NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association Handbook
Amended 2020
4.17 Rugby Union
4.17.1 Rugby Union state-wide competition- boys (Arthur Buchan Shield)
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "state-wide competition" –
(a) Games for each round must be completed by the date stipulated.
(b) The first mentioned school on the draw is the home school in round 1. The home school in other rounds shall be the school which has the least number of home games. Where the number of home and away games are equal:
(i) The first mentioned school in the draw shall become the home school in odd numbered rounds,
(ii) The second mentioned school in the draw shall become the home school in even numbered rounds.
(c) The home team is responsible for appointing a qualified referee.
(d) The home team will nominate an enclosed ground for the match, see that the ground is correctly marked and flagged and supply three footballs.
(e) The home team must supply three dates to their opponents. On failure to reach a mutual agreement of dates and venue by both teams, the state convener is to be notified and will make the decision regarding the date and venue for the match. If a school(s) does not agree with the decision, the school(s) should contact the NSWCHSSA Disputes Committee, who will make a final determination regarding the date and venue for the match.
(f) It is the responsibility of the winning team to notify the state convener/ competition manager no later than the first working day after the match.
(g) Matches
(i) Matches will be played over two thirty minute halves with time off for injury in both halves.
(ii) Extra five minutes each way if teams are level at full time.
(iii) In the event of teams being equal at the end of extra time, the team scoring the greater number of tries will be declared the winner.
(iv) If tries scored are equal, the team scoring the first try will be declared the winner.
(v) In the event of the full time and extra time being nil all, the toss of a coin shall determine the winner, except in the final where the teams will be declared joint holders of the shield.
(vi) Appeals and disputes should be forwarded in writing to the state convener, no later than two days after the match has been played.
(g) Teams may make unlimited replacements provided the player being replaced is injured.
(h) The matches shall be conducted under the Laws of the Game as set forth by the Australian Rugby Football Union.
(i) Each team is responsible for supplying a correctly attired touch judge and two ball boys.
(j) The draw will be made on a straight knockout basis. There will be no redraw after each round.
(k) Players must turn 15 years of age or under in the year of competition. Players who attain the age of sixteen years or over during the year of competition are not eligible to compete.
(l) If at the commencement of a match or during the course of a match a team is unable to field a suitably trained front row then should this team commit an error which results in a scrum, the opposing team will have the choice of either a free kick, or an uncontested scrum. Uncontested scrums will be played when the team unable to field a suitably trained front row is awarded a scrum a per the laws of the game. If both teams do not have suitably trained front row players to start the match, the match will still be played, and uncontested scrums will be played for both teams.
4.17.2 Rugby Union state-wide competition - girls-open age (Richard Shaw) Shield and 15 years (Glenn Clayton Shield)
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "state-wide competitions" –
(a) Girls Rugby Union state-wide competition - open age level.
(i) The home team will supply three (3) alternative playing dates to their opponents, who must accept one of these dates.
(ii) The home team must arrange with the Rugby Union referees' delegate for their association to appoint a qualified referee. One week's notice must be given to the delegate to arrange this appointment. If the delegate is unable to make an appointment, any privately made appointment must be confirmed by the referee's delegate.
(iii) Home teams are to supply three (3) match footballs and ensure that all grounds are properly marked and posted (corner posts, 22 metre and half-way flags, etc.).
(iv) Each team is responsible for supplying a correctly attired touch judge.
(v) The matches shall be conducted under the Laws of the Game as set forth by the Australian Rugby Football Union with the variations for Under 19 years Rugby. The replacement of injured players is permitted throughout the game, provided that once an injured player has been replaced, she may not subsequently return to that game.
(vi) Matches
The matches are to be played over two halves of 30 minutes each with time off for injury in both halves.
In all matches other than the final, if the scores are equal after two halves, an extra 5 minutes each way will be played with time off for injury in both halves.
In the event of teams being equal at the end of extra time, the team scoring the greater number of tries will be declared the winner.
If tries scored are equal, the team scoring the first try will be declared the winner.
If no tries are scored, the team scoring first points will be declared the winner.
In the event of the full time score and extra time score being nil, the toss of a coin will determine the winner.
In the final, if scores are equal at full time, 10 minutes extra time each way will be played, if the scores are still equal the teams will be declared joint winners.
(vii) In all games other than semi-finals and the final, the winning team must phone their results to AAP (02) 9322 8000.
