OFFICIAL TOURNAMENT BY-LAWS – 2026
1. General Overview
1.1 The Fiji Hamilton Sevens Tournament (“the Tournament”) is governed by:
The World Rugby Laws of the Game – Sevens Variations
The regulations and policies of New Zealand Rugby (NZR)
Relevant Provincial Union regulations
These Tournament By-Laws
1.2 The Fiji Hamilton Sevens Committee is responsible for the organisation, management, and administration of the Tournament.
1.3 The Committee will appoint all necessary officials, including but not limited to:
Tournament Director
Field Manager
Referees and Touch Judges
Timekeepers and Scorers
Medical Personnel
1.4 The Tournament Director has final authority on all matters not expressly covered by these By-Laws.
2. Teams & Player Eligibility
2.1 Registration
Teams must complete Team Registration and Player Registration via
www.fijihamiltonsevensnz.com
All registration information must be accurate and complete.
2.2 Payment Deadline
Team entry fees must be paid in full no later than thirty (30) days prior to tournament commencement.
2.3 Squad Limits
Maximum squad size: sixteen (16) players
A maximum of twelve (12) players may participate in any one match.
2.4 Final Team List
Final squads must be submitted no later than seventy-two (72) hours before the tournament begins.
Any changes after this deadline require written approval from the Tournament Director.
2.5 Professional Player Limitation
Each team may register and field a maximum of two (2) professional players.
A professional player is defined as any player currently contracted, including extended squad contracts, to a national HSBC World Rugby Sevens programme for the 2025/2026 season, regardless of match selection or injury status.
All professional players must be declared at registration.
Failure to disclose professional status may result in:
Match forfeiture
Disqualification from the Tournament
Forfeiture of prize money
2.6 International Teams
All international team entries are subject to approval by the Fiji Hamilton Sevens Committee.
2.7 Unregistered or Ineligible Players
Teams fielding unregistered or ineligible players will be disqualified immediately.
2.8 Withdrawals
Withdrawal within twenty (20) days of the tournament: 50% of entry fee forfeited
Withdrawal within ten (10) days of the tournament: no refund
2.9 Players Under 18
Written parental or guardian consent or NZR approval is required.
Documentation must be retained by the Team Manager.
3. Game Rules
3.1 A maximum of seven (7) players per team may be on the field at any time.
3.2 Team sheets must be submitted to the Control Room thirty (30) minutes before kickoff.
3.3 Teams must report to the Field Manager at least five (5) minutes before kickoff.
3.4 Each team must supply one (1) rugby ball per match and may be required to provide a touchline official.
3.5 Coin tosses will be conducted prior to teams entering the field.
3.6 Halftime shall be two (2) minutes. Conversion kicks may be completed at the referee’s discretion.
3.7 Matches conclude upon the referee’s whistle following the siren or bell.
4. Injuries & Match Abandonment
4.1 The referee may stop play for up to one (1) minute to allow treatment of an injured player.
4.2 Play may continue while treatment is administered if deemed safe.
4.3 In cases of serious injury, time will be allowed for safe removal from the field.
4.4 Match result determination:
If abandoned after halftime, the score at that time will stand.
If abandoned before halftime, the match will be declared a draw.
4.5 The referee may abandon a match if continuing play poses a safety risk.
4.6 The organising committee accepts no liability for injury, illness, or death occurring before, during, or after the tournament. Medical personnel will be present on site.
5. Substitutions
5.1 Unlimited rolling substitutions are permitted.
5.2 All substitutions must be made through the Field Officials.
5.3 Only the twelve (12) nominated players are eligible to play in each match.
5.4 Substitutions may only involve players from the original sixteen (16) registered squad members.
5.5 A minimum of five (5) players is required to start or continue a match.
A team reduced below five players will forfeit the match.
5.6 Borrowing players from other teams is strictly prohibited.
6. Foul Play & Discipline
6.1 Yellow Card
Two (2) minute suspension in the sin bin.
6.2 Second Yellow Card
Automatically becomes a Red Card.
6.3 Red Card
Immediate removal from the match.
Automatic one-match suspension, subject to review by the Match Judiciary Committee.
7. Judicial Matters & Disputes
7.1 Teams refusing to play or abandoning matches may face:
Warnings
Loss of match or competition points
Monetary fines
Disqualification
7.2 Protests must be lodged in writing within fifteen (15) minutes of match completion to the Game Day Manager.
7.3 Disputes will be adjudicated by the Tournament Director, Field Manager, and referee.
Their decision is final.
8. Prize Money & Awards
8.1 Trophies and prize money will be presented at Hamilton Old Boys Club following the Cup Final.
8.2 Prize money will be paid directly to a nominated team bank account provided by the Team Manager or Head Coach.
8.3 Bank account details must be submitted no later than five (5) days prior to tournament commencement.
8.4 The Fiji Hamilton Sevens Committee accepts no responsibility for internal team distribution of prize money.
9. Privacy & Consent
The Fiji Hamilton Sevens NZ collects personal information through registration forms for administrative, insurance, injury management, statistical, and promotional purposes.
Information may be shared with rugby organisations, Provincial Unions, and Super Rugby clubs where required.
Participants have the right to access and correct their personal information under the Privacy Act 2020.
10. Acceptance of Terms
By registering and participating in the Tournament, all teams, players, and officials agree to comply with:
These By-Laws
New Zealand Rugby regulations
World Rugby Laws of the Game