Touch NZ had previously implemented the FIT 5th Edition Trial playing rules at all Touch NZ National events during the 2020/2021 season. Following consultation with FIT and National Touch Organisations it was resolved to adopt the FIT 5th Edition Trial playing rules for Touch. As such, Touch New Zealand formally adopt these at a community level through Modules, Provincial Associations and Regions for the 2021/2022 season. 

Implementation at a community level 

We encourage all Provincial Associations and Module organisers to implement the FIT 5th Edition playing rules to align with the ruling used through the pathways of Touch NZ. 

Key rule changes and considerations from a module perspective would be:

• Changes to field markings e.g., 5-metre line is now a 7-metre line
• Players are now expected to retire a fixed distance of seven metres to be onside
• On an intercept by a defending player, the first touch will now be zero (0) touch
• Sin bin duration now defined as four (4) complete possessions
• As well as significant changes to the drop-off procedure 

The full FIT 5th Edition playing rules can be found here.

To read the memo in full - click here.

Article added: Tuesday 31 August 2021