Sevens - ordinary and variations

Refereeing Sevens

Sevens happen from time to time. The International Rugby Board (IRB) has variations for Sevens rugby - and there tend to be local variations as well. We are going to stick to the IRB's variations but some of the situations require a knowledge of ordinary Laws, most of which apply to Sevens. Let's see how well you do on a little test.

You will find the variations in the Law Book, which is on our site, and we shall provide answers. But do the refereeing first - comfortably in private with nobody to assess you, and then assess yourself.

The teams playing are the Classic Novelists and the So-Called Discoverers, who used to be simply the Discoverers but have decided to become politically correct.

In each of the following there is a decision for you to make or not to make. If you are going to blow your whistle, say what you are going to give. If you are going to let play go on, say: Play goes on.

It's so easy.

1. Chris Columbus, the So-Called Discoverers scrum-half, puts the ball into the scrum. As it leaves his hand, Harry James, the Classic Novelists scrumhalf, puts his head into the scrum between his hooker and the tighthead prop. They shove the Classic Novelists away and win the ball.

2. Jimmy Cook, the So-Called Discoverers fly-half, kicks off to start the match. The kick is deep, rolls into the Classic Novelists in-goal and over the dead-ball line.

3. Chris Columbus, the So-Called Discoverers scrum-half, puts the ball into the scrum. As it hits the ground, Davey Lawrence, the Classic Novelists hooker, kicks the ball forward so that it flies out of the scrum. Harry James, the Classic Novelists scrum-half, pounces on it.

4. Davey Lawrence, the Classic Novelists hooker, throws in at a line-out. The Classic Novelists have two players in the line-out, the So-Called Discoverers only Bart Diaz. Remarkably Diaz, stationed between the two Classic Novelists players, catches the ball.

5. George Vancouver, the So-Called Discoverers forward, is substituted by Leif Ericson. Ericson is then injured. Vancouver comes back onto the field to take his place.

6. George Vancouver, the So-Called Discoverers forward, is substituted by Leif Ericson. Ericson then has a bleeding wound which needs attention. Vancouver comes back onto the field to take his place.

7. The Classic Novelists make substitutions. They take off Tommy Hardy, Charlie Dickens and Graham Greene. In their place they send on Jimmy Joyce, Joe Conrad and Bill Faulkner. Faulkner is hurt and the Classic Novelists send on Danny Defoe to take his place.

8. Jimmy Cook, the So-Called Discoverers fly-half, kicks off after a Classic Novelists score. Before the ball has travelled ten metres, Marco Polo, the So-Called Discoverers forward, catches the ball.

9. Bill Thackerey, the Classic Novelists fly-half, kicks off. Before the ball travels 10 metres, Abel Tasman, the So-Called Discoverers forward, steps forward and attempts to catch the ball, knocking it on.

10. There is little time left. The So-Called Discoverers are leading 16-14 when you penalise them. Bill Thackerey, the Classic Novelists flyhalf, tells you that he is going to kick at goal. 35 seconds later he still has not kicked.

To find the answers, click here.