The International Rugby League Board has announced that matches in the Women\u2019s World Cup, where Wales will be competing in a group against England, Samoa and hosts Australia, will be just 70 minutes long.<\/p>\n
This is to keep it to the standard that is used down under in Australia\u2019s\u00a0NRLW and Women\u2019s Pacific Championships matches.<\/p>\n
The IRL Board endorsed a proposal from tournament hosts, the Australian Rugby League Commission, to adopt the 2026 NRL and NRLW Premiership Rules and Interpretations as RLWC2026 Laws and Interpretations. \u00a0<\/p>\n
This will enable RLWC2026 to seamlessly integrate key technology used in the NRL and NRLW, including the Video Review Bunker, Captain\u2019s Challenge and Shot Clocks for scrums, goal line dropouts and goal kicks.<\/p>\n
The Match Review and Judiciary process, HIA policy and on-field rules for trainers will be the same as those in place for the NRL and NRLW.<\/p>\n
Adopting the policies of the tournament hosts for disciplinary matters and head injuries has been standard practice at previous World Cups.<\/p>\n
Golden Point will be used for all RLWC2026 Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s matches if needed to ensure a winner, which is crucial under the draw structure for the tournament.<\/p>\n
The competition-specific rules for RLWC26 will ensure consistency and familiarity for fans, broadcasters and key tournament stakeholders, as well as coaches and players \u2013 the majority of whom are expected to be drawn from the NRL and NRLW.<\/p>\n
In addition, seven of the 10 Men\u2019s teams \u2013 Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga \u2013 and five of the eight Women\u2019s teams \u2013 Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa \u2013 play under NRL\/NRLW interpretations during the Pacific Championships.<\/p>\n
Lebanon Men, whose coach Michael Cheika is on the coaching staff of Sydney Roosters, will also comprise mostly of Southern Hemisphere-based players after the decision not to send any domestic players due to the impact of events in Lebanon since the last World Cup.<\/p>\n
Newly appointed England coach Brian McDermott is on the coaching staff of Gold Coast Titans, while FFRXIII Director of Rugby Trent Robinson is the head coach of Sydney Roosters.<\/p>\n
RLWC2026 officials are working closely with the governing bodies of all nations to ensure clear comprehension of the rules and interpretations in the lead up to the tournament.<\/p>\n