Rules and Regulations

All matches in the Tournament will be played to the Laws of the Game of Rugby League as current at the time of the Tournament EXCEPT THAT:

a).Each team shall be permitted a squad of up to 15 players. The game shall be played by two teams each consisting of not more than 9 players on the field at any time. Each team may nominate a maximum of 4 replacements/substitutes before the start of the game. Unlimited substitutions shall be allowed but to be controlled by the 4th official. In order to make a substitution the player leaving the field of play must touch hands with his replacement. Such contact to be made on the touchline or outside the field of play.

b).Each match will be of 15 minutes duration and will be comprised of two halves of 7 minutes 30 seconds. There will be no half time interval but teams will be allowed a maximum of 1 minute to change ends. Each half will commence with a place kick. The time will be controlled by the 4th Official. The hooter will sound immediately 7 mins 30 seconds has elapsed in each half regardless of where the ball is. The referee will acknowledge the sounding of the hooter by raising his arm as he would do to signal the last tackle. He will then blow his whistle to end the game when the ball is next out of play or a tackle is effected.

c).To form a scrum not more than 5 forwards will be used. There will be no more than 3 in the front row and not more than 2 in the second row. When the ball is in the scrum no more than 4 players from each team shall act as backs. The ball must emerge from behind the feet of the second row. A second row forward cannot detach early to pick the ball up out of the scrum.

d).A drop kick shall be taken after a try has been scored and shall count as 2 points if successful.

e) When points have been scored the team against which points have been scored will restart the game with a tap restart from the centre of the half way line.Play cannot recommence until the goalkicker and officials are in place. Players from the team that has conceded the score do not have to retire behind the try line but must not interfere with any conversion attempt.

f) When a team is awarded a penalty then play must proceed by way of a tap 10 metres in advance of where the infringement took place.

g) In the event of misconduct by a player the referee shall, at his discretion, caution, temporarily suspend for 2 minutes or dismiss the offender.

Drawn Games

If a match in the knock out stages is drawn at full time then it will be determined with a golden score i.e. the first team to score a/any point(s) will be the winner. A coin toss will determine which team kicks off and which goal line to attack.

Abandoned Game

If a match is abandoned before the duration of the game the Tournament Executive shall decide the outcome.