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Dimensions for Rugby Union

In rugby union football, the objective is to run an oval ball into the opposing team’s goal area or to kick the ball through the uprights of the opposing team’s goal. In a rugby match, play rarely stops completely, and players may only advance the ball by running or kicking. They are not permitted to make forward passes. Rugby union is played by teams with 15 players, although there is also rugby sevens, a quicker game with seven players a side.

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The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

Seniors

Playing area

The playing surface is usually grass but may also be played on sand, clay, snow or artificial grass. The field of play is 100m long and 70m wide. Each in-goal area is 22m long and 70m wide. The distance from the goal line to the dead ball line is a minimum of 10m.

Goals

The distance between the two goal posts is 5.6m. The minimum height of the goal posts is 3.4m.

Flag posts

There are 14 flag posts with flags with a minimum height of 1.2m. They are positioned at the intersection of the touch in-goal lines, dead ball lines, 22m lines, halfway line, 2m outside the touch lines and within the playing enclosure.

Line markings

The following are marked with solid lines:

  • dead ball and touch-in-goal lines, both are outside the in-goal areas
  • goal lines that are within the in-goal areas but outside the field of play
  • 22m lines which are parallel to the goal lines
  • halfway line which is parallel to the goal lines
  • touch lines which are outside the field of play

The following are marked with broken lines:

  • 10m lines which run from one touch line to the other, are 10m from and parallel to each side of the halfway line
  • 5m lines which run from one 5m dash line to the other and are 5m from and parallel to the touch lines
  • 15m lines, which link the 5m dash lines, are 15m from and parallel to the touch lines

The following are marked with dash lines:

  • six dash lines (1m long), 5m from and parallel to each goal line positioned 5m and 15m from each touchline and in front of each goal post
  • two dash lines (5m long), 15m from each touchline, which start at the goal line and end at the 5m dash line
  • one dash line (0.5m long) intersects the centre of the halfway line

 Rugby union seniors ground

Lighting

The major influences of the game affecting lighting are the fast pace, heavy body contact, low trajectory passes and kicks ranging from along the ground to high trajectory parallel to the playing pitch. The dimensions of the playing area together with typical orientation of high-trajectory kicks, make side lighting systems convenient and appropriate.

Following are the minimum Australian Standards for lighting of all football codes: 

  Ball, physical training Club competition, match practice Competition
Amateur and semi-professional 50 lux 100 lux 200 lux
Professional 100 lux 200 lux 500 lux

Juniors 

Walla rugby (7 to 8 years) is played on a modified field to cater for the young age group, ensuring that each player will experience maximum involvement. It is a simple, non-tackling introduction to the game. The maximum playing area is 50m x 25m. The in-goal area is 5m and the field of play is 40m x 25m. All goal posts within the playing enclosure must be fitted with goal post pads.

Walla field setup on standard rugby ground

Walla rugby ground

Mini Rugby (9 to 10 years) introduces the young player to the contact elements of the game. The maximum playing area is 70m x 35m. The in-goal area is 5m and the field of play is 60m x 35m. All goal posts within the playing enclosure must be fitted with goal post pads.

Mini field setup on standard rugby ground

 Rugby union mini rugby ground

Midi rugby (11 to 12 years) is the stepping-stone of the seniors game. It is played between 12−15 players on a standard size field. It is the final modified game before players reach Under 19 laws at 13 years of age. The standard playing area is 120m x 60m and the field of play is 100m x 60m. All goal posts within the playing enclosure must be fitted with goal pads.

Midi field set-up on standard rugby ground

Midi rugby ground

 
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