SERIES REG'S
SERIES STRUCTURE 2021
1. Introduction:
1.1.1 This document defines the Rules and Regulations for the Men’s and Women’s 2019 Super Sevens Series (SSS). The series will be competed over 4 one day tournaments. The results will be accumulated over the 4 tournaments to define the Men’s and Women’s elite SSS champions.
2. Format:
1.2.1 The Men’s Series will consist of 12 Core Teams, plus 4 invitational sides (subject to availability/change) tournament; the Women’s Series will consist of 4 Core Teams, plus 2 invitational sides (subject to availability/change) tournament.
a. Each tournament of the Men’s Series will consist of 4 pools of 4 teams. After the completion of all pool matches the first and second placed teams in each pool will qualify for the Cup Knock-out Competition, the 3rd place teams in each pool will qualify for the Plate Competition, and 4th place teams in each pool will qualify for the Bowl Competition
b. Each tournament of the Women’s Series will consist of 2 pools of 3 teams. After the completion of all the pool matches the first and second placed teams in each pool will qualify for the Cup Knock-out Competition and the 3rd placed teams in each pool will progress directly to the Plate competition final.
c. Each Series tournament will be seeded based on the previous SSS tournament results. The first tournament of the Series will be based on the previous year’s last tournament.
3. Pool Stage Matches:
1.3.1 Play will consist of matches between teams in the same pool on a round-robin basis as specified by the tournament match schedule, see Paragraph 1.7.1. Pool matches will be seven (7) minutes each way with a one (1) minute halftime break. No extra time shall be played during the pool matches.
1.3.2 The results of the pool matches will determine the draw for the Knock-out Cup, Plate and Bowl matches. For the composition of the pools please see Paragraph 1.7.2.
1.3.3 Match points will be awarded for each pool match on the following basis:
3 points for a win
2 points for a draw
1 point for a loss
0 points for a no show, abandonment or Referee disqualification.
1.3.4 Intheeventoftwoormoreteamsbeingequalonmatchpointsafter completion of all pool matchesthe higher placed team will be determined:
a. Thepoints difference: Points Scored minus Points Against
b. The team that scored the highest points total in all pool matches.
c. The team that scored the highest number of tries in all pool matches.
d. The Team that conceded the least tries in all pool matches.
e. If teams are still tied after all the above, the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin between the Managers of the teamsconcerned.
1.3.5 At the end of the pool phase the Teams in each pool are ranked one through to four based on their cumulative match points, and identified respectively as winner, runner up, third and fourth as follows:
4, Knock-Out Stage Matches:
1.4.1 Following the completion of the pool stages there will be the knock-out Final’s Stages. The draw will be based upon the team positions in the pool tables. For details and the draw on the knock-out stages please see Section 1, Paragraph 7.
1.4.2 All Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals will be played on a knock-basis, with only the winning team of each match progressing to the next round.
1.4.3 Match Timings for the Knock-out Cup, Plate and Bowl competitions will be as follows:
a. All will be seven (7) minutes each way with a1-minute half-time break.
b. The willbeSeven(7)minuteseachwaywithathree(3)minutehalf-time break.
c. Thewill be Seven (7) minutes eachway withathree(3)minutehalf-time break.
d. The will be Seven (7) minutes each way with a three (3) minute half-time break.
1.4.4 Intheeventofamatchbeingdrawnattheendofnormaltimefive (5) additional minutes of extra will time will be played. The team that kicked off first in the match will do so again from its initial starting end. There will be a 2-minute water break at the end of normal time.
1.4.5 During the five minutes of extra time the team which scores the first will be declared the winner and play will cease.
1.4.6 In the event of the match still being drawn after the five (5) additional minutes of extra time the winner of the game will be decided by the toss of a coin between the two respective Captain’s.
5. SSS League Scoring:
1.5.1 Over the course of the 4 tournaments the Men’s & Women’s Core Teams will compete in a league, the SSS. Points for the final standings of each tournament will be allocated as follows:
a. Cup Winners – 20 points (men & women)
b. Cup Runners Up – 15 points (men & women)
c. Losing Cup Semi-finalist – 12 points (2 men’s and 2 women’s teams)
d. Losing Cup Quarter-finalist – 10 points (4 men’s teams)
e. Plate Winners – 8 points (men) 12 (women)
f. Plate Runners Up – 6 points (men) 10 (women)
g. Losing Plate Semi-finalist – 4 points (2 men’s teams)
h. Bowl Winner – 3 points (1 men’s teams) N/A 2021
i. Bowl Runners Up – 2 points (1 men’s team) N/A 2021
j. Losing Bowl Semi-finalist – 1 point (2 men’s teams) N/A 2021
1.5.2 Invitational Teams will not qualify for points for the SSS league but would compete for the individual event Trophy and any prize fund “IF” applicable.
a. Any non-core teams at each SSS competition leg will abide by the same rules, regulations and structure as per the tournament rules.
