2007 Mazda ARC Competition Rules

IRFB Rules: All Matches will be played according to the laws, regulations, protocols and guidelines set down by the International Rugby Board (IRB).  An explanation of the ‘Laws of the Game’ can be found at www.irb.com

The inaugural Mazda ARC will also be the testing ground for all eight Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) devised at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University, that are aimed at bringing more free-flowing play to Rugby.  For more information on the ELVs to be adopted in the Mazda ARC, follow the link below.

Click here for more information on the Experimental Law Variations

Half Time: All matches observe a 10-minute half time break.

Points Tabulation: Points are awarded on the following basis.

Determining Semi Finalists and Venue

• Position in the competition table shall be determined by competition points.
• In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position in the competition table such position shall be determined on the margin of points scored for and against. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against being considered the leading team in the respective position.
• In the event of (b) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the basis of the result between the teams, vying for positions in the table, of their pool game.
• In the event of (c) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the basis of the team scoring most tries in the series.
• The top four teams will play off to determine the finalists:
    - Team One v Team Four
    - Team Two v Team Three
• The top two teams ie Team One and Team Two will host the Semi Final matches.

Determining Semi Final Winner

• If the teams are tied at no side in a semi-final, 20 minutes extra time (10 minutes each way) will be played. Procedure will be:-
  - 20 minutes of additional playing time (10 minutes each way)
  - Injury time is added to the 20 minutes
  - One minute break between the final whistle and the extra time
  - Extra time is started with a kick off by the team that kicked off in the first half of the match proper
  - One minute break between extra halves
  - Coaches are not permitted on the field during the break
• If the teams are tied at the end of extra time, the team scoring the most tries in the semi-final will be declared the winner.
• If the teams are still tied after comparing tries scored, the winner will be the team which finished highest in the Round Robin competition table.

Determining the Final Winner

• The final will be played at the ground of the highest qualifying team successful in the semi final play off (eg if Team Three and Team Four win the semi finals, the host will be Team Three).
• If teams are tied at no side in the Final, 20 minutes extra time (10 minutes each way) will be played. Procedure will be:-
  - 20 minutes of additional playing time (10 minutes each way)
  - Injury time is added to the 20 minutes
  - One minute break between the final whistle and the extra time
  - Extra time is started with a kick off by the team that kicked off in the first half of the match proper
  - One minute break between extra halves
  - Coaches are not permitted on the field during the break
• If teams are tied at the end of that extra time, teams will be declared joint winners.