Half Game Rule

The Half Game Rule was introduced in 2014 after research suggested teenagers were leaving the game because they weren’t getting enough game time and were sick of sitting on the bench.

The Half Game Rule was viewed as an easy and fair way to improve player involvement and retention. NZ Rugby wanted to ensure all players at every level of the game below First XV would at least get half a game on the field.

It was a bold step, but one they could honestly say was the right thing to do in terms of looking after our players.

Now, with the Half Game Rule, rugby is the only team sport in New Zealand in which every player under First XV level is guaranteed at least half a game every week.

It is a solution that puts players first. It is also seen to be an incentive for players to maintain their fitness throughout the season, an opportunity for coaches to develop their selection skills and for players’ families and supporters to see them play instead of watching them sit on the bench.

The rule saw the end of rolling substitutions - which often did not give players enough game time and took up time during the match.

There was certainly a backlash from the rugby community and the phones were running hot with people expressing their reservations - particularly from coaches and managers questioning whether the rule applies to representative teams (it does).

Other coaches felt the Half Game Rule shouldn’t apply to players who don’t show up for training during the week of the game, because missing out on game time is seen as a suitable sanction for breaking team rules.

But if a player isn’t turning up to training, coaches should be asking why. The answer may not be due to lack of commitment but factors beyond their control such as transportation, family issues, problems with teammates, or dissatisfaction with coaching. Our research has indicated when teenagers don’t show up to training, it’s most likely not a commitment or motivation issue.

Alternative solutions could include apologising to the team, extra training (if fitness is an issue) or extra team duties, such as packing up after next practice.

While many provincial unions opposed the Half Game Rule from the outset, it was clear they agreed with the principles behind it, resulting in the changes being extended to the 2015 season - but with an improved communications plan, particularly around the minimum playing time issue.

We realise the Half Game Rule will take some time to be fully accepted and understand not all teams are adhering to it yet. As the organisation responsible for growing and nurturing the game, NZ Rugby will at times make some unpopular decisions when it is the right thing to do for the players, and the game.

In time we hope improved player retention, player performance and team morale will show the Half Game Rule has had a positive impact on the game.