AT SIXES AND SEVENS OVER THE NINES?:
RULES:
* Nine a side and nine-minute halves
* Each team has 14 nominated players per match, with five on the bench on an unlimited interchange
* Five tackles per set
* Four points for a try unless scored in the "bonus zone" - between the posts - which is five
* Conversions, penalty kicks and kick-offs are made by drop kick
* In the event of a draw, the winner will be decided by "golden try" in five minutes of extra time in pool games. In finals, the game will continue until a try is scored
* Scrums, comprising just five players, only formed after a double knock-on or any other mutual infringement
* Three-minute sin bin
* A 25-second shot-clock starts after a try. If the conversion is not taken within that time, it will not count
* The try-scoring team kicks off
* Line dropouts must be taken within 20 seconds of the referee awarding them or a penalty will be awarded
FORMAT:
* Sixteen teams are in four pools (Rangitoto, Waiheke, Piha, Hunua Ranges)
* First stage is round robin with each team playing three games, one against each rival in their pool
* Top two teams in each pool qualify for the sudden-death quarter-finals
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