(viii) If at the commencement of a match or during the course of a match a team is unable to field a suitably trained front row then should this team commit an error which results in a scrum, the opposing team will have the choice of either a free kick, or an uncontested scrum. Uncontested scrums will be played when the team unable to field a suitably trained front row is awarded a scrum a per the laws of the game. If both teams do not have suitably trained front row players to start the match, the match will still be played, and uncontested scrums will be played for both teams.
(b) Girls Rugby Union state-wide competition - 15 years
(i) The girls 15 years Rugby Union state-wide competition will be conducted at the 15 years and under-age level. (Students who turn 16 years of age are not eligible)
(ii) The home team will supply three (3) alternative playing dates to their opponents, who must accept one of these dates.
(iii) The home team must arrange with the Rugby Union referees' delegate for their area to appoint a qualified referee. One week's notice must be given to the delegate to arrange this appointment. If the delegate is unable to make an appointment, any privately made appointment must be confirmed by the Referee's delegate.
(iv) Home teams are to supply three (3) match footballs and ensure that all grounds are properly marked and posted (corner posts, 22 metre and half-way flags, etc.).
(v) Each team is responsible for supplying a correctly attired touch judge.
(vi) The matches shall be conducted under the Laws of the Game as set forth by the Australian Rugby Football Union with the variations for Under 19 years Rugby. The replacement of injured players is permitted throughout the game, provided that once an injured player has been replaced, she may not subsequently return to that game.
(vii) Matches
The matches are to be played over two halves of 25 minutes each with time off for injury in both halves.
In all matches other than the final, if the scores are equal after two halves, an extra 10 minutes each way will be played with time off for injury in both halves.
In the event of teams being equal at the end of extra time, the team scoring the greater number of tries will be declared the winner.
If tries scored are equal, the team scoring the first try will be declared the winner.
If no tries are scored, the team scoring first points will be declared the winner.
In the event of the full time score and extra time score being nil, the toss of a coin will determine the winner.
(viii) In the final, if scores are equal at full time, 10 minutes extra time each way will be played, if the scores are still equal the teams will be declared joint winners.
(viii) In all games other than semi-finals and the final, the winning team must phone their results to AAP (02) 9322 8000.
(ix) If at the commencement of a match or during the course of a match a team is unable to field a suitably trained front row then should this team commit an error which results in a scrum, the opposing team will have the choice of either a free kick, or an uncontested scrum. Uncontested scrums will be played when the team unable to field a suitably trained front row is awarded a scrum as per the laws of the game. If both teams do not have suitably trained front row players to start the match, the match will still be played and uncontested scrums will be played for both teams.
4.17.3 Rugby Union State Championships
Refer NSWCHSSA Handbook "State Championships" –
Matches in the NSWCHSSA Rugby union State Championship shall be played in accordance with the IRB Laws of the game, IRB U19 variations and Australian U19 variations and NSWCHSSA Rugby Union Competition Rules. Plus any rules contained in this document. Should there be any conflict between these sets of laws or Rules, the rules of the NSWCHSSA shall prevail.
Draw
The Draw will be constructed during the March/April NSWCHSSA Rugby Union Sub-committee meeting and will be circulated to all association/zone conveners as part of the minutes of this meeting as well as all documentation pertaining to the preparation for the championship.
(a) Each team is to consist of twenty players.
(b) Matches are to consist of two halves.
Day 1 – 17 minute halves, 3 minute half time.
Day 2 – 30 minute halves, 5 minute half time.
Day 3 – 30 minute halves, 5 minute half time.
(c) All teams are to be ready to play fifteen minutes before the starting time to ensure that matches start promptly on time. If a team is not on the field for the games starting time they will be penalised.
(d) Replacement/Substitutions
(i) A maximum of twelve (12) substitutions per team per match will be allowed for all teams. Substitutions shall include any time one player substitutes another player, including for injury. Within the allowed 12 players substitutions there is no restriction on the number of times an individual player can be substituted or return to the field.
(ii) A replacement/substitute player must first report to the Assistant referee. Replacements can only be made during a stop in play.
(iii) A player receiving a temporary suspension (yellow card) will be for a period of 5 minutes on the 1st day, and cannot be replaced. On the 2nd and 3rd day the yellow card sanction will be for a period of 10 minutes, and cannot be replaced. The player is to remain seated at the area provided near the official table.
