1. Role & Responsibilities
Reserve Official:
Role & Responsibilities
2013

2. Main Duties Oversee interchange process
Record number of interchanges used – suggest you note numbers on/off
Record score – why not use a template score sheet?
Record disciplinary incidents – on report, sin bin, dismissal – player’s number, time of incident, offence, score
Monitor non-playing personnel entering the field of play
Monitor the benches
Run water on for referee/TJs at tries
Assist the on-field officials before the game with peripheral tasks

3. Non-Playing Personnel
HEAD
TRAINER
When?
1. When a try has been scored
2. While awaiting a Video Referee decision in relation to a try
3. Time out for an injury
4. To inform a player he is being interchanged

4. Non-Playing Personnel
HEAD TRAINER...
Regulations:
Allowed to assist Physio with an injured player, carry water or deliver individual messages in the above situations.
Must leave the field immediately their task is complete & return to dug-out area.
Must enter & leave the field as quickly as possible (i.e. running).
Must not enter the field carrying any electronic device switched & must not interfere with play.
Must not speak to the match officials.
May enter the field to inform a player that he is being interchanged.
Only entitled to communicate with other players whilst performing the interchange function.
May remain on the pitch for a maximum of 3 tackles whilst carrying out the interchange.
The new player cannot enter the field until the “interchanged player” reaches the touch line.
The Reserve Official must report any trainer who breaches this rule to the referee immediately.

5. Non-Playing Personnel
PHYSIO
When?
Unlimited access to the field to assist injured players.
Regulations:
Go directly to the player concerned & in instances of severe injury may indicate to the referee that the game should be stopped.
Not allowed to pass on messages.
Must enter & leave the field as quickly as possible (i.e. running).
Can only be involved in the interchange process when they go on to treat a player they can bring that player off i.e. escort him to the touch line – they cannot have any further involvement.

6. Non-Playing Personnel
WATER
CARRIER
How many?
Two water carriers
When?
1. After a try has been scored
2. After the referee has stopped play for an injury
3. While awaiting a video referee decision in relation to a try
Regulations:
They must carry an approved water carrying device or unit & must leave the field before play has recommenced.
They must enter & leave the field as quickly as possible (i.e. running).
WATER
CARRIER

7. Non-Playing Personnel
DOCTOR
When?
Can enter the field of play when he/she is medically required to do so

8. Non-Playing Personnel
General Points:
Non-playing personnel must be over 18 years of age & must not be players under suspension.
All non-playing personnel must enter the field from the designated dug out area and return to that area after coming from the field. They are not permitted to station themselves around the field and are subject at all times to the control of the match referee and his officials.
In hot conditions water may be stationed safely around the field perimeter.
In any match a player may come to the touchline to receive water.
It is permissible to have a further person over and above those listed to take onto the field a kicking tee for penalty kicks at goal, conversions and halfway restarts. This person must wear a blue top.
Clubs must instruct their non-playing personnel to refrain from involving themselves in any conflict between players. Match Officials are to deal with any problems. This includes making comments to opposition players.

9. Interchange Process
Interchanges may take place during general play, after any scoring has been
completed or when play has been temporarily suspended by the referee.
Interchanges can never be made after the referee has ordered a scrum until after the scrum has been completed.
It is each team’s responsibility to have an empty folder and a set of interchange cards numbered 1 – 10 available for the interchange official at kick off.
A player who is to be interchanged should report to the interchange official with the appropriate interchange card. The player should only hand the card to the interchange official and enter the field of play once the player leaving the field has crossed the touchline.
The interchange official shall hold the interchange card up once the interchange has been completed so that the spectators can note the number of the interchange.
A team may wish to not proceed with an interchange however this is only permissible if the player has not already entered the field of play.

10. Interchange Rules
Each team is allowed 10 interchanges (plus an extra 3 in golden point)
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the clubs to ensure the interchange process is carried out properly.
If a team decides to interchange a player due to a blood injury this will count towards their 10 interchanges unless to point below applies.
If a player is fouled by an opponent and that opponent is dismissed, sin binned or placed on report and the fouled player is injured as a result of the incident and leaves the field immediately, then this interchange will not be included in the 10 allowed. If the fouled player returns to the field later in the match, that interchange will be included within the 10 interchanges allowable for that team.
Any breach of the interchange rules should be reported to the nearest TJ and MC. The reserve official should submit a report to the Match Officials Dept by 9am on the first working day following the match.

11. Blood Bin Procedure
The referee will call ‘time-off’ as soon as blood is noticed on a player or any playing equipment.
If the physio decides the player can be treated quickly, he shall drop behind play to receive treatment.
If the player needs more substantial treatment, the player must leave the field of play. He can either be interchanged or the team can play on with 12 players.
If the referee stops the game twice for bleeding from the same wound, the player must leave the field of play. Again, he can be interchanged or the team can play on with 12 players.
A player who has left the field of play due to bleeding and has not been interchanged, he may re-enter the field of play at any time as long as he does so from an onside position.