Tournament rules

Tournament Structure

The 12 teams competing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2006 shall be allocated to four pools of three.

Day 1

August 31, 2006

Pool Matches

Day 2

September 4, 2006

Pool Matches

Day 3

September 8, 2006

Pool Matches

Day 4

September 12, 2006

Semi-finals

Day 5

September 16, 2006

Ranking Positions 7-12

Day 6

September 17, 2006

Finals / Ranking Positions

1-6

Teams will be seeded into pools on the following basis:

· Performances in the 2002 Women’s Rugby World Cup

· Performances in International Competitions

· Performances in test matches between 2002 - 2005

Pool Matches will be played on the following basis:

Day 1

Match No.

Match No.

1

Pool A 1 v Pool D 5

4

Pool B 2 v Pool C 6

2

Pool A 8 v Pool D 12

5

Pool B 7 v Pool C 11

3

Pool A 9 v Pool D 4

6

Pool B 10 v Pool C 3

Day 2

Match No.

Match No.

7

Pool A 1 v Pool D 12

10

Pool B 2 v Pool C 11

8

Pool A 8 v Pool D 4

11

Pool B 7 v Pool C 3

9

Pool A 9 v Pool D 5

12

Pool B 10 v Pool C 6

Day 3

Match No.

Match No.

13

Pool A 1 v Pool D 4

16

Pool B 2 v Pool C 3

14

Pool A 8 v Pool D 5

17

Pool B 7 v Pool C 6

15

Pool A 9 v Pool D 12

18

Pool B 10 v Pool C 11

Pool Matches will be played across the pools and match points will be awarded
on the following basis:

Win 4 points

Draw 2 points

Loss 0 points

Bonus points will be awarded in the pool matches for teams scoring 4 tries or
more and to teams who lose by 7 points or less.

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

After the completion of the pool Matches, teams in the divisions shall be ranked 1-12 on the basis of the most match points.

In the event of two teams being equal on match points for any position then such position shall be determined by the winner of the Match between the two teams.

If this does not produce a result or the two teams did not meet, then the ranking shall be produced on the following basis:

a) Best differential between points scored for and points scored against. If this does not produce a result then

b) Best differential between tries scored for and against. If this does not produce a result then

c) Most points scored. If this does not produce a result then

d) Most tries scored. If this does not produce a result then

e) Toss of a coin.

In the event of more than two teams being equal on points then points a) – e) shall be used.

Knock Out Matches

The knock out matches shall be drawn on the following basis:

Match

19

10th

V

11th

20

9th

V

12th

21

6th

V

7th

22

5th

V

8th

23

2nd

V

3rd

24

1st

V

4th

The second knock out round of matches will be played in the following basis:

Match

25

Loser Match 20

V

Loser Match 19 for 11 / 12 place

26

Winner Match 20

V

Winner Match 19 for 9 / 10 place

27

Loser Match 22

V

Loser Match 21 for 7 / 8 place

28

Winner Match 22

V

Winner Match 21 for 5 / 6 place

29

Loser Match 24

V

Loser Match 23 for 3 / 4 place

30

Winner Match 24

V

Winner Match 23 for 1 / 2 place

Draw after no side in the knock out rounds

If after no side the teams have tied, then the winner shall be determined by the following method:

a) After an interval of 5 minutes, extra time of 10 minutes each way shall be played (with an interval of 5 minutes). If no winner can be declared then,

b) A Kicking Competition between the two team

The rules of the Kicking Competition can be found in Appendix 6

i. The kicks at goal should be part of the Match and be the responsibility of the referee. The touch judges and Match commissioner may help the referee. Before the kicks at goal, the two captains shall toss a coin to decide which goal posts and toss again to decide who will kick first.