RWC 2021

Tournament Rules

Presented By

Laws and Regulations

The Tournament will be played according to the current Laws of the Game and Regulations Relating to the Game (available on World Rugby’s website at laws.worldrugby.org/ and www.world.rugby/handbook/regulations respectively). Participants will also be subject to the provisions contained in the Terms of Participation and subsequent communications and directions of

Half-time

Half-time for each match will be 15 minutes.  

Tournament Format

Pool phase

The 12 Teams were allocated to three pools of four Teams each at the RWC 2021 Draw, held in Auckland in November 2020. 

  • Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Scotland
  • Pool B: USA, Canada, Japan, Italy, Japan
  • Pool C: England, France, South Africa, Fiji

The pool phase will consist of a round robin in which each Team shall play each other within the pool once. There will be six Matches played in each pool, for a total of 18 Matches in the pool phase of the Tournament.  Eight teams will progress to the quarter-finals, four teams will depart the Tournament and return home the day after completion of the pool phase.  Four teams will progress to the semi-finals and final rounds, four teams will depart the Tournament and return home the day after the completion of the quarter-finals.  

Match Points System

The following number of Match points will be awarded for each pool phase Match: (a)Teams will play each other in each Pool on a round robin basis. Match points will be awarded for each pool match on the following basis:

  • Win = 4 points
  • Draw = 2 points
  • Scoring 4 tries of more = 1 point
  • Loss by 7 or less points = 1 point
  • Loss by more that 7 points = 0 points
  • No show = 0 points

Points will be awarded at the completion of each Pool Match and no extra time shall be played.

Ranking within Pools 

At the conclusion of the Pool phase, the Teams in a Pool are ranked one through four based on their cumulative Match points, and identified respectively as winner, runner up, third and fourth. If, at the completion of the Pool phase, two or more Teams in a pool 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: 

(i) The winner of the Match in which the two tied Teams have played each other shall be the higher ranked:   

(ii) 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:   

(iii) 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:   

(iv) The Team which has scored most points in all its Pool Matches shall be the higher ranked:   

(v) The Team which has scored most tries in all its Pool Matches shall be the higher ranked: and   

(vi) Should the tie be unresolved at the conclusion of steps 1 through 5, the ranking as per the updated Official World Rankings once the pool phases are complete, 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 (i).  

Qualification to Quarter-Final 

Once Teams have been seeded within their pools Teams will then be seeded against other Teams who finished in the same position in other pools to determine a rankings of 1 through 12 for all Teams. If two or more Teams are level on competition points, then the same criteria (save for criterion (i)) will be used to seed the Teams as 1 to 12.  

  • 1st Seed: Pool winner with most competition points
  • 2nd Seed: Pool winner with 2nd most competition points
  • 3rd Seed: Pool winner with 3rd most competition points
  • 4th Seed: Pool second place with most competition points
  • 5th Seed: Pool second place with 2nd most competition points
  • 6th Seed: Pool second place with 3rd most competition points
  • 7th Seed: Pool third place with most competition points
  • 8th Seed: Pool third place with 2nd most competition points
  • 9th Seed: Pool third place with 3rdmost competition points
  • 10th Seed: Pool fourth place with most competition points
  • 11th Seed: Pool fourth place with 2nd most competition points
  • 12th Seed: Pool fourth place with 3rd most competition points

For the avoidance of doubt, Teams ranked 9th to 12th will have no further matches and will depart.   

Knockout Matches  

Quarter-finals  

The quarter-final Matches will be determined as follows:   

  • Seed 1 v Seed 8  
  • Seed 2 v Seed 7  
  • Seed 3 v Seed 6  
  • Seed 4 v Seed 5  

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 knockout Matches, as follows:   

  • SF - Winner QF (1v8) v Winner QF (4v5)
  • SF - Winner QF (2v7) v Winner QF (3v6)  

The order in which the quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played on the respective Match days is subject to the finalisation of the match schedule and completion of the pool rounds.    

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

Tied Matches  

Pool phase  

Tied Matches will be considered as a draw in the pool phase and no winner will be 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.    

Knockout Matches   

For quarter-finals, semifinals, the Bronze Final and the Final, if Teams are tied at full-time, then the winner shall be determined through the following sequential criteria  

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 (of TOP). 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  

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;    

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 5.2.7. 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.   

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:  

  • 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.  
  • Only players in the playing enclosure at the time of the completion of the sudden death period may take 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 the completion of the sudden death period may take part in the kicking competition at any time. Each Team captain must nominate five players to participate in the kicking competition and the order in which they kick must be specified to the referee by the start of the kicking competition.   

