RULES
All Rugby Sevens players to play in boots.
Ball size four (match balls provided).
At least one member of each management team must have completed NZRU Small Blacks Course (NZRU Requirement).
The start and end of each half will be indicated by a siren controlled by tournament operations. A half can only end when the ball is dead (penalties and rips are NOT dead ball) and when a restart is not required by law.
Open weight in Girls and Boys divisions.
Teams to provide their own first aid kit and ice.
Technical Zones
2 x rectangular boxes measuring approx. 5 metres long x 2 metres wide have been painted on all fields on one side of the field, on each side of the halfway line. One box is for each team. These boxes are called ‘Technical Zones’ and are the only areas where the coaches, managers, reserves, medical personnel and water carriers of each team must be positioned during their game. No other personnel are permitted in this area during the game.
There is to be NO coaching of players by anyone located within these technical zones during the game.
There is to be no roaming of the touch line by any coach, manager, reserve, medical personnel, or water carrier during the game.
Each team is permitted to have one (1) medic and three (3) water carriers (4 people in total) and they must wear a “BIB” that clearly identifies them as such. No bib, no entry onto the field.
A coach cannot be a medic or a water carrier. A medic or a suitably trained person from each team is permitted on the field AT ANY TIME to treat an injured player.
Water carriers are only permitted on the field at a stoppage (try, conversion, Injury).
A penalty kick is NOT a stoppage.
Coaches are NOT permitted to approach or speak to match officials at all during the game. This includes half time.
Substitutions and Replacements
A team is permitted to make five (5) substitutions per match. All substitutions MUST be made at half time.
Any player that is temporarily replaced because of blood, can return to the game once the bleeding is controlled.
Any player on the bench can act as a temporary replacement for them, but that same person is the only one who can come off the field if the blood injured player returns.
If a player is injured, they can be permanently replaced by any player on the bench. This will not count towards the five substitutions. An injured player who is replaced cannot return to the game.
All replacements can only be made when the ball is dead, and with the permission of the referee (a penalty, free kick, free pass, or rip is not a dead ball).
Team coaches or managers must communicate ALL substitutions or replacements, including jersey numbers (where applicable), to the side-line match official.
Rugby Sevens Rules
- The Rules of Rugby Sevens are much the same of those used in the fifteen-man rugby union version of the game. The game is regulated by the same authority, World Rugby, therefore the rules of rugby sevens are very similar, and most teams use players that also play the full fifteen aside game. There are some major differences in the rugby sevens rule book though, which have a dramatic effect upon the game.
- The game is played by seven players on each side. Hence the name sevens. The team consists of three forwards and four backs.
- Games take place between two teams for a total of seven minutes each way, with a two-minute half time break.
- In the case of there being a draw at the end of a playoff game sudden death extra time is played, whereby five minute ‘halves’ are played until one of the teams scores (Try, Drop Goal Penalty), the first points scorer is then considered the winner of the game.
- The scoring system is the same as the 15 a side game, five points for a try, two for a conversion and three for both penalties and field goals. A penalty try is worth 7 points and there is no conversion.
- The difference is that all conversions must be taken within 30 seconds of the try being scored and must be taken as a drop goal rather than a place kick at least 15 metres in from the side lines and in line with the try being scored.
- A player receiving a yellow card is sent to the sin bin for a two-minute interval (counted as time in play, not real time) rather than 10 minutes.
- U13 DSLV-BALL CARRIER, No fending to the face = sanction-penalty kick.
- If a try is scored with at least 31 seconds or more before time expires, there must be a restart kick off. If a try is scored with 30 seconds or less before time expires, the scoring team can use up all the time remaining to take the conversion attempt and will not have to restart the game. If the scoring team scores 30 seconds or less before time expires AND WISH TO HAVE A RE-START, they have two options.
- They MUST attempt the conversion before the remaining time expires, or,
- The captain or the try scorer must immediately notify the referee that their team wish to DECLINE THE KICK. If this happens before time expires, the re-start kick off will occur.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards are required to be worn for Rugby Sevens. In New Zealand Domestic Safety Law Variations (DSLV) there is a strong stance enforcing the wearing of mouthguards. The process is as follows:
Three minutes prior to the scheduled kick off of a fixture, both teams are to line up on each side of the halfway line and show their mouth guards to the referee for inspection. Anyone found to not be in possession of a mouth guard at that time is NOT permitted to enter onto the field of play. If the game kicks off before they have retrieved their mouth guard, they may not re-join the match until the next stoppage in play.
On the first occasion that a referee observes a player from any team not wearing a mouth guard, the player shall be issued with a yellow card and ordered from the field for 2 mins. At that time, the referee should warn the captain of that team, that the next player from his team observed not wearing a mouth guard will receive a red card and an automatic 1 match suspension.