1.5.3 In the event of two or more teams being equal on total league points for the overall league title, the highest placed team will be determined in the following order:
a. The points difference: Total Points Scored (across all 4 tournaments) minus Total Points Against (across all 4 tournaments).
b. The team that has scored the highest points total in all matches (across all 4 tournaments).
c. The team that scored the highest number of tries in all matches (across all 4 tournaments).
d. The team that concedes the least number of tries in all matches (across all 4 tournaments).
e. If the teams are still tied after all the above, the winner will be decided by the toss of a coin between the Managers of the concerned.
6. Playing Kit:
1.6.1 For all matches, should there be a clash of shirt colours the Referee will call both team Captains together to toss a coin with the loser of the toss changingshirts.
7. Match Scheduling and Seeding:
1.7.1 The tournament draw will be decided at the sole discretion of the tournament organisers. However, whenever practicable matches in each pool will be played in the following order:
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2 vs 3; and 1 vs 4
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2 vs 4; and 1 vs 3
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3 vs 4; and 1 vs 2
1.7.2 Knock out Phase matches in the Men’s Tournament will be scheduled based on the final ranking in each pool, the knock-out phase structure will be as follows:
SECTION 2: RULES OF THE TOURNAMENT
2.1.1 The rules of the SSS tournaments, including their interpretation, are matters for the Disputes Committee. The SSS committee will appoint a Disputes Committee to arbitrate on all matters concerning the rules of the tournament. The Disputes Committee will be convened only in the event of an official complaint being registered with the appointed SSS director. In the event of any matters arising that are not covered by the rules, or ambiguity of these rules, the Committee shall make a ruling after interpreting the rules in the best interests of the game. Its decision shall be final, without appeal.
2.1.2 All the matches will be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game of Rugby Football (as published by the IRB including all 7-a-side variations) and the rulings therein, together with all by-laws and directives of both the RFU and the IRB. The EnglishtextoftheIRBHandbookandthisTournamentManualshallbeauthoritativeand final.
2. Variations:
2.2.1 The SSS committee reserve the right, before and during the tournament (under special or unique circumstances) to make or adjust the SSS rules and give direction as to the conduct of the tournament (SSS tournaments only), to participating teams and team members. All such rules, and directions when made will be communicated to all teams and their members these will become binding.
3. Eligibility:
2.3.1 OnlyplayersregisteredontheTeamRegistrationFormthatishandedinandapproved bytheSSSadministrator,priortothecommencementofeachteam’sfirstgameareeligible toplayfortheirnamedteam.
2.3.2 Any player regardless of nationality, once registered on the Team Sheet, will be eligible to play for that team.
2.3.3 Any team fielding an ineligible player will be disqualified from the tournament and will take no further part.
4. Appointment of Officials:
2.4.1 The SSS committee shall appoint relevant Officials/Administrators to:
a. Manage, administer and keep records of results at each Series tournament and shall be responsible for the formulation of the SSS league table.
b. Form a Disputes Committee to arbitrate on all matters concerning the rules and regulations of the SSS. This committee shall consist of the Referees Manager and a minimum of 2 x SSS representatives.
5. The Event organisers:
2.5.1 The Event Organisers (in conjunction with the SSS) agree to:
a. Provide additional match Referees and Touch Judges (to be done in conjunction and consultation with the SSS Referees Manager).
b. To provide a site/venue manager to liaise with the SSS officials to ensure that all other necessary facilities and services as previously advised, are provided to enable the SSS Tournament to operate successfully.
c. Provide an event communicator and announcer. Advertise and market the event and control all ticket sales and entry criteria pre-tournament and on the day.
d. Provide specific requirements as listed on tournament check list document.
6. Request by Officials:
2.6.1 All participating teams and team members will comply with the reasonable requests of the tournament officials/organisers. Any failure to do so could result in a complaint being made to the SSS appointed director, and or disciplinary committee. Subsequent disciplinary action may be taken.
7. Abandonment:
2.7.1 If a team refuses to play or abandons a match in progress without the prior consent of the Referee, that team will forfeit the match. The Disputes Committee will decide upon the further participation of that team in the tournament.
2.7.2 If a match is abandoned, by the Match Referee or tournament officials for any reason:
a. During the first half, the result will be declared a draw, and the score
recorded as 0-0.
b. At halftime or any time in the second half, the result will stand.
8. Declaration of Squads, Teams and Replacements:
2.8.1 Team may register a maximum of Fourteen (14) players, consisting of 13 starting players and 1 reserve. All Core teams MUST register a minimum of 12 players on the registration form provided, with the SSS director (or an alternative administrator that may be appointed) upon arrival, and no later than one (1) hour before their first game of the day. Each squad’s players must sign the Squad Registration Form for the day.
