Super Rugby matches in the three-week playoffs which start this weekend will be decided by penalty shootouts if the teams remain deadlocked after extra time.
SANZAR have revealed that in the event that matches in the Super Rugby Finals Series are tied at full-time the following steps will apply until a winner is found:
1 Extra Time
– After a five minute rest period, extra time will be played in two 10 minute periods with a two minute halftime.
– A coin toss will determine kick off and the sides of the pitch where each team will play.
– Coaches are not permitted on the field during the rest period or halftime.
– Teams and match officials must remain on the field during the rest period and at halftime.
– Injury time is added to the two 10 minute periods.
2 Sudden Death – if the match is still tied at the end of extra time
– An up to 10 minute sudden death period is played after another five minute rest period.
– The first team to score (by a penalty, drop-goal or try) will be the winner
– As for extra time a coin toss will determine kicks-off and sides of the pitch.
– Teams and match officials must remain on the field during the rest period.
– Injury time is added to this period of play.
3 Kicking Competition – if the match is still tied at the end of sudden death
– Coin toss to determine which team kicks first or the end at which all place kicks will be taken
– Each team must nominate five Players to take part in the competition. Only Players on the Playing Area at the final whistle of extra time may be nominated.
– The five Players from each team will place kick from three different points, all on the 22 metre line, as follows:
- First point: directly in front of the posts
- Second point: on the 15-metre line on the left hand side facing the posts
- Third point: on the 15-metre line on the right hand side facing the posts
- Fourth point: directly in front of the posts
- Fifth point: on the 15-metre line on the left hand side facing the posts
– If there are an equal number of successful kicks once each Team has completed its Five (5) place kicks, the competition continues on a ‘sudden death’ basis until a winner is determined.
The kicking competition has been introduced from the 2011 season to ensure an outright winner. Previoulsly, if it ever got to the point that teams were level after extra-time and sudden death in a Final they would have to share the spoils.