Extra-time is ruled out for Lions series

THE Lions series in South Africa could end up in a stalemate, like the anticlimactic end to the New Zealand tour four years ago, with no extra-time decider built in. Sportsmail can reveal that if the Lions and Springboks end the three-match series level-pegging they will share the trophy — like the tourists did with the All Blacks in 2017. Four years ago, New Zealand beat the Lions 30-15 in the first Test at Eden Park then the Lions won the second Test in Wellington 24-21, before the dramatic 15-15 draw back in Auckland. Players on both sides were unsure if there would be a series-deciding sudden-death period, extra-time or penalty shootout, and after the series was shared the tourists and fans alike called for a decider to avoid the 2017 scenario. But the move has been resisted for the South Africa trip.