Rules

Appendix 11a ISSEA Rugby Rules - FROM ISSEA HANDBOOK

Inter-Schools Rugby 7’s - Laws of the game

Law 1: A team of 12 players and 2 coaches are permitted for each school.

Law 2: Games take place between two teams for a total of 7 minutes each way, with a 5-minute half time break. 

Law 3: In the case of there being a draw at the end of a playoff game, sudden death extra time is played, whereby 5 minute 'halves' are played until one of the teams scores, the scorer is then considered the winner of the game. 

Law 4: When there is a drawn match and extra time is required, after a break of one minute extra time is played in periods of five minutes. After each period, the teams change ends without an interval.

Law 4.1: In case of a draw after one five minute extra time period with no score, the match is to be decided by dropkicks.

Law 5: The scoring system is 5 points for a try, 2 for a conversion and 3 for both penalties and drop goals.

Law 6: All conversions must be taken within 40 seconds of the try being scored and must be taken as a drop goal rather than a place kick.

Law 7: The scoring team kicks off to the opposition, rather than the team that was scored against, allowing teams to get a hold of the ball after they have conceded.

Law 8: Players receiving a yellow card are sent to the sin bin for a 2-minute interval (counted as time in play, not real time). 

Law 8.1: A second yellow card (or red) during the tournament will incur a one-match ban. This carries over from the RR to the KO rounds including the final.

Law 9: Scrummages take place between 3 forwards. These forwards bind together 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 between them whilst the hooker (central forward) tries to strike the ball backwards and the two 'props' (outer forwards) push.

Law 10: Line-outs take place between 3 (sometimes 2) players, with a player from the team who didn't knock or carry the ball over the touchline (unless kicked from a penalty where it is the team that kicked it out) responsible for throwing the ball back in (usually the hooker.

Law 11: Teams have 5 subs and that these subs are “rolling” subs. 

These subs will enter and exit the field of play on or at the halfway line. This interchange will be officiated by the 4th official. Subs will only be made when there is a stoppage in play such as scrums, lineout, try being scored and injury. Subs will not be made on a penalty or a short arm free kick.

Law 11.1: Once a player is replaced, they will no longer take part in the game, unless they come on as a blood/head injury replacement.

Law 12: All matches will be played using size 5 rugby balls.

Law 13: All U15 division participants must be aged 14 or younger on 1 September of the current academic year.

Law 14: Tiebreaker for pool play standards are in the following order: 

1. Head to head

2. Point differential amongst teams tied in whole round robin

Recommendations:

1. Teams should be encouraged to form a tunnel and clap the opposition off the field at the conclusion of the match as in true rugby tradition.

2. Host school needs two ambulances, physiotherapy facilities, and multiple medical tents.