The Goodwill rule means that once a team is 30 points ahead during a juniors game a player must be removed from the winning side. 

For each further 10 points scored by the winning side another player will be removed from the team. 

For example if team A and B are playing and the score is 30-0 then team A will remove one player, if the score increases to 40-0 two players will be sidelined from team A and so on. 

If the score starts swinging back players from the winning side may add players back to the field in the same method as they were removed.

“This Goodwill Rule was introduced into the ACT Juniors Competition a year or so ago to prevent blowout scores in matches,” Southern Inland Rugby Union community manager Mick McTaggart said.

“All Teams will be given a Notice of the ‘Goodwill Rule’ when they arrive at the venue on Sunday and it will be displayed prominently around the different playing areas.”

Mr McTaggart stressed it is very important that all team coaches, managers and referees communicate effectively when scores reach a certain point to trigger off the Goodwill Rule.

Mr McTaggart said SIRU had originally wanted to introduce the new rule earlier in the season, however it has turned out well that it will be introduced for round five.

The rule will be in effect for all games with the exception of the finals which will revert to the previous rules.

Anyone with any comments or feedback regarding the introduction of the new rule are asked to contact SIRU Juniors president Linden Gunn before Wednesday night’s executive meeting to be held in Temora.