Golden point for Super Rugby?
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has confirmed that New Zealand Rugby has tabled an NRL-style ‘golden point’ system to decide drawn games in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
‘‘It has been tabled by New Zealand Rugby and the coaches have been part of that discussion as well,’’ Mauger said yesterday.
‘‘I think it’s a great idea. It’s great for the spectacle. You can get a clear winner or loser.’’
The proposal is in line with NZ Rugby’s commitment to being innovative in Super Rugby Aotearoa, and although major rule changes are unlikely to be made the golden-point system would add some spice to a 10-week competition that doesn’t have a finals system.
Draws were surprisingly common in Super Rugby last year, with each New Zealand franchise involved in at least one drawn game.
The Highlanders drew with both the Chiefs and the Bulls in Dunedin last year, the former a 31-31 thriller that left both sides ultimately unhappy.
The Crusaders also recorded two stalemates, drawing 21-21 with both the Sharks in Christchurch and 19-19 with the Stormers in Cape Town.
The extra-time system to decide would put even more emphasis on fitness in what is already likely to be a gruelling Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, which is likely to be won by the last team standing.
‘‘It can come down to moments,’’ Mauger said. ‘‘Our ability to stay on for 80 minutes plus is going to be key.
‘‘I haven’t heard anything in the last week or so, so I’m not sure how far down the track it is.
‘‘But we’d be supportive if that’s the outcome.’’
Mauger was also pleased with the conditioning improvements of his side compared to earlier in the year, and said they should be in better shape for the fast-paced Kiwi derbies.
‘‘I think our guys are better prepared this time around. It’s a credit to the hard work they put in through the isolation period.
‘‘We did a review as a team in the early part of isolation and just addressed some of the things we needed to be better at.
‘‘One of those was our ability to work for long periods. I was pleased to see a lot of guys run PBs in the Broncos and other guys made some shifts in that area.’’