IRB Laws:
The tournament will be played under the laws of the Game of Rugby Football by the International Rugby Football Board, but subject to the amendments detailed below.

Teams & Seeding:
There will be 32 teams in 4 Divisions with 2 Pools of 4 teams in each Division for the Saturday “round robin” games. The allocation to each Division is by seeding all teams from1st – 32nd based upon the standard of the team and previous results in the competition.  The top 8 teams will play in Division 1, the next 8 in Division 2 and so on. Each Division will be split into Pool A, and Pool B. The Tournament Officials decision on this is final and requests from teams for changes to pool allocations and seeding will not be entertained.      

Round Robin Pool Games:
Play on Saturday will be 3 round robin matches between teams in 8 pools.

Points:
For ALL pool games THREE AWARDED POINTS will be given for a win and ONE AWARDED POINT for a draw. ZERO AWARDED POINTS for a loss. There will be NO EXTRA TIME played to determine a winner in the pool games.

No Show:
If, for any reason whatsoever, a team cannot field 10 players within 2 minutes of the referee and the opposing team being on the pitch and ready to commence play then that team will FORFEIT the game and will be assumed  to have lost 0 – 20.

No Coin Toss Up For Pool Games:
The FIRST team listed will kick off from the CAR PARK end of the field.

Coin Toss For Championships:
On Sunday the Captains will be called to the Officials’ Box for the coin toss.

Sunday Championships:
All teams progress to one of the FOUR separate knockout Championships: Cup, Plate, Bowl & Shield based on ranking by the number of Awarded Points. These results and schedules will be made available to all teams by 10pm on Saturday night at Nomad Sports Club, Merville; Howzat  Bar, Makati; Heckle & Jeckle Bar, Makati; Handlebar, Makati.

Ranking:

The selection for the four Championships will be determined as follows. This is detailed in the ranking and relegation chart below. There will be Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and Cup Finals for each Championship:

1. Cup Championship:  Eight teams. The top 3 teams of each pool in Division 1 plus the two top ranked  pool winners from Division 2 will progress to the Cup Championship.
2. Plate Championship:  Eight teams. The two lowest ranked teams from each pool in Division 1 plus the four teams in Division 2 ranked 2nd and 3rd in each pool, together with the two best-ranked teams from each pool in Division 3 will progress to the Plate Championship.
3. Bowl Championship: Eight Teams. The two lowest ranked teams from each pool in Division 2 plus the four teams in Division 3 ranked 2nd and 3rd in each pool, together with the two best-ranked teams from each pool in Division 4 will progress to the Bowl Championship.
4. Shield Championship: Eight Teams. The two lowest ranked teams from each pool in Division 3 plus the six teams in Division 4 ranked 2nd, 3rd and 4th in each pool will progress to the Shield Championship.

Ranking if Points Tied:
If two or more teams have the SAME Awarded Points, ranking will take into account (a) the difference between "Points For" and "Points Against" (b) tries scored (c) the toss of a coin.

Tie During Sunday Championships:
If there is a tie at full time, then the following will apply:

1. Quarter Finals: The teams play a period of “Drop One” extra time. First to score will be the winner.  
2. Semi Finals: One period of extra time of five minutes will be played. The first to score wins (i.e. Golden point). If still tied after extra time, the winner will be decided by playing a period of “Drop One” extra time.
3. Finals: Two periods of extra time of five minutes each. The total additional points scored by BOTH teams accrue to the final score. If teams are still tied, the winner will be decided by playing a period of “Drop One” extra time. The first to score in “Drop One” extra time wins.

Pool Games Times:
13 mins (for Groups 1 & 2) and 11 mins (for Groups 3&4), one way play, no half time. Changeover between games will be one minute

1. Quarter Finals
   • 7 minutes each way for the Cup and Plate and
   • 6 minutes each way for the Bowl and Shield, with a 1-minute half time.
   • Changeover, 2 minutes.
2. Semi-Finals 
   • 10 minutes each way for Cup and Plate and
   • 8 minutes for Bowl and Shield, with a 1-minute interval.
   • Changeover will be 2 minutes.
3. Finals 
   • 12 minutes each way for the Cup and Plate and
   • 10 minutes each way for the Bowl and Shield with a 2-minute half time.
   • Changeover between Finals will be 5 minutes.

Number of Players:
10 players from a maximum squad of 15. All registered before the start of play. It is “rolling” unrestricted subs.

Injuries:
A team that can only field 10 or less players because of injury may borrow players for reserves from other teams but shall submit the names to the Tournament Officials at least one game prior to start of  game. Players can only be transferred from teams seeded at the SAME LEVEL (in the case of the Shield) or LOWER (in the case of Plate, Bowl and Cup).

At least 30 minutes prior to each SEMI-FINAL and FINAL the Captains shall submit a written list of their 15–man squad to the Tournament Officials stating the original team source of each player. Players not complying with Rule 16 shall be changed by the Captains.

• Managers and Captains please note:
  The intent and spirit of the above rules are to avoid the “stacking” of teams in the Championships with the best players from other teams to the disadvantage of the opposing team. Therefore, aggrieved teams will be given the opportunity to cite other teams that are abusing the spirit of the Manila Tens. If the Tournament Officials agrees, the result will be overturned – BE WARNED!
  
  

Blood Bin:
If there is a bleeding or open wound the player must leave the field. The replacement of the player is temporary, but if the wounded player is unable to resume playing within a maximum 10 minutes of actual time (including halftimes, stoppages etc), the replacement becomes permanent.

Scrums:
must consist of 5 players. Second/back row players are allowed to pick up the ball and break from the scrum, provided the ball is under control.

Lineouts:
ALL lineouts must have four jumpers and one person to throw in the ball.

Kick-off or Restart:
If a ball does not go 10 meters, goes into touch on the full or crosses the tryline and becomes a deadball, the receiving side will be awarded a free kick at the center spot.

Sent Off (Red Card):
A player may not take any further part in the tournament.

Team Waiver Form:
Every player in the squad must sign that they understand that none of the Tournament Officials, Nomad Sports Club, Manila 10’s Committee or the PRFU can be held responsible for injuries etc sustained as a result of participation in the Manila 10’s Tournament and associated events. In addition, all players under the age of 18 must complete and sign an Under 18’s Waiver Form as they are competing in a senior level rugby competition. The Tournament Officials, Nomad Sports Club, Manila 10’s Committee and the PRFU will accept no responsibility whatsoever for Teams and Players who ignore this rule.

The Rules of the Tournament:
including their interpretation and any additional rules that may be required from time to time, are at the sole discretion of the Tournament Officials of the 2009 Manila 10’s, whose decision is final and binding.

Tournament Officials:
The designated Tournament Officials for the 2009 Manila10s are:

1. Ross Schirmer (Tournament Director)
2. David Hodges
3. David Reynolds