 After the group rounds the team that finishes in 1st place will progress automatically into the Cup knockouts, with a home fixture in week 8. The 2nd and 3rd place teams will have a play-off in week 7, to determine who progresses into the Cup or Plate. The winner of the play-off will progress into the Cup knockouts, the loser into the Plate knockouts, but with a home knockout round 1 fixture. The 4th place team will progress directly into the Plate knockout round 1 in week 8, with an away draw. After the 1st Knockout Round, the home away draw will be random. Bowl - Shield (Groups 17-32) After the group rounds the team that finishes in 1st place will progress automatically into the Bowl knockouts, with a home fixture in week 8. The 2nd and 3rd place teams will have a play-off in week 7, to determine who progresses into the Bowl or Shield. The winner of the play-off will progress into the Bowl knockouts, the loser into the Shield knockouts, but with a home knockout round 1 fixture. The 4th place team will progress directly into the Shield knockout round 1 in week 8, with an away draw. After the 1st Knockout Round, the home and away draw will be random. NB: The teams who progress automatically into the 1st knockout round will have a free-play fixture arranged for them in Week 7, with no consequence. |
