How long is a rugby league sin-bin suspension during a match?

A rugby league sin-bin suspension during a match lasts ten minutes.

When a referee sends a player to the sin bin, that player must leave the field for ten minutes of playing time. The team normally continues with one fewer player during the suspension, creating a temporary numerical disadvantage. The player may return when the ten-minute period has elapsed, subject to the competition’s match procedures.

The sanction is commonly used for serious foul play, repeated infringements or professional fouls that do not warrant a sending-off. A red card is more severe: the dismissed player cannot return, and the team plays short for the remainder of the match under the applicable laws.

The sin bin is distinct from a tactical interchange. A coach cannot use an interchange to replace a sin-binned player’s place on the field and immediately restore the team to full strength. The sanction is designed to penalise both the individual and the team’s temporary game situation.