How many players are on the field, and how do replacements work?

Question

Accepted Answer

On the field: no more than five players per team at any one time, and a team cannot play on with fewer than three. Named players: each team nominates up to three replacements before the start of the game, and gives their names to the Lead Referee. A maximum of eight interchanges is allowed from the eight named players. Sanctioned by the referee: substitutions are sanctioned by the Lead Referee or an official appointed for it. A player other than one replacing an injured player cannot be substituted during a play-the-ball, except when play is stopped for injury. Bleeding and breakdowns: a bleeding player must leave the field for attention and can be replaced, and mechanical failure may require a substitution. Both count towards the eight interchanges. Ninth player: a ninth player replacement can be activated if a player is ruled ineligible to return by the team medical officer after a head injury assessment, or after any injury caused by an opposition player's foul play where that opposition player was sin-binned or dismissed. Late arrivals: the replacement laws also apply to a player who arrives late and wants to join in after the game has started. Numbers: players' clothing should be individually numbered.