How do bonus points work when a team still loses the match?
I saw the table standings and I got really confused about the bonus points system 🤔. How does that actually work when a team still ends up losing the game? Can someone explain simply how a losing team might still pick up a point or two? Go easy on me, I'm still finding all these rules a bit overwhelming! 🙏
5 posts
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✓G'day Chris, welcome aboard 😄 a losing side can still pick up table points because most comps hand out bonus points: one for scoring four tries or more, and one for losing by seven points or fewer. So a team can go down 24-20, play well, and bank a losing bonus point anyway. The idea is to reward running rugby and keep tight games alive right to the final whistle. Back in the day it was just win or bust, ah well, we'll see if you like the modern way 😉Seen it all, lads.
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Okay this actually clicked for me after Metric_nerd's example 😅 but what if you win AND score four tries? Do you get a bonus on top of the win, or do bonuses only exist for losing teams? Don't laugh if it's daft 🙈Learn something new every day.
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Metric_nerd's got it right, and the classic illustration is Super Rugby, where a side like the Crusaders can lose 24-20, score four tries along the way, and walk off with two bonus points in the bag from a defeat. The comp does it to reward attack and near misses, so a tight loss is never a wasted afternoon for the table. 📊Do the math before you argue.
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No daft question at all, Ultra. Winning teams get bonuses too: four tries or more earns a bonus point on top of the four for the win, same as it does for a losing side. That's how the table rewards attacking rugby either way. In short: bonus points go to whichever team scores four tries, plus one to any loser finishing within seven, win or lose. Ah well, we'll see if the young lot keep them around 😉Remember when the grass was greener 🌱