The Match Officials and Team Members will assemble on the halfway line. Team Members must remain behind the halfway line in the side of the playing area not being used for the kicking competition. No one except the referee, two assistant referees and two members of the ball team is allowed in the part of the playing area being used for the competition.  

The five players from each Team will place kick from three different areas, all on the 22 metre line, as follows:  

  • 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 the posts) The referee will start the competition by calling the first player selected from the Team kicking first to the first kicking position. Once the player has taken the kick, the referee calls a player from the opposing Team to kick from the same position.  

The next two players (one from each Team) will kick from the second position in turn. This will continue until all five players from each Team have kicked (the next players kicking respectively from the third position, first position and finally the second position), or until one Team is unable to equal the score of the other Team within the remaining number of kicks. For clarification purposes, the order and 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)  

If there is an equal number of successful kicks once each Team has completed its five kicks, the competition continues on a “sudden death” basis, following the same order of kickers used in the first five kicks.    

The competition will continue two kicks at a time (one from each Team), going progressively through the 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.  

Throughout the kicking competition:  

  • Players must be nominated immediately on request by the referee. Once a player has been handed the ball on the kicking area, she must take the kick within one minute. Should she take longer, the referee shall declare the kick void.   
  • After each kick, the referee will record the number of the player and whether or not the attempt was successful. The Match Press Officer will record the same details on the official Match report.   
  • Whether or not the kick is successful is the sole decision of the referee, who may at his/her sole discretion rely on the assistance of the assistant referees and/or the TMO. The referee’s decision shall be final and binding.  
  • Once a player has completed his kick, she shall return to stand with her Team behind the halfway line in the side of the playing area not being used for the kicking competition.  

Should a player injure herself during the kicking competition, this player may be replaced. If a replacement is required, the Team can call upon a replacement kicker but only select from the remaining 10 players that were on the Field of Play at the end of sudden death. For the avoidance of doubt, a player not on the Field of Play at the end of sudden death cannot participate in the kicking competition  

Delayed, Abandoned and Cancelled Matches  

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

To the extent necessary and appropriate for the Tournament, the delay, abandonment or cancellation of Matches for reasons relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and/or any breach of any applicable COVID-19 Protocols by any Team or Team Member (and the consequences of any such delay, abandonment or cancellation in terms of Match outcomes) shall be determined in accordance with the COVID-19 Disciplinary Protocol and/or Clause 9 of the Participation Agreement.   

Subject always to the foregoing, where the delay, abandonment or cancellation of a Match is deemed to be caused by a Participating Union not acting under instruction of a Match Official or Match Commissioner, such Participating Union shall, in accordance with the provisions of the Participation Agreement, be subject to the decisions of RWCL 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 cases of delayed Matches will be circulated to Teams in due course. At all times, Teams should adhere to the transport and Match day timings provided to them by RWCL.  

Pool Matches

Delayed Matches  

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

Cancelled Matches  

Where a pool Match cannot be commenced on the day in which it is scheduled, it shall be considered cancelled. In such situations, the result shall be declared a draw and Teams will be allocated two Match points each and no score registered. For the avoidance of doubt, no bonus points will be awarded.  

Abandoned Matches  

Where a pool Match is stopped following commencement, and cannot be completed the same day, it shall 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, the score at the time of the abandonment shall be considered as final and used to determine the result of the Match  
  2. Where a Match has to be abandoned at any time during the first half the result shall be declared a draw for Match points purposes, however each Team will keep its score at the time of the abandonment. Any bonus points for scoring four tries secured at the time of the abandonment are also retained 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 on the delay of Matches will be taken as early as possible on the Match day and be communicated to Teams by the Match Commissioner.  

Cancelled Matches  

Where a knock-out Match cannot commence on the day in which it is scheduled, and there is deemed by the Tournament Director to be no opportunity to reschedule the match, 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 semi-finals).  
  • 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).  

Abandoned Matches  

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

In such situations, the following procedures shall apply:  

  1. Where a Match has to be abandoned at any point in the first half, the Match will be deemed to be cancelled.  The criteria for determining the winner of the match is outlined in this Section 5.3.2 Cancelled matches.  
  2. Where a Match has to be abandoned either at half-time or at any time during the second half or any additional periods of play, the score at the time of the abandonment shall be considered as final and used 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 sequential criteria:  

  • 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 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 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)