IRB confirm drop goal shoot outs
Sportal.com.au
May 8, 2003

The International Rugby Board (IRB) have confirmed that a drop-goal shoot-out will be introduced for the first time at the 2003 World Cup.

The tournament regulations, signed by all 20 participating nations in Sydney last week, state the new measure will take effect from the knock-out stages onwards, but only after two separate periods of extra-time.

If the two sides remain tied after extra-time of 10 minutes each way, plus 10 minutes of sudden-death, five players from each side will be nominated to attempt drop goals from different spots behind the 22-metre line.

However, pool matches that are level after 80 minutes will be declared a draw with the points shared.

For all the interest in the new measure, it is unlikely - though not impossible - that the 2003 world champions will be decided by drop-goals, particularly as it would mean neither side scoring during the preceding 10 minutes of sudden death extra-time.

However, the new plan is a move away from previous World Cups, where the winner of games tied after 20 minutes extra-time would be adjudged firstly on the number of tries scored in the match and then on the respective sides' disciplinary record.

There have been a few close calls, but it has never reached that stage.

South Africa won the 1995 final against New Zealand in regulation extra-time, though had Joel Stransky not landed his famous drop goals and the scores finished level, the All Blacks would have triumphed with fewer dismissals during the tournament.

At the last World Cup, the Springboks were on the receiving end in extra-time when Stephen Larkham landed his first Test drop goal as Australia won a dramatic Twickenham semi-final.

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