Rugby Union

Dates & Times
Thursday 12 November: 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Friday 13 November: 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday 14 November: 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Venue
Surfers Paradise Rugby Union Club
Age Requirements
  • Age is determined as of Sunday 1st November 2026 by the youngest player in the team
  • Minimum age for competition is 25 Years for Women and 30 Years for Men
Age Divisions
  • Women’s Sevens: 25+
  • Men’s Competitive: 30+, 40+
  • Men’s Social: 40+
  • Note: Men over 40’s teams are allowed 2 players to be turning 40 in the next twelve months
Event Divisions
  • Men’s Social
  • Men’s Competitive
  • Women’s Sevens
Sport Fees
  • $95 per player, per team
Games Fees
  • $140 Early Bird (3 March – 31 May 2026)
  • $155 Saver (1 June – 31 August 2026)
  • $170 Standard (from 1 September 2026)
Entries Close
  • Individual Entries Close: Sunday 1st November 2026 (11:59PM AEST)
  • Team Entries Close: Thursday 1st October 2026 (11:59PM AEST)

Competition Information

Ladies Sevens
• Rules to be IRB Sevens
• Key Rule Variations
– Kick-offs: The team that scores a try restarts the game with a kick-off from the halfway line.
– Scrums: Scrums involve three players from each team.
– Discipline: A yellow card results in a two-minute suspension, while a red card means the player is out of the Tournament.
– Advantage: Referees make quick advantage decisions, typically ending with the play finishing sooner than in 15s rugby.
– Lineouts: When the ball goes out of play, a quick throw-in is usually awarded.
– Unlimited interchanges
• Scoring
– Try: Grounding the ball in the opponent’s try zone scores 5 points.
– Conversion: After a try, the scoring team gets a chance to kick the ball through the posts for 2 points. This must be a drop-kick (ball hits the ground before being kicked).
– Drop Goal: A drop kick from open play that goes through the posts scores 3 points.
– Penalty Goal: A successful drop kick awarded after a penalty also scores 3 points.

Mens Over 30’s
• Rules to be played to IRB under 19 rules
• Key Rule Variations
• Scrums:
– An eight-person scrum must have a 3-4-1 formation, with the number 8 pushing on the two locks.
– The locks must pack with their heads on either side of the hooker.
– If a team cannot field eight suitably trained players, uncontested scrums are played.
– Teams must always have at least five players in a scrum.
• Scoring:
– Drop goals are not permitted.
– Penalty goals are not permitted.
• Tackling and foul play:
– Slinging tackles, fending to the head, and squeeze balls are illegal.
– A yellow card results in a 5-minute temporary suspension.
– A player who receives a yellow or red card can be replaced.
• Lineouts:
– Quick throw-ins are not allowed.
– Variations in the number of players in a lineout are not allowed.
– A lineout receiver must be present.

Mens Over 40’s Competitive
• Rules to be played to Veterans Rugby law Book 2017.
• Link to rules https://qldgoldiesrugby.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170907_Veterans-Rugby-Law-Book-over-45s.pdf

Mens Over 40’s Social
• Rules to be played to Golden Oldies laws
• Key Law Variations
• Player age: Must be 35 years or older, with specific age groups sometimes correlating to colored shorts.
– Colored shorts are a core part of the game and signal different levels of contact.
– Club or white shorts – Standard contact rules apply, with fewer restrictions on tackling.
– Red shorts – Players cannot be tackled but can be “claimed and held” or “hugged” to prevent forward movement, but not taken to the ground.
– Gold shorts – Players cannot be tackled or held; they can only be stopped by another player standing in front and yelling “tackle,” at which point they must pass the ball.
– Purple shorts – Players over 70+ can be considered gold short wearers and are not to be tackled, hugged, or stopped in any way.
• Scrums: Always uncontested, meaning teams do not compete for possession and cannot push.
• Kicking: Only permitted within your own 22-meter area.
• Lineouts: No quick lineouts, and for some variations, lifts are not allowed.
• Substitutions: Rolling substitutions are permitted, and players can return to the game at any time.
• Start and restart: A coin toss determines the start of the game. Kick-offs must be drop kicks and travel at least 10 meters.

Join the Games

Feel the Action in Rugby Union and dive into fast, hard-hitting play where skill, strategy, and teamwork come together. Every pass, tackle, and try keeps players on their toes, making Rugby Union an exciting and memorable event at the Pan Pacific Masters Games.

Looking for a team or needing players?

Take a look at our sports bulletin page which allows teams to connect with people wanting to compete or vice versa.

Locations

Venues

Contact Information

Rugby Union Enquiries
Wyatt Williams
Surfers Paradise Rugby Union Club
Phone: 04057108925
Email: rugbyunion@mastersgames.com.au
Website: www.surfersparadiserugby.com
Facebook: Dolphins Rugby

Event Enquiries
Pan Pacific Masters Games
Email: info@mastersgames.com.au
Phone: +61 7 5668 9888

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