as the acting halfback, may stand immediately and directly behind his own player taking part in the play-theball and must remain in this position, until the play-the-ball movement is complete.

Retire at play-the-ball (g) players of the side not in possession other than the player taking part in the play-the-ball and the acting half back are out of play if they fail to retire ten (10) metres from the point at which the ball is played or to their own goal lines. Players of the side in possession other than the player taking part in the play-the-ball and the acting halfback must retire behind their players involved in the play-the-ball or to their own goal line.

(h) having retired the distance prescribed in the preceding paragraph no player of the team not in possession may advance until the ball has cleared the ruck. A player who is out of play may again take part in the game when the advantage gained by not retiring has been lost.

Speed essential 11. The play-the-ball must be performed as quickly as possible. Any player who intentionally delays the bringing of the ball into play shall be penalised.

Tackling on or near the goal line 12. If part of the tackled player is on or over the goal line but the ball is in the field of play the tackled player shall play the ball where the ball lies. If a player is tackled in an upright position bestriding the goal line they are deemed to be tackled in the in-goal area.

When awarded 1. (a) A penalty kick shall be awarded against any player who is guilty of misconduct (Section 15) provided that this is not to the disadvantage of the non-offending team. Unless otherwise stated, the mark is where the offence occurs. If misconduct occurs in touch the mark shall be ten metres from the touch line in the field of play and opposite where the offence occurred or, in the case of obstruction, where the ball next bounces or is caught, in the field of play, or ten metres opposite the point of entry if the ball enters touch on the full, or ten (10) metres from the goal line if the ball crosses the goal line on the full, whichever is to the greater advantage of the non-offending team. If the offence is committed by a defender in his own in-goal or an attacker in his opponents’ in-goal, the mark is taken ten metres into the field of play opposite where the offence occurred. In the event of further misconduct by the offending team, the referee shall advance the mark once only ten metres towards the offending team’s goal line.

(b) In the event of a breach by the kicker’s team a scrum shall be formed at the point where the penalty kick was awarded. In the event of a breach by the opposing team a further penalty kick shall be awarded at a point opposite where the breach occurred on a line parallel to the goal line ten metres from where the penalty kick was awarded.

How Taken 2. A player may take a penalty kick by punting, drop kicking, or place kicking the ball from any point on or behind the mark and equidistant from the touch line.

Other than when kicking for goal (see note to No. 10, Section 6) the ball may be kicked in any direction, after which it is in play.

Position of Players 3. Players of the kicker’s team must be behind the ball when it is kicked.

Players of the team opposing the kicker shall retire to their own goal line or ten metres or more from the mark towards their own goal line and shall not make any attempt to interfere with or distract the attention of the kicker.

They may advance after the ball has been kicked.

Find Touch from Penalty Kick 4. (a) If the ball is kicked into touch without touching any other player the kicking team shall restart play with a free kick. Opposing players shall retire ten metres from the point of entry into touch or to their own goal line.

In the event of a breach by the kicker’s team, a scrum shall be formed twenty metres in-field from touch in line with where the free kick was awarded but no closer than ten metres from the goal line. In the event of a breach by the opposing team a penalty kick shall be awarded at a point opposite where the breach occurred on a line parallel to the goal line ten metres from where the free kick was awarded.

4. (b) If the ball touches an opponent in flight and then enters touch, a scrum shall be formed twenty metres in field from where the ball crossed the touch line with the kicker’s team having the loose head and the put-in.

No delay 5. No player shall deliberately take any action which is likely to delay the taking of a penalty kick.

Kicker’s side infringes 6. If the kick is not taken as stated or if a player of the kicker’s team infringes, a scrum shall be formed at the mark, provided it is no closer than twenty metres to the touch line.

Explain why Penalised 7. When the Referee penalises a player he should explain the nature of the offence.

Penalty for in-goal offence 8. If a penalty is awarded for an offence by the attacking team in the opponent’s in-goal area the mark shall be ten metres in the field of play opposite where the offence occurred. For an offence in-goal by the defending team which incurs a penalty the mark is in the field of play ten metres from the goal line and opposite where the offence occurred except for foul play against a try scorer (see Law 9).

Offence against Try scorer 9. If a player fouls an opponent who is touching down for a try, a penalty kick at goal shall be taken from in front of the goal posts after the attempt to convert the try. After his kick has been taken the ball shall be deemed dead and play shall be restarted from the halfway line. This law applies to the period during which the ball is touched down for a try and not to any subsequent period.

