Short Version
(Full version - pdf)
- Game duration: Two
18-minute
halves with a 1-minute half time
- Play starts and restarts
at the centre with a "tap". This is performed by moving the ball
on the ground with the foot, free from the hands, and then picking it up.
Penalties are performed by the same procedure. On both a re-start and
penalty the defending team must retreat at least 10 metres.
- Six players are allowed
on the field at any one time, with any amount of reserves off the field.
Reserves can be continuously substituted at any time from one side of the
field. The substituting players must make contact with each other behind the
sideline.
- A try is scored by
grounding the ball on, or behind, the try-line. One point is awarded.
- A legal touch is on any
part of the body, clothing and ball. A player must claim a touch by raising
a hand and shouting, "Touch". The referee is the sole judge of the
touch and has the discretion to overrule a claim. (Play to the whistle). An
attacking player may affect the touch by deliberately touching the
opposition.
- When touched, the player
in possession must place the ball on the ground at the exact point of the
touch. Play is re-started by stepping over the ball. It can be controlled
with a hand or foot. This is known as a ROLLBALL. The ball may not roll more
than a metre. A player may not perform a rollball unless touched.
- The player picking up
the ball (the dummy-half or acting half) may run, but if touched a
changeover occurs. The dummy-half may not score and a changeover (rollball)
will be awarded if this occurs.
- After 6 touches
possession changes. The attacking team begins play on the "first
down", starting with a "rollball".
- All defending players
must retire more than 5 metres in line with the mark of touch. The defending
team cannot move forward until play restarts, nor interfere with play whilst
retreating. A restart occurs the moment the ball is tapped or the dummy-half
touches the ball at the roll ball. If there is no dummy-half in position
(within 1 metre of the mark) defenders may advance from an on-side position.
- If the attacking player,
when making a quick start, is touched by an off-side defender, play is
allowed to continue. If an attacking side gains no advantage, a penalty tap
for the first down will be given.
- When a rollball is taken
within 5 metres of the scoreline the defending players must retreat with
both feet to behind their scoreline before they can make the touch. If a
player is touched in the touchdown zone before grounding the ball the touch
counts and play is restarted on the 5-metre line. At all times no team may
delay the game by deliberately delaying a roll ball.
- If the ball is dropped
or if a player crosses the sideline before being touched, change of
possession will occur. This is by means of a roll ball.
- A penalty is awarded for
the following infringements; a forward pass, offside play, performing a roll
ball over the mark, claiming a Touch when none was made, interfering with
the roll ball (running around the ruck) and passing the ball once touched.
When a penalty is awarded, the referee will advance 10 metres from where the
infringement occurred. The referee must give the exact mark from where the
Tap Ball must be taken. The defending team must retire 10 metres from the
mark or behind the try-line.
- If the defending team
unsuccessfully intercepts the ball or it is intentionally knocked down, the
attacking team starts from a "first down" roll ball.
- The principle of
advantage will be applied.
- No obstruction,
excessive contact, verbal abuse or foul play will be tolerated - the referee
is sole judge. A penalty will be awarded in such cases and a player can
receive 2 minutes in the SIN BIN. Serious or continual foul play of any
nature will result in the player being sent off without a replacement.
League Points
Points are awarded as
follows
| Win
|
3
points |
| Draw |
2
points |
| Lose |
1
points |
| No show |
-1 points |
League Positions
A team's final league standing will determine the Knock-out competition in which
they will play and the opponents that they will face:
Top four teams enter the
semi-final play-offs. The team placed first in the league will play the
team placed fourth. The winners secure a place in the final. The teams
placed second and third will play each other and the winners will secure a place
in the final.