(iv) A player that has been ordered off the field (red card) must remain seated at the area provided near the official table and shall not be replaced. The suspended player is not permitted to take any further part in the game until heard by the judiciary.
(v) Conversion kicks must be taken by a player who is participating in the match when the try was scored
(e) Managers must give their score to the point score secretary immediately the match concludes.
(f) The playing enclosure is the playing area and a space around it bordered by the fence or the rope barrier. It includes the space behind the in-goal area.
(g) During matches a maximum of two water runners and a first aid attendant per team shall be permitted within the playing enclosure, only in a break in play to administer water and see to an injury, etc. When not performing this function, runners must remain off the field and retire to the reserves benches and be seated. Runners are not permitted to walk the sidelines and are to wear the supplied coloured vest.
(h) Player Identification
(i) Players must play in the same numbered jersey as nominated in the championship program, or as amended at the Managers meeting preceding the championship, for each match.
(ii) In the case of a jersey clash the convener will supply an alternate set of Jerseys. A coin toss will determine the team to wear the alternate Jerseys supplied.
(i). Player Qualification
(i) The age group shall be turning 18 years or under in the calendar year of the competition
(ii) Players must be within the ARU 2 year window policy. “A player shall not participate in an age grade competition more than two years above his or her age on the 1st of January in the year which the competition is run. This two year period is known as the two year window”. This means that in an under 18 competition, participants must be turning either 17 or 18 years of age during the year in which the competition runs.
(iii) Players outside of the 2 year window are permitted to participate under the following circumstances:
- Where the player will not play in the front row (Prop/Hooker) – he must comply with the procedures described in schedule A – Exception to the Two Year Window Policy, including completion of the consent form; or
- Where the player will play in the front row (Prop/Hooker) – he must comply with the procedure described in Schedule A – Exception to the Two year Window Policy, including completion of the Consent Form; and
- He must also apply to the ARU for approval to play in the front row (Prop/Hooker), as outlined in Schedule B – Exception for Front Row, including completion of the submission form. Such consent will be given on a case by case basis.
NB Documentation for Two Year Window approval can be found at http://www.rugby.com.au/tryrugby/Administration/TwoYearWindowPolicy.aspx
(j) There will be no extra time in case of a drawn final.
(k) Point Score System
The Following point score system shall apply for each match;
Win: 4 points
Draw: 2 points
Loss: 0 points
Day 1 - 3 tries or more and Day 2 4 tries or more: 1 bonus point
Team loses by 7 or less points in a match: 1 bonus point
(i) If teams are on the same points following the pool games on the first day their positions in the pool will be decided by
- On points for and against using the difference method
- If still equal, it will be determined by the team scoring the most tries,
- If still equal it will be based on the pool game result between the two teams.
(ii) In the event of a draw in the ensuing Plate, Cup and Shield games on day 2, the winning team will be decided by;
- The team who scored the most tries
- If still even the team who scored the first try
- If no tries, then the team who scored first
- If there is no score then the team with the least yellow or red card sanctions will be declared the higher placed team.
- If there is still no result, the placing’s will be decided with the toss of a coin
(iii) There will be no extra time in case of a drawn final. Teams will become joint winners.
(iv) In the event that games on the final day cannot be played (eg weather causes the field to be unplayable) then the following will determine team standings at the completion of the championship.
- Teams playing off for 1st and 2nd (Shield final) will be declared joints winners and will be ranked equal 1st. All other rankings from 3rd down to11th will be ranked according to the position they would be playing for ie 3rd, 5th, 7th etc.
(l) Judiciary Committee
(i)In the event that a player is sent from the field then the judiciary Committee shall be comprised of the state convener, an appointed member of the NSWCHSSA Rugby Union Sub-committee and the Association or Zone convener or their appointed representative (must be a DEC teacher).
(ii)The judiciary hearing will happen on the day of the issue. All relevant parties will be notified of the judiciary hearing time by the state convener. The player will be ineligible to play until the matter is heard.
(m) Code of Conduct
The NSWCHSSA Rugby Union State Championship is run in accordance with NSWDoE, NSWCHSSA and ARU Code of Conduct and expectations of behaviour. A copy of the code of conduct and expectations of behaviour is available from the state convener and will be circulated prior to and as part of the championship program.