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Law 5 Time

Law 5 Time

1. How long can a match last?
Answer: 80 minutes, plus lost time in each half, unless the match organiser has authorised extra time in the case of a draw.

  • DSLV: matches played in NZ at U19 level and below last no longer than 70 minutes playing time, 35 minutes playing time each half, however Game On format applies.

2. How long is halftime?
Answer: No more than 15 minutes.

3. May a match organiser or the teams agree to shorten the length of a match?
Answer: Yes and Game On provisions apply.

4. Who keeps the time?
Answer: The referee or someone designated by the referee. If there is doubt as to the correct time, the referee consults either or both ARs, and can consult others if the ARs cannot help.

5. What may the referee stop play and allow time for?
Answer: A. injury for up to 1 minute (if a player is seriously injured the referee has discretion to allow more time), B. consultation with other officials.

6. Once the ball is dead, what the referee allow time for?
Answer: A. replacement of players, B. replacing or repairing players’ clothing, C. re-tying a boot lace, D. retrieving the ball

7. When does a half end?
Answer: When the ball becomes dead after time has expired, unless: A. a scrum, lineout or restart kick awarded before time expired has not been completed, B. the referee awards a penalty or free-kick (the half continues), C. a penalty is kicked to touch without first being tapped (the lineout is taken), D. a try has been scored (time is allowed for the conversion), E. play was stopped for player safety (play restarts with a scrum).

8. May a team take a conversion or decline to take a conversion or after a try?
Answer: Yes provided A. the decision to decline the conversion is relayed by the try scorer to the referee, B. the conversion is attempted or declined before time elapses, C. time is taken from then strike on the ball

9. When weather conditions are exceptionally hot or humid, may the referee allow for a water break?
Answer: Yes, a two-minute break, ideally midway through the half, after a score or when the ball is dead near the halfway line.

10. May the referee end or suspend the match at any time?
Answer: Yes, if the referee deems it would be unsafe to continue.