Law 5: Time

No longer than 80 minutes, in two halves of not more than 40 minutes plus time lost; extra-time only in a knock-out draw.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.1 · recall

Half-time does not exceed 15 minutes, as the match organiser decides.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.2 · recall

Organiser first, then the teams by agreement, then the referee.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.3 · applied

The referee consults the assistant referees, and others only if they cannot help.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.4 · applied

Once the ball is dead the referee may allow time for replacements, clothing, a boot-lace or fetching the ball.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.6 · recall

A two-minute water break, midway through the half, after a score or with the ball dead near half-way.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.9 · recall

The referee has the power to end or suspend the match at any time if it would be unsafe to continue.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.10 · recall

Up to one minute for an injury; more if a seriously injured player has to be removed from the playing area.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.5a · applied

1, 2, 15 and 40 minutes.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.1-2, 5.5, 5.9 · recall

The doubt comes first, then the two assistants, then anyone else as a last resort.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.4 · recall

A half ends when the ball becomes dead after time has expired, unless one of the listed exceptions applies.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.7 · recall

A half does not end when the referee awards a free-kick or penalty.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.7b · applied

A penalty kicked for touch that goes dead without being tapped or touching a player does not end the half.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.7c · applied

If a try has been scored, the referee allows time for the conversion.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.7d · recall

The team says "no kick" to the referee after the try is awarded.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.8a · recall

If the conversion is attempted, time is taken from the strike on the ball; a restart kick follows if time has not elapsed.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.8b-c · recall

When play was stopped for player safety, the half goes on and play restarts with a scrum.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.7e · applied

A scrum awarded before time expired is completed; the half ends when the ball next becomes dead.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.7a · applied

Time is allowed for the conversion before the half ends.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.7d · recall

Declining or attempting before time elapses leads to a restart kick.

Source: World Rugby Laws 2026, Law 5.8 · recall