RWC 2019

Tournament Rules

1. Laws and Regulations

The Tournament will be played according to the current Laws and Regulations. Participants will also be subject to additional specifications contained in the Terms of Participation and subsequent communications and directions of RWCL.

2. Tournament Format

1. Pool phase

The 20 Teams were allocated to four pools of five Teams each at the RWC 2019 Pool Draw, held in Kyoto in May 2017.

The pool phase will consist of a round robin in which each Team shall play each other within the pool once. There will be 10 Matches played in each pool, for a total of 40 Matches in the pool phase of the Tournament.

2. Match points system

The following number of Match points will be awarded for each pool phase Match:

  • Win 4 points
  • Draw 2 points
  • Loss 0 points
  • 4 or more tries 1 point
  • Loss by 7 points or less 1 point

No Match points will be awarded to a Team which has been expelled from the Tournament, refuses to play a Match or abandons a Match in progress, without direction from Match Officials or the Match Commissioner, subject always to the provisions of the Terms of Participation. Should this occur, the opponent in that Match shall be awarded a win and therefore four Match points. For the avoidance of doubt, bonus points will not be awarded.

Where a Team is expelled from the Tournament, it shall forfeit all Match points previously awarded and its opponents in each Match previously played shall be awarded four Match points (which shall replace any Match points previously awarded from the particular Match). All points scored for and against in these Matches shall be discounted in the official pool rankings and Team records used for Tournament purposes.

3. Rankings at the completion of the pool phase

At the completion of the pool phase, the Teams in a pool are ranked one through five based on their cumulative Match points, and identified respectively as winner, runner-up, third, fourth and fifth.

If at the completion of the pool phase two or more Teams are level on Match points, then the following criteria shall be used in the following order until one of the Teams can be determined as the higher ranked:

  1. The winner of the Match in which the two tied Teams have played each other shall be the higher ranked.
  2. The Team which has the best difference between points scored for and points scored against in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked.
  3. The Team which has the best difference between tries scored for and tries scored against in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked.
  4. The Team which has scored most points in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked.
  5. The Team which has scored most tries in all its pool Matches shall be the higher ranked.
  6. Should the tie be unresolved at the conclusion of steps 1 through 5, the rankings as per the updated. Official World Rugby World Rankings on October 14, 2019 will determine the higher ranked Team.

For clarification, in the case of a tie between three or more Teams at the end of the pool phase, once the highest ranked Team has been determined following the above criteria, to determine the next higher ranked Team the process would repeat, starting at criterion 1.

Qualification / elimination at the conclusion of the pool phase
The winner and runner-up in each pool qualify for the quarter-finals. Teams ranked third, fourth and fifth will be eliminated from the Tournament.

4. Knock-out Matches

Quarter-finals
The first two Teams in each pool will progress to the quarter-final round, which will be contested by knock-out Matches. The quarter-final Matches will be determined as follows:

QF 1 - Winner Pool C v Runner up Pool D
QF 2 - Winner Pool B v Runner up Pool A
QF 3 - Winner Pool D v Runner up Pool C
QF 4 - Winner Pool A v Runner up Pool B

Teams winning quarter-final Matches qualify for the semi-finals and Teams losing quarter-final Matches will be eliminated from the Tournament.

Semi-finals
The semi-final Matches will be contested by knock-out Matches, as follows:

SF 1 - Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
SF 2 - Winner QF3 v Winner QF4

The winners of the semi-final Matches qualify for the Final, and the losers of the semi-final Matches will contest the Bronze Final.

The RWC 2019 Match Schedule is included in Section 7.

5. Tied Matches

Pool phase
Tied Matches will be considered as a draw in the pool phase and no winner determined through additional rules.This means that each Team is awarded two Match points for the drawn Match plus any bonus point earned for scoring four or more tries.

Knock-out Matches
For quarter-finals, semi-finals, the Bronze Final and the Final, if Teams are tied at fulltime, then the winner shall be determined through the following sequential criteria;

  1. Extra time
    Following an interval of 5 minutes, extra time of 10 minutes each way (with an interval of 5 minutes) shall be played in full (referred to in this Section as “Normal Extra Time”). For the avoidance of doubt,Teams must remain on the Field of Play. The Match referee will conduct a coin toss during the 5-minute interval to determine which Team will kick-off and the direction of play. Team B will call the toss, in line with Section 7. The Team captain who wins the coin toss can either:
    • nominate to kick-off, therefore the other Team must choose the direction they will play
    • nominate their preferred direction of play, therefore the other Team must kick-off
  2. Sudden death
    If the scores are tied at the conclusion of Normal Extra Time, then following an interval of 5 minutes a further extra time of 10 minutes maximum shall be played (referred to in this Section as “Sudden Death”). At the end of Normal Extra Time, Teams swap ends and whichever Team kicked off the first half of Normal Extra Time also kicks off Sudden Death. During this period the first Team to score any points shall be declared the winner;
  3. Kicking competition
    If after this Sudden Death period no winner can be declared, a kicking competition will be organised between the two Teams as set out in Section 5.2.6. The winner of that competition shall be declared the winner of the Match.

