Rugby World Cup ins and outs - the rules and the refs

Jonny Wilkinson, playing in the English alternate jersey, which will be used at this World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

1 Neutral referees and assistants will be appointed for all matches, but what about the television match official (TMO)?

Answer: Four television match officials - including one Australian and one South African but no New Zealander - have been appointed. They will preside over all matches.

2 How many referees have been appointed?

Answer: Ten referees have been named alongside two reserves, who are also on the panel of seven specialist assistant referees.

3 Jonathan Kaplan and Steve Walsh will be officiating at their fourth Rugby World Cup (a record), but is Walsh now regarded as an Australian and seen as neutral as far as All Blacks games are concerned?

Answer: Yes.

4 In many matches these days, too much time is wasted by halfbacks putting the ball into the scrum. Is there any provision for referees to add time, or is the match timing the sole responsibility of an outside "hooter blower" who signals the end of each half?

Answer: The timing is overseen by the TMO. Referees can, however, signal to "stop the clock" in certain circumstances.

5 Will bonus points be awarded in the pool matches?

Answer: Yes. One point for teams scoring four or more tries and one for teams finishing within seven points of the winner. This is on top of the four points for a win, two for a draw and none for a loss.

6 If two teams finish equal on points (including bonus points) after pool play, how will they be separated?

Answer: Firstly, the team who won the match between the two teams. If that was drawn, then points differential.

7 In knockout matches, how will the winner be found if the game is drawn at 80 minutes?

Answer: After a five-minute break, 10 minutes each way will be played. If the teams are still equal, another five-minute break, then a maximum of 10 further minutes, with the first team to score declared the winner. If there's no score in "sudden death", five players from each team will take part in a "kick-off".

8 In the past, some teams finishing third in their pool have progressed. What happens this time?

Answer: Only the top two in each of the four pools go through to the quarter-finals. The incentive to finish third is still there, however, as those four teams will be guaranteed a place at RWC 2015.

9 If there is a clash of colours, which team will be required to wear an alternate strip?

Answer: The team decreed as the "away" team at the time the pool draw was made and in subsequent match-ups for the knockout phase. As an example, England are the away team for their opening match with Argentina and will wear their alternate strip.

10 Will teams other than the All Blacks be permitted to perform a haka before their matches?

Answer: No reason why not.

11 How many ball boys/girls will be used and how were they selected?

Answer: A total of 147 have been selected by their provincial unions. In Auckland, the local Eden club has been responsible for finding the ball boys/girls.

12 How many volunteers have been enlisted?

Answer: 5500.

13 What ball will be used?

Answer: Gilbert.

14 How many countries attempted to qualify?

Answer: Between April 2008 and July 2010, 184 matches involving 86 nations played qualifying matches before the final 20 teams were found.

15 Of the 16 teams who played the inaugural RWC in New Zealand in 1987, how many are not here this time?

Answer: Only Zimbabwe. Georgia, Namibia, Russia, Samoa and S Africa are playing a RWC here the first time.