2.8.2 Should a Team lose a player(s) through injury they will be able to bring in their reserve player (14th person) Teams can only add a player who has not been registered to any other team in the same tournament.
2.8.3 Before bringing in the 14th player to their squad. The Team Manager must obtain approval from the SSS Head of Medical Assessment and the Tournament Director. The reserve player must accompany the Team Manager and personally sign the original Team Registration Form in the presence of an SSS director/official before he is eligible to play. In doing so the reserve player will then be able to be selected for matches.
2.8.4 Injuredplayerswhoarereplacedmusthavetheirnamesdeleted from theoriginalTeamRegistrationForm.
2.8.5 The injured/replaced player must take further part in any SSS matches.
2.8.6 During the knock-out stages of the competition, should any team sustain injuries to enough team members that it is not in the interests of player welfare and/or safety to continue to participate in the tournament, the may withdraw from that game, subject to approval from the SSS Head of Medical Assessment and SSS Tournament Director.That team will be deemed the loser of that match.
2.8.7 A player, having been registered in a team (at the individual series tournament) irrespective whether he or she has taken part in the tournament, cannot re-register or make themselves available for another team. Players will not under any circumstances be allowed to swap or exchange or mix and match players between teams participating in the Super Sevens Series Tournament of the day including guest teams.
2.8.8 A player, having been registered in an SSS team (at any individual SSS tournament) shall be able to make one (1) x transfer during the 4 tournaments to one of the other Core SSS teams. We encourage all team mangers to follow this etiquette and guidelines in relation to approaching players from other teams. It is recommended that the initial approach should be made with the Team Manager in conjunction with the player concerned.
9. Competition Guidelines:
2.9.1 Teams must be ready 5 minutes before the commencement of their game. Only players registered on their Team Registration Form from their twelve (12) person squad can take part in each match.
2.9.2 All players are expected to have a basic understanding of the laws of the game of Rugby Union and have physical competency and fitness to play the game.
2.9.3 All players are recommended to obtain personal injury insurance.
10. Substitutions, Replacements and Stoppages:
2.10.1 All substitutions and replacements during a match can be made on a “ROLLING” basis with unlimited changes. A maximum squad of 13 players shall be available for each game. Starting players (7) and (6) reserve players are available for unlimited interchanges. Blood replacements shall be done in accordance with the IRB Laws and the Seven-a-side variations.
2.10.2 There will be no stoppages unless for serious enough injuries which requirethegametobepausedwhilsttheplayer(s)areremovedfromthefieldofplay. This will be decided at the discretion of the Referee in charge of that match, with player safety the paramount concern.
2.10.3 Neither the SSS staff or the Event organisers or any of its voluntary officers accept any liability for injuries sustained during the tournament.
11. Judicial & Disciplinary Committee:
2.11.1 Forpersistentordeliberatefoulsorotherinfringements,theefereemayissueaYellow Card to dismiss a player to the Sin Bin for a period of twominutes.
2.11.2 If a player in the tournament receives 2 yellow cards during the tournament (i.e. the yellow cards could be from different games) they will be deemed to have been given aredcardforatechnicaloffenceandshallbeforcedtomissthenextgame(onegame).
2.11.3 Should the Referee consider the infringement to be more serious a player may be issued a Red Card; the player will be dismissed from the field of play and will take no further part in the tournament. Referees word is final. If a player is cited for foul play the player will be required to attend a hearing held by the tournaments Judicial and DisciplinaryCommittee.AnyhearingwillbeconductedundertheTournamentJudicial Procedure and all outcomes will be upheld during and after thetournament.
2.11.4 AllandanyseriousbreachofdisciplineshallbereportedtotheplayershomeUnionas per normal disciplinary.
2.11.5 The SSS organisers shall appoint their own disciplinary committee for each series tournament. Thiscommittee shall consist of the Referees Manager and a minimum of 2 x SSS representatives. Any disciplinary issues such as touch line or technical area breaches, shall be dealt with severely and are likely to result in the deduction of 1 or more league points from the team that committed the offence.
Notes:
1. The SSS team committee would respectfully ask all participating teams and event organisers to consider and understand that the SSS is being run and administered by volunteers who are giving up their time and effort for free. All rules, regulations and decisions are and have been made with the very best intentions and with the game of Rugby at heart.
2. Our intention is to run the Super Sevens Series as a meaningful competition. A tournament that is run and organised as sensibly and as economically as possible with the Rugby ethos at heart. For obvious reasons we need to use the minimum amount of manpower and resources necessary, but at the same time run the competition as professionally as possible under these circumstances.