Drop Goal Foul Play on Kicker 10. (a) If a player fouls an opponent who is attempting a drop goal, a penalty kick shall be awarded in front of the goal posts.

(b) If the attempt at drop goal is successful, a kick at goal must be taken from the penalty kick and play restarted from the centre of the halfway line irrespective of the outcome of that kick.

(c) If the attempt at drop goal is unsuccessful, the penalty kick can be taken in any manner provided for in the Laws and play re-started according to the outcome of that kick.

When off side 1. A player is off side except when they are in their own in-goal if the ball touches, is touched, held or kicked, by one of their own team behind him.

Out of Play 2. An off side player shall not take any part in the game or attempt in any way to influence the course of the game. They shall not encroach within ten metres of an opponent who is waiting for the ball and shall immediately retire ten metres from any opponent who first secures possession of the ball.

Placed onside 3. An off side player is placed onside if:

(a) an opponent moves ten metres or more with the ball.

(b) an opponent touches the ball without retaining it.

(c) one of their own team in possession of the ball runs in front of them.

(d) one of their own team kicks or knocks the ball forward and takes up a position in front of them in the field of play.

(e) they retire behind the point where the ball was last touched by one of their own team.

Definition of misconduct 1. A player is guilty of misconduct if they:

(a) trips, kicks or strikes another player.

(b) when effecting or attempting to effect a tackle makes contact with the head or neck of an opponent intentionally, recklessly or carelessly.

(c) drops knees first on to an opponent who is on the ground

(d) uses any dangerous throw when effecting a tackle.

(e) deliberately and continuously breaks the Laws of the Game.

(f) uses offensive or obscene language.

(g) disputes a decision of the Referee or Touch Judge.

(h) re-enters the field of play without the permission of the Referee or a Touch Judge having previously temporarily retired from the game.

(i) behaves in any way contrary to the true spirit of the game.

(j) deliberately obstructs an opponent who is not in possession.

(k) Uses a shoulder charge on an opponent.

One Referee, Two Touch Judges 1. In all matches a Referee and two Touch Judges shall be appointed or mutually agreed upon by the contesting teams.

Enforce Laws 2. The Referees shall enforce the Laws of the Game and may impose penalties for any deliberate breach of the Laws. They shall be the sole judge on matters of fact except those relating to touch and touch in-goal (see para. 11 below).

Timekeeper 3. They shall be the sole timekeeper except where this duty has been delegated to another person. (See Section 7).

Power to stop 4. They may, at their discretion, temporarily suspend or game prematurely terminate a match because of adverse weather, undue interference by spectators, misbehaviour by players, or any other cause which, in their opinion, interferes with their control of the game.

Permission to enter playing area 5. They shall not allow anyone apart from the players onto the playing area without permission.

Power to dismiss 6. In the event of misconduct by a player, the Referee shall, at their discretion, caution, temporarily suspend for ten minutes, or dismiss the offender.

Control of players 7. The players are under the control of the Referee from the time they enter the playing area until they leave it.

When to blow whistle 8.1 The Referee must carry a whistle which they shall blow to commence and terminate each half of the game.

Except for these occasions the blowing of the whistle shall temporarily stop the play. The Referee shall blow the whistle:

(a) when a try or a goal has been scored

(b) when the ball has gone out of play

(c) when restarting play, other than at a scrum

(d) when they detect a breach of the Laws of the Game, except when to stop the play would be to the disadvantage of the non-offending team

(e) when play is irregularly affected by the ball or the player carrying the ball coming into contact with the Referee, a Touch Judge, or with any person not taking part in the match or with any object which should not normally be on the playing field

(f) when any irregularity, not provided for in these Laws, occurs and one team unjustifiably gains an advantage

(g) when a stoppage is necessary in order to enforce the Laws or for any other reason.

8.2 Where a referee has stopped play to administer a caution to a player or players they shall indicate extra time until they blow their whistle to restart play.

Changing decision 9. The Referee judges on matters of fact and shall not subsequently alter those judgments. They may cancel any decision made if prior foul play of which they had no knowledge is reported to them by a Touch Judge.

Accept Touch Judge decision 10. The Referee shall accept the decision of an official Touch Judge relating to touch and touch in-goal play and to kicks at goal.

Touch Judge 11. Each Touch Judge shall remain in touch, one on each side of, and near to, the playing field except:–

(a) when judging kicks at goal (see Section 6) and

(b) when reporting a player’s misconduct which has escaped the notice of the Referee.

Flag 12. Each Touch Judge must carry an approved flag.

Indicating Touch 13. A Touch Judge shall indicate when and where the ball goes into touch by raising his flag and standing opposite the point of entry into touch except in the case of ‘ball back’ (see Section 9 para. 4) when the Touch Judge must indicate that no ground has been gained by waving their flag above their head accentuating the movement in the direction of the kicker’s goal-line.

Indicating Touch in-Goal 14. If the ball enters touch in-goal the Touch Judge shall wave the flag across the body and below the waist. With the other hand they point to either the goal line or twenty metre line depending on where play should be restarted. Do not point to the player who made the ball dead.

Judge kicks at goal 15. Touch Judges shall assist the Referee in judging kicks at goal. (See Section 6 para.10).

Indicating 10 metres 16. When a free kick is being taken, both Touch Judges shall take up a position near the touch line ten metres beyond the mark to act as markers for the team which is required to retire.

Official Inquiry 17. In cases where circumstances in connection with the match are likely to be made the subject of official investigation, the Referee and Touch Judges shall report to the investigating authority only and shall refrain from expressing criticism or comment through other channels.

Signal nature of offence 1. When the Referee is required to give a decision they shall whenever possible indicate the nature of his decision by making the appropriate signal.

Indicate how play restarts 2. When they wish to stop the game temporarily, they shall, after blowing his whistle, indicate the nature of the decision, point to the offending player and then signal as to how the game is to be restarted.

Example For example if the scrum half puts the ball into his own side of the scrum the referee:

(1) blows their whistle and indicates the scrum half has put the ball in wrongly.

(2) points to the offending scrum half and then

(3) signals that a penalty has been given.

The Referee can, with advantage, repeat the signal indicating the nature of the offence in order to reduce the need for verbal explanations to the players. This applies particularly to scrum offences where some of the forwards may miss the first signal if they still have their heads down in the scrum.

SIGNALS FOR RESTARTING PLAY

The signals to be given by a Referee are set out below.

Scrum. With bent arms, palms of hands facing each other at shoulder level, fingers together and slightly bent, bring the tops of the fingers together with a slight downward movement and then point to the team awarded the loose head and put-in.

Penalty Kick. Face the non-offending team and extend an arm forward with the hand slightly higher than the shoulder level and the palm of the hand at right angles to the ground.

Differential Penalty. Extend the arm as for an ordinary penalty then move the arm to the upright position. Perform this action twice with the whole movement being continuous and decisive.

Drop-out. Point to the place from which the drop kick is to be taken.

SIGNALS RELATING TO SCORING

Try. Point to where try is awarded. Instruct the Touch Judge to stand on this point temporarily as a guide to the player who is to take the goal kick.

Penalty Try. Point to midway between the posts and take up position temporarily on this point as a guide to the kicker.

Eight Point Try. This term is used to indicate that a penalty kick has been awarded for foul play against a try scorer. Instruct a Touch Judge to take up position in front of the posts ten metres from the goal line before retiring behind the goal posts to judge on the conversion attempt.

Goal. Raise hand above head.

SIGNALS MADE WHEN PLAY IS NOT NECESSARILY STOPPED

Try disallowed. Wave hands, palms facing downwards across and in front of the body below the waist.

Play on. Wave the hands chest high palms facing away from the chest across and in front of the body.

Ball touched in flight. Raise one hand above the head and tap the tips of the fingers with the fingers of the other hand.

Count of Tackles is cancelled. Raise clenched fist above head and wave from side to side.

Player “held” and to play the ball. Indicate that players not concerned with the play-the-ball must retire by making a signal chest-high, similar to the breast stroke in swimming.

SIGNALS INDICTING INFRINGEMENTS

1. Knock-on. With hands in front of the body, below the waist, slightly apart, palms facing forward and fingers pointing towards the ground, make two or three forward movements of the hands.

2. Forward Pass. Make a forward movement with the straight arm indicating the line of flight of the ball.

Scrum 3. Scrum half feeds “own feet”. With hands and arms mime the action of the scrum half putting the ball into the scrum, but exaggerate the angle at which it was thrown.

4. Scrum half “dummies”. Mime the action of the scrum half but emphasise the backward motion of the hands.

5. Scrum half fails to retire. Make a movement with the hand indicating the direction the scrum half should have taken.

6. Scrum half throws the ball upwards into the scrum. Mime the action of the scrum half exaggerating the upward movement of the hands.

7. Hooker strikes prematurely. Raise a foot from the ground in front of the body with the leg straight.

8. Hooker packs with a Loose Arm. Raise one arm sideways with elbow bent so that the hand hangs downwards.

9. Prop strikes for the ball. Raise a foot from the ground by extending the leg sideways from the body.

10. Handling in the scrum. Make a backward scooping action with the hand.

11. Collapsing the scrum. Make a lifting motion with the hand.

12. More than seven backs. Point to one of the players who is detached from the scrum and who normally is in the pack and then hold up seven fingers.

13. More than six players pushing in the scrum. Point to the player who is pushing and who is not normally in the scrum and then hold up six fingers.

Play-the-ball 14. Tackled player delays regaining his feet. Flick the hand in an upward direction.

15. Tackled player ‘dummies’ when dropping the ball. Mime the action of the offending player exaggerating the upward direction.

16. Tackled player fails to drop the ball correctly. If the ball has been dropped between the legs indicate the path of the ball. If the ball has been dropped to the side, point with one hand to the side.

17. Tackled player does not lift the ball clear of ground. Make a lifting movement with the hand.

18. Tackled player does not face opponents’ in-goal. Stand at the angle offending player adopted and then turn to face the opponents’ in-goal.

19. Tackled player fails to play the ball backwards or passes when he should have played the ball. Mime the gesture of playing the ball.

20. Tackled player obstructs or butts with the head after playing the ball. Mime his action.

21. Voluntary tackle. Make a lifting movement with hand.

22. The player marking the tackled player kicks or heels the ball. Make a kicking movement with the foot.

23. Player marking retains their hold on player playing the ball. Make a decisive backward movement with one hand. This signal applies to any interference by the player marking when the ball is actually being played other than kicking prematurely or dangerously (paragraph 22 above).

24. Tackler delays releasing tackled player. Make a downward movement with the hands in front of the body below the waist.

25. Off side at play-the-ball. With a backward movement of the hand indicate that the player should be further back.

26. Stealing of the ball from the tackled player. Mime the action of snatching the ball from the opponent.

27. Dragging tackled player after tackle is effective. Mime the action of dragging.

28. Team is tackled five successive times. Raise arm vertically above head with fingers and thumb outstretched.

29. Team is tackled six successive times. Blow the whistle, raise the arm vertically above the head, then point to the side which is to gain possession and mime the gesture of playing the ball. The surrendering of the ball is referred to as the ‘handover’.

30. Count of tackle is cancelled and starts again. Wave clenched fist from side to side above head.

Drop-out or Penalty 31. Kicker fails to bring foot into contact with the ball. Tap the foot with one hand.

Other Infringements 32. Off side. Indicate player should have been further back. (See No. 25).

33. Player in possession touches official. Point to the player in possession and tap the chest with one hand.

34. Obstruction. Mime the offending player’s action.

35. Tripping. Extend one foot forward as if to trip.

36. Stiff arm tackle. Raise an arm in front of the body with fist clenched and as the arm is moved forward tap the forearm with the other hand.

37. Disputing decisions. Place one hand on the mouth.

38. Ball in Touch. Point to appropriate Touch Judge.

39. Extra time. Raise both arms vertically above head.

40. Ending Extra Time for Stoppage. Wave one arm over head.

41. Temporary Suspension of a Player. Raise both arms with fingers outstretched for ten minutes suspension.

42. Player directed to leave the field to receive attention for bleeding. Draw the hand across the chest from side to side.

Touch Judge signals 43. The Touch Judge cannot stop the play for any infringement but they may signal the nature of an infringement if the Referee is unsighted and seeks his guidance.

OTHER TOUCH JUDGE SIGNALS

Signals which may be used by a Touch Judge and which are not included in Para. 3 above are:–

Touch. Flag is raised about the head at the point of entry into touch..

Ball Back. Flag waved above head accentuating backward movement.

Touch in-Goal. Flag waved across the body, below the waist, and, with the other hand, point to either the goal line or 20 metre line depending on where play should be restarted. Do not point to the player who made the ball dead.

Successful Kick at Goal. Raise flag above head.

Unsuccessful Kick at Goal. Wave flag across and in front of the body below the waist. If the ball goes over the dead ball line, tap the ground with the end of the flag stick.

Dead Ball Line. Wave flag up and down between shoulder and knee and then point to appropriate restart position.

When formed 1. A scrum is formed to restart play whenever play is not being restarted with a kick off, a drop-out (Section 8), a penalty kick (Section 13) or a play-the-ball (Section 11).

Formation of Scrum 2. To form a scrum not more than three forwards of either team shall interlock arms and heads and create a clear tunnel at right angles to the touch line.

The forward in the centre of a front row (i.e. the hooker) shall bind with their arms over the shoulders of the two supporting forwards. Not more than two second row forwards on each team shall pack behind their respective front rows by interlocking arms and placing their heads in the two spaces between the hooker and his front row forwards. The loose forward of each team shall pack behind his second row forwards by placing their head in the space between them. All forwards must pack with their bodies and legs at right angles to the tunnel and the upper parts of their bodies horizontal. Once the ball has been put in the scrum no other player can lend his weight to it.

Scrums Both prop forwards on the side where the ball is put into the scrum, MUST have their outside feet forward and the halfback must feed the ball into the scrum using the space between their feet. All players must remain in the scrum until the ball is out of the scrum.

Number of backs and players in scrum 3. No more than six players on each team shall assist in the formation of a scrum and when the ball is in the scrum no more than seven players of each team shall act as backs.

Pushing 4. It is permissible for forwards to push once the scrum has been correctly formed but if it moves an appreciable distance to the disadvantage of any one team before the ball is put in then the Referee shall order the scrum to reform in its original position.

Loose Head and Put-in 5. (a) At the scrum, the non-offending team shall have the loose head and put-in.

(b) In the case of a mutual infringement, the attacking team shall have the loose head and the put-in.

(c) Where the ball is kicked from the start or a restart of play and finds touch other than on the full after travelling the prescribed distance the kicking team shall be deemed to be the non-offending team.

(d) Where a player kicks the ball in general play from any point in the area bounded by their own dead ball line, 40 metre line and the touch lines and the ball finds touch, otherwise than on the full, at a point on the touchline between the opponents’ 20 metre line and goal line the kicker’s team shall be deemed to be the non-offending team.

(e) Where a player kicks or passes the ball in general play and the ball enters touch after accidentally striking an opponent the team of the player who passed or kicked the ball shall be deemed to be the offending team.

Put-in or Feeding the Scrum 6. (a) The ball shall be put into the scrum from the Referee’s side by holding it in a horizontal position with a point in each hand and rolling it along the ground into the tunnel formed by the opposing front row forwards.

(b) The ball shall not be put in before the scrum has been correctly formed.

(c) There shall be no undue delay in putting the ball into the scrum.

(d) The player putting the ball in shall not hesitate or dummy and after putting it in they shall immediately retire behind their own pack of forwards.

Other players 7. The scrum half of the team not having the put-in shall retire immediately behind his last row of forwards. All other players outside the scrum, other than the scrum half putting the ball in, shall retire five metres or more behind the last row of forwards of their respective teams in the scrum and shall remain so until the ball has emerged correctly from the scrum.

Forwards in 8. When the ball is in the scrum it can only be played Scrum with the foot. The front row forwards shall not advance their feet into the tunnel or have one foot raised before the ball is put in or strike for the ball before the hookers.

A hooker may strike for the ball with either foot once it has contacted the ground in the tunnel.

After the hookers have struck for the ball the other forwards in the scrum may kick or heel the ball.

No player shall wilfully collapse a scrum or wilfully have any part of him other than his feet in contact with the ground.

A player shall not wilfully delay the correct formation of a scrum.

Ball in Play 9. To be in play, the ball must emerge from the scrum after first emerging from between and behind the inner feet of the second row forwards.

If the ball does not emerge correctly and the fault cannot be attributed to any one team then it should be put into the scrum once again.

Where formed 10. If a scrum is ordered it shall normally be formed where the breach of Laws occurs. If such breach is within twenty metres of a touch line or ten metres of a goal line the scrum shall be brought in twenty metres from the touch line and ten metres from the goal line.

Scrum wanders 11. If a penalty kick is awarded relating to a scrum offence and the scrum has wandered from its original position, the mark is where the scrum was first formed.

Scrum wheels 12. If the ball emerges correctly from the scrum it is in play even though the scrum has wheeled. Any forward can detach himself from the scrum to gather or kick the ball. Any back can similarly play it provided he remained behind the scrum until the ball emerged.