The team of the offending player shall not be permitted a replacement during the period the offending player is off the field. The player may return to the field of play once his period of temporary suspension has concluded and at the next stoppage in play, once they have a mouth guard. If the offending player is unable to return wearing a mouth guard in the approved manner, then that player may be replaced after a period of temporary suspension has elapsed. This will be deemed to be a permanent replacement and the offending player will not be permitted to return to the field of play under any circumstances, except in accordance with Law 3.13, but then only if that player is wearing a mouth guard in the approved manner.
On the next and or any subsequent occasion that a referee observes a different player from the same team not wearing a mouth guard, that player is to be penalised and ordered off (issued a red card).
That player will also be automatically suspended from playing for one (1) match.
NOTE: If a player produces a medical certificate stating they should not wear a mouthguard that player will be exempt from the requirement.
Kick Offs
- Unlike 15 a side rugby, the scoring team kicks off to the opposition, rather than the team that was scored against, allowing teams to get hold of the ball after they have conceded points.
- A free kick at the centre of halfway is awarded:
- If any player is in front of the ball when it is kicked.
- If the ball does not reach the opponents Ten Metre line.
- If the ball goes directly into touch, touch in goal or over the dead ball line.
- If the ball goes into the in-goal and the opposing team grounds the ball or makes it dead, or if the ball becomes dead by going into touch, in-goal or on or over the dead ball line.
Set Pieces
Scrummaging takes place between three forwards. These forwards bind together with each prop binding on their hooker and interlock their heads in the same way a front row in the full version of rugby would. The scrum half feeds the ball into the channel from any side between them whilst the hooker (central forward) tries to strike the ball backwards and the two ‘props’ (outer forwards) push.
Scrums are not to be pushed more than half a metre. (U13 DSLV)
Front Rowers may not intentionally kick the ball out of the tunnel or in the direction of the opposition goal line. (FK)
Lineouts take place between two players from each team lined up contest for the ball, plus a player from the team who didn’t knock, kick or carry the ball over the touch line (unless kicked from a penalty) responsible for throwing the ball back in. The team who is not throwing the ball in must have a player standing 2m by 2m away from the throwing player. Teams can choose to have up to one player in the receiving position.
Lifting in the line-out is not permitted. (U13 DSLV).
Quick throws are not permitted (U13 DSLV).
Fair Play
All players must play games in a positive spirit following the principles of good sportsmanship.
In instances of verbal abuse, physical abuse, poor sportsmanship, intentional offending, persistent reoffending or any other offending, a referee may send a player from the playing area.
If a player is sent from the playing area by the referee, they must remain off for the remainder of that game. However, that player can be replaced by another player who has not been sent off.
There shall be no intentional physical contact between players.
Coaches
Completion of the RugbySmart online module is compulsory for all coaches prior the Zespri AIMS Games Rugby Sevens tournament. The online module has educational videos and a series of questions on warm-up, recovery, hydration and nutrition which is relevant for coaches and managers.
Complete ‘RugbySmart for AIMS coaches’
Competition Points - Pool Play
| Result | Points awarded |
| Win | 4 points |
| Draw | 2 points |
| Loss by 1 | 1 point |
Determining Standings at the End of Pool Play
If two or more teams finish pool play tied on points, standings will be determined using the criteria below, applied in order until the tie is resolved.
When Two Teams Are Tied
The winner of the match played between the two teams will be ranked higher.
The team with the superior points differential (points for minus points against) will be ranked higher.
The team that has scored the most total points in pool play will be ranked higher.
The team with the superior try differential (tries for minus tries against) will be ranked higher.
The team that has scored the most tries in pool play will be ranked higher.
If still tied after applying criteria (1–5), a coin toss will determine the higher placing. The toss will be conducted between the team managers.
When Three or More Teams Are Tied
Comparing Like Placings Across Pools
Rugby Sevens Team Composition
Each team shall comprise:
Up to twelve players registered per team.
Up to three management per team.
For player welfare each team must have a minimum of 10 players.
Each team is only allowed five reserves per game.
Up to three management.
The players are to be numbered and these details entered into the Zespri AIMS Games registration system in advance of the event. Each player must wear a jersey with his/her nominated number in every match in which he/she plays in the tournament.
Golden Point Extra Time
In the event of a draw at the end of normal time in a play‑off match, Golden Point extra time will apply.
Teams will have a 1‑minute break.
The referee will bring both captains together for a coin toss (Team A to toss, Team B to call).
The match will then resume with a kick‑off.
Play will continue for 2 x 5‑minute halves, and the first team to score any points will be declared the winner.
If no points are scored after the two 5‑minute halves, the winner will be determined in the following order:
Most tries scored in the match
First try scored
If the score is 3–3 or 0–0, the result will be decided by a coin toss
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