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How the new golden-point law ruined what could have been a thrilling final round of Super Rugby Aotearoa
Super Rugby Aotearoa’s new golden point rule introduced at the start of the 2020 competition was supposed to generate more excitement but the opposite has arguably been the case this season.
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Two matches in this year’s tournament – both on the same weekend – finished up even-stevens after 80 minutes. The first game saw Chiefs No 15 Damian McKenzie kick a penalty after five minutes of extra play to hand a loss to the Highlanders while David Havili slotted a drop goal for the Crusaders to sink the Hurricanes barely sixty seconds into golden-point time.
While those six minutes of extra-time were intense, they resulted in the competition’s two top sides pulling away at the top of the table.
Heading into the final round of action, the Crusaders have the bye but already locked in a home final after their victory over the Blues last weekend, while the Chiefs are unassailable in second position, courtesy of their five-point buffer over the Blues.
The Highlanders could take third spot if they can score a win over the Hurricanes and the Blues can’t get up over an inexperienced Chiefs team but other than that minor accomplishment, there’s nothing to play for in the final round.
#SuperRugbyAotearoa table if the golden point games had just been draws:
Crusaders 26
Chiefs 18
Blues 15
Highlanders 15
Hurricanes 8Would have made for an interesting final round…
— James (@jrodbourn) April 29, 2021
As highlighted by James Rodbourn on Twitter, there would be a lot more at stake this weekend were it not for those extra-time victories.
If the Crusaders and Chiefs had to settle for draws in those Round 7 matches, there would be just two competition points separating the second-placed Chiefs and the fourth-placed Highlanders.
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As such, the Chiefs would need to secure a win on Saturday night to guarantee their place in the grand final – and would have been forced to again field their first-choice team.
If the Blues instead prevailed and the Highlanders overcame the Hurricanes, the spot in the final would come to down who had the better points differential between the two victorious sides – and there would be just three points in it going into the start of the round.
It’s an ironic twist, given that golden point was conceived as a way of making the competition more exciting – which it inevitably did for all of six minutes, while the next 160 minutes of Super Rugby Aotearoa action is now all but redudant.
“Draws can often leave everyone feeling a little empty and after feedback from our coaches and players we have added the golden point rule,” said New Zealand Rugby Head of Professional Rugby Chris Lendrum ahead of last year’s competition. “We’ve seen the excitement it can generate in other codes and we think adds a real edge.”
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Nothing's come easy this year – Super Rugby Aotearoa has been tough both physically and mentally. #SuperRugbyAotearoahttps://t.co/9f1R9nQpoE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 29, 2021
While the golden point rule hasn’t exactly improved this year’s competition, that’s not an inditement on the rule as a whole – it just so happens that the winning sides in the only extra time matches have also ended up as the first and second seeds for the grand final.
Had the Crusaders lost their match against the Hurricanes, a bonus point victory for the Chiefs on Saturday would hand them home-ground advantage for the competition final – although that’s not something they’ve managed for some time.
A win for the Highlanders against the Chiefs, on the other hand, would have put them in pole position this weekend to nab second place – but only if they’re able to get up against the Hurricanes.
Instead, the worst possible results have transpired – unless you’re a Crusaders or Chiefs fan.
It’s an unfortunate consequence of the golden point law but likely not one that will see the rule scrapped for next year, whatever form Super Rugby takes, given that the Australian competition has also incorporated golden point for the past two seasons.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
31 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments