Game On Information
No one likes training during the week only to have the match defaulted on Friday night or Saturday Morning. If you're a rugby coach you might spend all week looking for front rowers. That's all about to change with Game On and it's designed to make sure that rugby still kicks off.
Game On is a flexible game format designed to enable games to proceed with meaningful outcomes despite teams being unable to meet normal team number and/or front row considerations. It applies to all Senior Club grades and Secondary School rugby competitions that are not Designated Premier Grade Competitions.
Game On is only to be used when a team has less than 15 players and/or insufficient players trained to play in front row positions to commence the match. Game On must be decided before the match commences eg. if a team is carrying 15 players & at least three trained front rowers, the match will commence under normal rugby laws. If one of their players becomes injured and has to leave the field during the game, the opposing team does not need to match numbers and can continue playing with 15 players.
Game On Provisions:
Team Size
When one or both teams has less than 15 players, playing numbers (from 10 to 15 a-side) are determined by agreement between the teams. In the event of no agreement the playing numbers will match the players of the team with the fewest players.
Match Length
To be agreed between the teams with 40 minutes being the minimum and 70 minutes being the maximum for Teenage Rugby, and 80 minutes being the maximum for grades above Teenage Rugby. If no agreement is reached, the match duration will be based on the team size as per below.
10 a-side: 2 x 20 minute halves (max. 40mins)
11 a-side: 2 x 25 minute halves (max. 50mins)
12 a-side: 2 x 30 minute halves (max. 60mins)
13/14 a-side: 2 x 35 minute halves (max. 70mins)
15 a-side: 2 x 40 minute halves (max. 80mins)
Scrums
Subject to availability of a minimum of three players trained to play in the front row positions to start in each team, the match will commence with contested scrums. But, for the avoidance of doubt, revert to uncontested scrums if any of those trained players leave the field.
Replacements
For grades above Teenage Rugby, rolling replacements will be permitted in all games played when using Game On provisions unless teams agree that rolling replacements will not be used. The referee must be notified prior to kick-off. The half game rule applies to Secondary School Rugby below 1st XV grades.
What grades can use Game On in Canterbury?
Communication is key when it comes to Game On. All matches that are to be played under Game On will require the referee and team representatives to meet before kick off to confirm the Game On process. Team representatives are encouraged to communicate as early as possible in the lead up to the match if either team thinks they may need to use Game On.
North Canterbury
All grades from Year 9 and above, except Division 1.
Metro
All Grades from Year 9 and above, except Canstaff Premier (Men) and Miles Toyota Championship.
In Metro Adult Grades that allow Game On the following applies:
GAME ON – LOCAL VARIATION for all Game On grades in Senior Rugby
If a team initiates Game On due to lack of front row players, rolling substitutions are not invoked.
The only time that rolling substitutions occur is when a team has less than 15 players.
The team who initiates Game On, cannot earn a bonus point should they win the match.
Ellesmere
All grades from Year 9 and above, except Division 1.
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