Rules in place to decide scramble for semifinals

Five of the six teams still in the hunt for semifinal spots in the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union's Tui Cup premier division competition are likely to have the rule book as a constant companion as they prepare for the last round of qualifying games.

Greytown (17 points), Martinborough (16), Gladstone (15), East Coast (15) and Pioneer (13) all have a chance of earning a home semifinal while Eketahuna (10) are an outside chance of making the top four.

Home advantage in the semis will go to the two sides earning the most accumulated points after the qualifying games.

Should any teams be tied on competition points the highest seed will be dictated in order by this criteria: highest number of wins in results of games played between the two teams in the current season; points for and against differential for the season; number of wins for the season; number of tries scored over the season; number of bonus points; and by toss of a coin - at the union rooms on the first working day after the last qualifying game.

The WBRFU have also confirmed the rules for the Tui Cup semifinals and final.

If teams are tied at the end of a semifinal match, the winner will be determined in order by this criteria: the team which is leading after a further 10 minutes of extra time each way is played; the team scoring the most tries in the match (this includes any tries in extra time); the winner of any round-robin match/matches played over the season between the two teams; the team having the higher points differential in all competition games up to the semifinal; the team scoring the most number of tries in the season including those scored in the semi and extra time; and the toss of a coin - at the end of the game made in front of the referee.

In the event of teams being level pegging at the end of the grand final the winner will be determined in order by this criteria: after the playing of an extra 10 minutes each way, the team scoring the most tries in the match (including any in extra time); the winner of any round robin match/matches played over the season between the two teams; the team having the higher points differential in round-robin games; and the team scoring the most number of tries in the competition, including tries scored in semis and final (including those coming in extra time).

If teams are tied at the end of the grand final and the winner is unable to be determined by applying any of the above criteria the teams will be joint winners.

The draw for Saturday is: Greytown v Pioneer, Martinborough v Gladstone, Eketahuna v Carterton, East Coast v Bush Sports.