9′s International Tournament on May 19th

The majority of the USARL teams have confirmed their interest to participate in the tournament. An invitation has been extended to other international and domestic Rugby teams to participate in what should be a first class event for both players and spectators. The entrance fee is $350 per team with half the proceeds allocated as prize money to the two finalist teams. Interested teams should contact Lawrence Almagno no later than April 15.

The USARL International 9’s, in only its second year in existence, will see the event played in Rhode Island after it was announced that the Philadelphia Fights home field will be unavailable for most of the 2012 season.

The Rebellion has already begun working with the Rhode Island Sports Commission to support the event, leading to the use of Tucker Field in Cumberland, RI. The 2,000 seat stadium is just minutes from downtown Providence and is well equipped to support a number of teams as well as concessions for what expects to be a capacity crowd.

Not slowing down from an incredible inaugural season last year, the Rebellion are capitalizing on media interest gained after being broadcast on the hit TV show “Man vs Food”, WPRO’s hit radio show “Dan Yorke” in addition to a coveted appearance on the front page of the Providence Journal. Plans are now underway with local radio, newspapers and news communities that will quickly reach to local residents in the coming months.

The Sheraton Providence is supporting the event by offering room rates for participating teams at $79 per night with pickup available to and from the Airport and Train Station. A bus will also be available to take teams to Tucker Field as well the post match function at Ladder 133 in Providence.

More details to follow soon.

About the USARL 9’s

Rugby league nines (or simply nines) is a version of rugby league football played with nine players on each side. The game is substantially the same as full rugby league (13 a side), with some differences in rules and shorter games. Nines is usually played in festivals, as its shorter game play allows for a tournament to be completed in a day or over a single weekend. It has become more popular than the similar rugby league sevens (rugby league with seven players to a side), with many tournaments using nines to distinguish it from rugby union sevens.

The same as rugby league laws with the following exceptions.

• Each team is allowed a squad of up to fifteen players, with no more than nine players on the field at any time. Unlimited substitutions are allowed from a named bench of four players.
• The match lasts for 20 minutes, divided into two halves of 9 minutes. 2 minute interval allowing for the teams to change ends.
• Each half starts with a place kick.
• Scrums consist of no more than 5 forwards, with a maximum 3 in the front row and 2 in the second row. When the ball is in the scrum no more than 4 players from each team shall act as backs. The ball must emerge from behind the feet of the second row.
• Conversions after a successful try take the form of drop kicks. Players from the team that has conceded the score do not have to retire behind the try line but must not interfere with any conversion attempt.
• When points have been scored the team against which points have been scored will receive a drop kick from the team that scored (must travel at least 10 meters).