Choose the referee's decision

Work through eight independent match situations. Choose one answer for each, then read the explanation and its rule reference.

Use World Rugby’s Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026, including the Sevens variations, throughout. The scenarios assume adult Sevens without additional competition-specific modifications. Youth adaptations and individual tournament regulations are outside this quiz’s scope. This is a draft for review.

The named edition is verified from the official 2026 lawbook. World Rugby confirms that the ordinary laws apply subject to its Sevens variations.

Review your decisions

For further practice, revisit kick-offs and restarts, yellow cards and scoring rules. For a teaching session, use the separate lesson plan and printable worksheet.

Rules used

Make the call

Choose a ruling for each situation, then check your answers.

1. Blue scores a drop goal with time remaining. Which team must take the restart?
Answer and explanation

Blue, because it scored the points.

Sevens Law 12.4 makes the scoring team restart with a drop-kick. Awarding the restart to Red would apply the ordinary fifteen-a-side rule instead.

Rule basis: World Rugby · Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026 — Sevens Law 12 · Adult Sevens kick-offs and restarts under the selected 2026 ruleset; no competition-specific modifications.

2. Blue's halfway restart goes directly into touch without touching anyone. What sanction applies?
Answer and explanation

A free-kick to Red.

Sevens Law 12.8 specifies a free-kick. The ordinary-law menu of restart options, including a lineout, does not apply.

Rule basis: World Rugby · Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026 — Sevens Law 12 · Adult Sevens kick-offs and restarts under the selected 2026 ruleset; no competition-specific modifications.

3. A halfway restart enters Red's in-goal untouched. Red immediately grounds it. What should be awarded?
Answer and explanation

A free-kick to Red.

Sevens Law 12.9 covers this restart and immediate grounding. A 22-metre drop-out for other attacking balls made dead in-goal does not replace this specific restart sanction.

Rule basis: World Rugby · Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026 — Sevens Law 12 · Adult Sevens kick-offs and restarts under the selected 2026 ruleset; no competition-specific modifications.

4. A player receives their first yellow card of the match. The team manager suggests a ten-minute suspension. What suspension does the Sevens variation specify?
Answer and explanation

Two minutes.

Sevens Law 9.29 specifies two minutes. Ten minutes is the ordinary-law duration replaced by this variation; the sanction is not defined by the half-time boundary.

Rule basis: World Rugby · Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026 — Sevens Law 9 · Adult Sevens on-field yellow-card suspension and a subsequent yellow-card offence in the same match. Post-match disciplinary sanctions are outside scope.

5. A player returns after a yellow-card suspension and later commits another offence that the referee judges worthy of a yellow card in the same match. What must happen?
Answer and explanation

The player is sent off.

Sevens Law 9.29 requires a sending-off for a subsequent yellow-card offence. Completing the first suspension does not reset the player's disciplinary record within that match.

Rule basis: World Rugby · Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026 — Sevens Law 9 · Adult Sevens on-field yellow-card suspension and a subsequent yellow-card offence in the same match. Post-match disciplinary sanctions are outside scope.

6. A try is awarded. With no stoppage or opponent infringement, the kicker takes a conversion after 35 seconds of playing time and sends it between the posts. What is the decision?
Answer and explanation

Disallow it because the Sevens limit expired.

Sevens Law 8.8(c) allows 30 seconds from the try award. The successful flight does not cure the delay; the ordinary 60-second allowance is replaced.

Rule basis: World Rugby · Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026 — Sevens Law 8 · Adult Sevens conversion procedure under the selected 2026 ruleset.

7. As Blue prepares a conversion, Red waits on its own try line, planning to charge. Where should Red assemble instead?
Answer and explanation

Close to Red's own 10-metre line.

Sevens Law 8.14 requires opponents to assemble immediately near their own 10-metre line. Waiting at the try line to charge uses the ordinary conversion procedure.

Rule basis: World Rugby · Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026 — Sevens Law 8 · Adult Sevens conversion procedure under the selected 2026 ruleset.

8. The referee awards Blue a penalty try after identifying the defender whose foul play prevented a probable try. Which outcome is required?
Answer and explanation

Seven points, no conversion and a yellow card or sending-off.

Laws 8.1(c) and 8.3 award seven points without a conversion and require the guilty player to be yellow-carded or sent off. It is not an ordinary five-point try with a kick to follow.

Rule basis: World Rugby · Laws of the Game Rugby Union 2026 — Law 8 · Penalty-try scoring and associated player sanction in adult Sevens; these provisions apply alongside the Sevens variations.

Rule editions and sources