Bonus points system to debut at RWC'03
March 13, 2003

Rugby World Cup officials have informed competing nations that a bonus points system is to be used for the first time in October's tournament to determine the qualifiers for the knockout stages.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the radical format, which has been approved by the five-man board of Rugby World Cup Ltd, will have an effect in particular on tightly-contested groups such as Pool A, which includes Australia, Ireland and Argentina along with Namibia and Romania, and also Pool D, which features New Zealand, Italy, Wales and Canada as well as either Tonga or Korea. Only two teams qualify from each pool for the quarter-finals.

As in the Super 12 and the Zurich Premiership a bonus point is to be awarded to sides who score four tries or more in a pool game. A bonus point is also to go to a losing side who finish within seven points.

The team managers will not have a chance to air their views fully until a meeting in Sydney in two months' time.

The measure has been approved by the board, a panel chaired by Syd Millar and comprising Malcolm Phillips (England), Rian Oberholzer (South Africa), Jacques Laurans (France) and Mike Miller (International Rugby Board).

The late nature of this announcement is sure to provoke comment around the world.

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