Rippa Rugby, Tackle Rugby & Rip Rugby - What is the difference?


At TRFC our Junior Rugby players play three different types of Rugby – Rippa Rugby, Tackle Rugby & Rip Rugby.  Each of these types of Rugby are very different.



Rippa Rugby (TRFC Team - J7 & J8)


Rippa Rugby is a game for young rugby players, usually from the ages of 5 to 7. It is a very safe, non-contact, easy-to-play game for both boys and girls alike. Best of all it’s fun and exciting for all involved. While the rules are simple and the game easy to learn, Rippa Rugby will promote excellent ball-handling and running skills, and give all kids a chance to participate in our national game. The New Zealand Rugby Union is proud to recommend Rippa Rugby and we are sure it will give the kids in your team a fun, safe and enjoyable sporting experience.


The object of the game is to score a try by grounding the ball behind or on the opponents’ try line. A try is worth five points. To prevent a try being scored the defenders must rip the flag from the belt of the ball carrier. This forces the ball carrier to pass the ball. Six rips against the attacking team in one set of possession results in the ball being turned over to the defending team.


If younger children are interested in playing rugby please check out our friends at Rugby Tots (www.rugbytots.co.nz).


  • What teams do we play? In the 2021 season, the TRFC Rippa Rugby J7 & J8 teams were in competitions with: Northcote, Marist & Glenfield Junior Rugby Clubs.  Each week one of the Clubs hosted either the J7 or J8 competition. 
  • How far do we have to travel to play games?  Travel was to either Northcote Rugby(Recreation Drive, Birkenhead), Marist (Stadium Drive, Albany), Glenfield (Kaipatiki Park, Segedin Road, Glenfield) and every 4th week the TRFC teams played at home (Onewa Domain).  (2021 season)
  • What times are games played? J8 Games were played at 8am, J7 Games were played at 8:40am. (2021 season)


Tackle Rugby (TRFC Teams - J6, J5, J4, J3, J2 & J1)

Follow in the footsteps of our great All Blacks, Blues & North Harbour Rugby players by playing our National Game – tackle rugby!  From J6 children play 7-a side on just less than half a field, building to playing 15-a side on a full pitch in J1.  By J1 children have the experience of line-outs, scrums, tackles, rucks and mauls providing an excellent foundation of skills and experience for High School Rugby. 


Tackle Rugby is a great way for passionate young rugby players to develop their physicality, sportsmanship and enjoy the team/ community spirit.


  • What teams do we play? In the 2021 season, the TRFC Tackle Rugby teams were in competitions with clubs in the North Harbour Rugby Union.  This includes East Coast Bays, North Shore, Glenfield, Northcote, Silverdale, Marist, Helensville, Kumeu, Mahurangi & Massey.  The U13 Boys & Girls & U15 Girls teams also played Takapuna Grammar School & Kristin School.
  • How far do we have to travel to play games?  Travel was to either Home (Onewa Domain), East Coast Bays (Winsor Park, Mairangi Bay), North Shore (Devonport), Glenfield (Kaipatiki Park, Segedin Road, Glenfield), Northcote Rugby (Recreation Drive, Birkenhead), Silverdale (Silverdale), Marist (Stadium Drive, Albany), Helensville (Helensville), Kumeu (Riverhead Memorial Park, Riverhead), Mahurangi (Warkworth) & Massey (Moire Park, Massey). The season is 14 weeks in duration, and there are 10 Junior Rugby Clubs, so you generally go to all Clubs at least once. (2021 season)
  • What times are games played? Tackle Rugby Games were generally played from 9:20am to 11:40am (2021 season).​​​​​​​


RipRugby (TRFC Teams - U9 Boys, U11 Boys, U13 Boys & U15 Boys. U9 Girls, U11 Girls, U13 Girls, U15 Girls & U18 Girls. Mixed U15)


RipRugby is a game for all rugby players. It is a non-contact and easy-to-play game. RipRugby is one of the fastest growing sports in NZ!  Best of all, it’s a fun, fast game that’s exciting for those on and off the field as there is plenty of action with tries, helicopters and fancy footwork.


RipRugby is attractive for players that enjoy the Rugby format, but aren’t fond of making or taking tackles.  Historically, we have seen some players start with Rippa Rugby as little ones, but not enjoyed the code from J6 due to the introduction of tackling.  Many of these players have gone to Soccer, but not necessarily enjoyed it.  Now, NZ Rugby have an avenue where after J7 players can choose to either take the traditional tackle rugby route or the new RipRugby route, without leaving the code.


While the rules are simple and the game easy to learn, RipRugby promotes excellent ball handling and running skills and gives all players a chance to participate in a game similar to Rugby 7s and Touch.


Each team consists of a maximum of ten players, with seven on the field at any one time. Players wear their shirt tucked in with a velcro belt around their waist with a tag at each hip. General rugby sevens rules are followed. However, instead of tackling, the players on the defensive team can rip a tag off an attacking player if they have the ball. The defender must hold up the tag in the air and shout ‘rip’ as loud as possible, and the player who loses the tag must pass the ball immediately. After four rips against one team the ball is turned over.


  • What teams do we play? In the 2021 season, the TRFC Rippa Rugby teams were in competitions with clubs in the North Harbour Rugby Union which includes East Coast Bays, North Shore, Glenfield, Northcote, Silverdale, Marist, Helensville, Kumeu, Mahurangi & Massey.  The U13 Boys & Girls & U15 Girls teams also played Takapuna Grammar School & Kristin School.
  • How far do we have to travel to play games?  Travel was to either to Home (Onewa Domain), East Coast Bays (Winsor Park, Mairangi Bay), North Shore (Devonport), Glenfield (Kaipatiki Park, Segedin Road, Glenfield), Northcote Rugby (Recreation Drive, Birkenhead), Silverdale (Silverdale), Marist (Stadium Drive, Albany), Helensville (Helensville), Kumeu (Riverhead Memorial Park, Riverhead), Mahurangi (Warkworth) & Massey (Moire Park, Massey).  The season is 14 weeks in duration, and there are 10 Junior Rugby Clubs, so you generally go to all Clubs at least once. (2021 season)
  • What times are games played? Rip Rugby Games were generally played from 9:20am to 11:40am (2021 season).