Tournament Rules

Rule 1

Up to 14 players to participate per team, with all players registered through Rugby Xplorer.

Rule 2

All Teams must have a representative check in with the Tournament Director, Matt Barlow, located at the desk in front or on the second floor of the Club House, half an hour before the team’s first match confirming the registration of all players.

Rule 3

The tournament will be played under the rules of and in accordance with the World Rugby By Laws, Regulations and Laws of the Game of Rugby Union, with variations under the standard set of laws regarding 7’s rugby and as adapted thereunder.

Rule 4

The men’s teams are grouped into Men’s Premier, Men’s Open and Men’s Supa Social Competitions. The women’s teams are grouped into Women’s Premier and Women’s Open competitions. Junior competitions are grouped by age and gender.

Rule 5

Play will follow the draw provided on the day of the tournament. The tournament reserves the right to change the draw as necessary to accommodate the event.

Rule 6

Three points will be awarded for a win, two points for a draw and one point for a loss. No points will be awarded for a forfeiting team. No extra time to determine the winner will be played in pool games.

Rule 7

At the end of the draw games if two or more teams in any pool have the same number of points awarded to them under rule 6 the winner shall be decided by:

• The winner of the match between the two teams in the rounds
• The team with the better points differential overall
• Coin toss

Rule 8

The referee’s score, once communicated to the tournament director at the end of the game, is final.

Rule 9

In the case of a tie in any of the games in the Final games, then extra time will be in periods of five minutes when teams will change ends without an interval. Kick off by coin toss – Golden Point.

Rule 10

The duration of all games except the finals will be seven minutes each way, with a one minute interval.

Rule 11

The duration of the Finals will be 7 minutes each way with a two minute interval.

Rule 12

A team may change its players at any time during the game with acknowledgement of the referee. Unlimited interchange must be made within ten metres of the half-way line. Unlimited interchange is allowed between any of up to 14 nominated players listed on registration sheet. The players must be identified to the officials and remain in designated area. The registration sheet is to be completed and handed to tournament control prior to the team’s first game of the tournament.

Rule 13

A team which can field only seven or fewer than seven players because of injuries may borrow players or reserves from other teams which have played in the lower level competition and which have already been eliminated from the Tournament only on approval from the Tournament Director. A team which borrows a player and uses him/her as a replacement must retain that player in the squad for the rest of the Tournament. A team which borrows a player or players must take the field with all their own available and uninjured players before using the replacement players. The Tournament Director has the final decision in all matters of substitution.

Rule 14

Tournament Director must be notified of all replacement players.

Rule 15

A Player sent off by a referee. Refer to Appendix No 1.

Rule 16

Touch judges will be supplied by on field playing teams if required throughout the competition.

Rule 17

The rules of the Tournament, including their interpretation and any additional Rules, are matters solely for the organisers of the Byron Bay Rugby Sevens Tournament, whose decisions will be final.

Rules updated: 16-Oct-2025