Key Info
Game laws
“Only two things in life are certain - the referee and death!” ~ Old Rugby saying
Even the most seasoned of rugby players get to a point in their playing careers where nature calls for a time-out on full-on hard play!
However, there’s absolutely no reason why anyone who enjoys a solid game should wander off aimlessly into rugby retirement on account of their age, never to play again. The passion, desire and determination to play can and does continue successfully through Veterans Rugby, which is a modified version of the game that offers the ultimate excuse for a beer or two with the boys after a ‘good’ run-around.
Useful Documents
Useful links
Basic rules and variations
- Correct attire required at all times, including low profile studs or grass sport shoes
- Games should be 15-a-side, but hell we’ll have a crack with less than that if we have to!
- Games of three 20-minute periods (or thereabouts. Some of our referees have trouble telling the time!)
- Rolling substitutions
- Uncontested scrums
- Observe the 5-metre rule at scrums and 10 metres at lineouts
- Restrictions on tackling older players or players who chose to play with long term injuries, like dodgy knees (identified by coloured shorts)
- Aggressive or unsportsmanlike behaviour play is not tolerated!
- Captains are responsible for the behaviour of their players
- If you want to play hard full-on rugby go back to grade football and get belted around by the young fellas! Most of us have lives to get on with so we do not want to be injured.
- It’s all about fair play and no one takes themselves too seriously!
The overriding main rule is that veterans’ games are played by those who are older than 35 years of age. Players in the Golden Oldies division are typically 50 years or over.
Played as per normal, with 15-a-side, a few simple variations are put into play to ensure that the game is suitable for all those taking part, regardless of age, and minimising the chances of injury.
Rolling substitutions – where players are permitted to leave the field and return at a later stage – shorter playing times, plus calling time on any form of vigorous play, more or less guarantee that the emphasis remains exclusively on fun, friendship and fraternity at all times.
The short of it
All players must strictly observe the restrictions on the tackling of players wearing coloured shorts.
The wearing of coloured shorts does not give a player the right to tackle other players wearing shorts of the same colour.
If a player wears red shorts, it means they don’t want to be tackled to the ground or pushed off their feet. Any player in red shorts may be held but NOT tackled.
Club Shorts: The normal “take to ground” tackle law applies.
- 35 to 59 years Club Shorts or Red Shorts
- 60-64 years – red shorts = Can be claimed and held. Must not be taken to the ground in a tackle.
- 65-69 years – gold shorts = Not to be tackled or touched. May run with the ball for up to 15 metres in total before passing to a team mate wearing club shorts or red shorts.
- 70-79 years – purple shorts = Not to be tackled or touched. May run with the ball for up to 15 metres in total before passing to a team mate wearing club shorts or red shorts.
- 80+ years – special shorts = Not to be tackled or touched. May run with the ball for up to 15 metres in total before passing to a team mate wearing club shorts or red shorts.
Check out the Veterans Rugby Queensland website to find out more about the game.