Presentation of the final score in tied Matches
For Matches completed at the end of Normal Extra Time or during the Sudden Death, the final score will be presented as the score at the time at which the Match was completed (that is, including Normal Extra Time or Sudden Death).

For Matches completed through the organisation of a kicking competition, the final score shall be presented as the Match score at the completion of the Sudden Death period, followed in brackets by the notification of the winner of the Match and the score in the kicking competition.

6. Kicking competition

If at the end of a knock-out Match, after Normal Extra Time and Sudden Death periods of play have been completed, the Teams remain tied, then the referee will conduct a place-kick competition to determine the winner of the Match. RWCL will predetermine which end the kicking competition will take place in order to simplify relocation of photographers and ensure the best broadcast coverage of the kicking competition.

The following procedures apply:

  1. All players and Match Officials will remain on the playing enclosure. The referee will call the captains of the two Teams to the centre of the playing enclosure and will conduct a coin toss. As per Section 7 Team B will call the toss. The winner of the coin toss will choose which Team kicks first.
  2. Only players on the playing enclosure at the time of the completion of the sudden death period maytake part in the kicking competition. For the avoidance of doubt, no substituted (including for injury,HIA and/or blood), ordered off or temporarily suspended player not on the Field of Play at thecompletion of the sudden death period may take part in the kicking competition at any time. EachTeam captain must nominate five players to participate in the kicking competition and the order inwhich they kick must be specified to the referee by the start of the kicking competition.
  3. The Match Officials and Team Members will assemble on the halfway line. Team Members mustremain behind the halfway line in the side of the playing area not being used for the kickingcompetition. No one except the referee, two assistant referees and two members of the ball team isallowed in the part of the playing area being used for the competition.
  4. The five players from each Team will place kick from three different areas, all on the 22 metre line, asfollows:
    • Position 1: directly in front of the posts
    • Position 2: on the 15 metre line on the left-hand side of the posts (determined as facing the posts)
    • Position 3: on the 15 metre line on the right-hand side of the posts (determined as facing theposts)
  5. The referee will start the competition by calling the first player selected from the Team kicking first tothe first kicking position. Once the player has taken the kick, the referee calls a player from theopposing Team to kick from the same position.
  6. The next two players (one from each Team) will kick from the second position in turn. This willcontinue until all five players from each Team have kicked (the next players kicking respectively fromthe third position, first position and finally the second position), or until one Team is unable to equalthe score of the other Team within the remaining number of kicks. For clarification purposes, the orderand positions of kickers is as follows:
    • Kicker 1 from each Team, from position 1
    • Kicker 2 from each Team, from position 2
    • Kicker 3 from each Team, from position 3
    • Kicker 4 from each Team, from position 1
    • Kicker 5 from each Team, from position 2
    Location of the Referee is approximate (centrally located between the 22m and 10m lines)

  7. If there is an equal number of successful kicks once each Team has completed its five kicks, thecompetition continues on a “sudden death” basis, following the same order of kickers used in the firstfive kicks.
  8. The competition will continue two kicks at a time (one from each Team), going progressively throughthe three kicking positions stated above, starting at position 1 (and repeating the process if necessary)until one player succeeds with a kick and the player from the other side taking the same kick misses it.Once this occurs, the Team of the player who succeeded with the kick will be declared the winner.
  9. Throughout the kicking competition:
    1. Players must be nominated immediately on request by the referee. Once a player has beenhanded the ball on the kicking area, he must take the kick within one minute. Should he takelonger, the referee shall declare the kick void.
    2. After each kick, the referee will record the number of the player and whether or not the attemptwas successful. The Match Press Officer will record the same details on the official Matchreport.
    3. Whether or not the kick is successful is the sole decision of the referee, who may at his solediscretion rely on the assistance of his assistant referees and/or the TMO. The referee’sdecision shall be final and binding.
    4. Once a player has completed his kick, he shall return to stand with his Team behind thehalfway line in the side of the playing area not being used for the kicking competition.
    5. Should a player injure himself during the kicking competition, this player may be replaced. If areplacement is required, the Team can call upon a replacement kicker but only select from theremaining 10 players that were on the Field of Play at the end of sudden death. For theavoidance of doubt, a player not on the Field of Play at the end of sudden death cannotparticipate in the kicking competition.

3. Delayed, Postponed, Abandoned and Cancelled Matches

In the interests of the Teams, the commencement of Matches at the scheduled time shall be the first priority inall instances. However, in circumstances deemed necessary and/or appropriate by RWCL, Matches may needto be delayed, postponed, abandoned or cancelled. All decisions in this regard shall be communicated to Teamsby the Match Commissioner.

Where the delay, abandonment, postponement or cancellation of a Match is deemed to be caused by aParticipating Union, not acting under instruction of a Match Official or Match Commissioner, such ParticipatingUnion shall, in accordance with the provisions of the Participation Agreement, be subject to the decisions ofRWCL regarding forfeiture of the Match, and financial and/or other sanctions as appropriate.

