If a team fails to have nine players at the start of a game, what is the result?

When a team does not have nine players ready to participate at the start of the game, the rules stipulate that the game cannot proceed under normal circumstances. In this scenario, the appropriate outcome is that the opposing team is awarded a win by forfeit. This ensures that there is a uniform standard across the sport that emphasizes the necessity of fielding a complete team for a game to commence.

Posing the situation as a forfeit maintains fairness and upholds the integrity of competition, as all teams are expected to meet player requirements to compete. This outcome reflects the commitment to the rules of play, ensuring that every team is held accountable for fielding the appropriate number of players.

Options suggesting that the game would be postponed, that it could start with available players, or that a coach would face ejection do not align with the established rules governing player availability at game time. Thus, the correct understanding is that failing to field a complete team results in a forfeit, awarding the game to the opposing side.