A policy regarding the minimum time Teams will receive for warm up and other Match preparation in the casesof delayed Matches will be circulated to Teams in due course. At all times, Teams should adhere to thetransport and Match day timings provided to them by JR2019 and RWCL.

Pool Matches

Delayed Matches
Where a pool Match cannot be started at the scheduled time, it will be considered delayed. Decisions on thedelay of Matches will be taken as early as possible on the Match day and be communicated to Teams by theMatch Commissioner.

Cancelled Matches
Where a pool Match cannot be commenced on the day in which it is scheduled, it shall not be postponed to thefollowing day, and shall be considered as cancelled. In such situations, the result shall be declared a draw andTeams will be allocated two Match points each and no score registered. For the avoidance of doubt, no bonuspoints will be awarded.

Abandoned Matches
Where a pool Match is stopped following commencement, and cannot be completed the same day, it will not berescheduled to the following day, and will be considered as abandoned.

In such situations, the following procedures shall apply:

  1. Where a Match has to be abandoned either at half time or at any time during the second half, thescore at the time of the abandonment shall be considered as final and used to determine the result ofthe Match.
  2. Where a Match has to be abandoned at any time during the first half the result shall be declared adraw for Match points purposes, however each Team will keep its score at the time of theabandonment. Any bonus points for scoring four tries secured at the time of the abandonment are alsoretained by the Teams involved in abandoned pool Matches.

Knock-out Matches

Delayed Matches
Where a knock-out Match cannot be started at the scheduled time, it will be considered delayed. Decisions onthe delay of Matches will be taken as early as possible on the Match day and be communicated to Teams by theMatch Commissioner.

Postponed Matches
Where a knock-out Match cannot be commenced on the scheduled Match day, it will be considered aspostponed, and will be re-scheduled to be played within the two days following the scheduled Match day, orsuch longer period as determined by RWCL.

Abandoned Matches
Where a knock-out Match is stopped following commencement, and cannot be completed the same day, it shallbe considered as abandoned.

In such situations, the following procedures shall apply:

  1. Where a Match has to be abandoned either at half-time or at any time during the second half or anyadditional periods of play, the score at the time of the abandonment shall be considered as final andused to determine the result of the Match.If the above result is a tie, then the winner will be determined by reference to the following sequentialcriteria:
    • The Team which scored most tries in that particular Match.
    • The Team with the most Match points from the pool phase.
    • The Team which in all its Tournament Matches has the best difference between points scoredfor and points scored against.
    • The Team which in all its Tournament Matches has the best difference between tries scoredfor and tries scored against.
    • The Team which in all its Tournament Matches has scored most points.
    • The Team which in all its Tournament Matches has scored most tries.
    • Where all criteria above are not able to determine a winner, the winner shall be the Team that is higher ranked in the official World Rugby World Rankings at the time the Match is scheduled to be played (this criterion will not apply for the Final; in the case that the winner of the Final cannot be determined from the above criteria the two Teams shall be jointly declared winners).
  2. Where a Match has to be abandoned at any time during the first half, the Match shall be played againin full within the two days following the scheduled Match day at the same Venue, or if required, analternate Venue as directed by RWCL, for the full time, or such longer period as determined by RWCL.

Cancelled Matches
Where a knock-out Match cannot commence within the two days following the scheduled Match day (or such longer period as specified by RWCL) or is abandoned prior to half-time and cannot be postponed and rescheduled within this period, it shall be considered as cancelled.

In such situations, the following sequential criteria shall apply to determine the winner of the cancelled Match:

  • The Team with the most Match points from the pool phase (applicable in quarter-finals and semifinals).
  • The Team which in all its Tournament Matches has the best difference between points scored for and points scored against.
  • The Team which in all its Tournament Matches has the best difference between tries scored for and tries scored against.
  • The Team which in all its Tournament Matches has scored most points.
  • The Team which in all its Tournament Matches has scored most tries.
  • Where all criteria above are not able to determine a winner, the Team that is higher ranked in the official World Rugby World Rankings at the time the Match is scheduled to be played (this criterion will not apply for the Final; in the case that the winner of the Final cannot be determined from the above criteria the two Teams shall be jointly declared winners).

4. Opposed Training Sessions

From September 8, 2019 Teams are not permitted to play non-Tournament Matches but are allowed to conduct opposed training sessions. Teams are not permitted to include players from the Preliminary Training Squad or any other player that could potentially be selected for the Tournament Team in opposed training sessions with or against the Tournament Team.

Once a Team has officially entered the Tournament all training sessions, opposed or otherwise, must take place at agreed and nominated JR2019 Training Venues.

These sessions cannot be advertised, have recorded scores, cannot be ticketed or reported as Matches by media and must be de-structured as much as possible. All Commercial Rules must be respected by all participants in an opposed training session.

Teams must inform RWCL and JR2019 if any opposed training sessions are planned.