Rugby union bonus points system
Encyclopedia
The Rugby union bonus points system is a method of deciding table points from a rugby union
match. It was implemented in order to encourage attacking play throughout a match, to discourage repetitive goal-kicking, and to reward teams for "coming close" in losing efforts. Under the standard system, points are awarded as follows:
No team can get more than 5 points in a match.
In the system used in the Asian Five Nations competition, the minimum number of points that can be awarded to the two teams is 5 and the maximum 8, with a maximum of 6 points available to one team.
The French professional league, Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), uses a similar system in its two competitions, the Top 14 and Rugby Pro D2
. After trialling the system in 2007-08, LNR adopted the new system permanently after that season.
The French system awards points in this manner:
This system prevents a losing team from picking up two bonus points in the same match, as is possible under the normal system. It also means that neither team earns a bonus point in a drawn match.
The Asian Five Nations
competition uses the standard criteria for awarding bonus points, but gives 5 points for a win and 3 points for a draw.
's domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship
, in 1995 and subsequently adopted in the inaugural Super 12 in 1996. It was first used at the Rugby World Cup
in 2003, and has been the staple for international and club competition since, with the notable exception of the Six Nations Championship
. If the Six Nations used the bonus point system, England would have won in 2002 despite France winning the Grand Slam.
, while still under the rugby union
banner, does not use this system, and instead gives points for wins and draws. Sevens is a faster, more try-friendly game with a shorter time limit and a tendency to have runaway results. Sevens competitions are also usually one- or two-day affairs with an emphasis on the final bracket. All of this means there is little reason in using the Bonus Point System for the 7-a-side game.
Rugby league
has tried out similar bonus point systems in some competitions, but most competitions only give points for wins and draws. However, since the 2007 season
, the Championship and Championship One (the two levels below Super League
), primarily in England
with one team
in France, give 3 points for a win, 2 for a draw, and 1 for a loss by 12 points or fewer (this amounts to two converted tries in rugby league, which gives 4 points for a try instead of 5 in union).
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
match. It was implemented in order to encourage attacking play throughout a match, to discourage repetitive goal-kicking, and to reward teams for "coming close" in losing efforts. Under the standard system, points are awarded as follows:
- 4 points for a win.
- 2 points for a draw.
- 1 "bonus" point for scoring 4 tries (or more).
- 1 "bonus" point for losing by 7 points (or fewer).
No team can get more than 5 points in a match.
In the system used in the Asian Five Nations competition, the minimum number of points that can be awarded to the two teams is 5 and the maximum 8, with a maximum of 6 points available to one team.
The French professional league, Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR), uses a similar system in its two competitions, the Top 14 and Rugby Pro D2
Rugby Pro D2
Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second level of domestic club rugby union in France, below the first division, Top 14. The competition was introduced in 2000. There is relegation and promotion between both the Top 14 and Fédérale 1, the third-level competition...
. After trialling the system in 2007-08, LNR adopted the new system permanently after that season.
The French system awards points in this manner:
- 4 points for a win.
- 2 points for a draw.
- 1 "bonus" point for winning while scoring at least 3 more tries than the opponent.
- 1 "bonus" point for losing by 7 points (or fewer).
This system prevents a losing team from picking up two bonus points in the same match, as is possible under the normal system. It also means that neither team earns a bonus point in a drawn match.
The Asian Five Nations
Asian Five Nations
The Asian Five Nations, known as the HSBC Asian 5 Nations due to its sponsorship by HSBC, is an annual international rugby union competition held between the top five Asian national rugby sides...
competition uses the standard criteria for awarding bonus points, but gives 5 points for a win and 3 points for a draw.
Details
This format was created for New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
, in 1995 and subsequently adopted in the inaugural Super 12 in 1996. It was first used at the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
in 2003, and has been the staple for international and club competition since, with the notable exception of the Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
. If the Six Nations used the bonus point system, England would have won in 2002 despite France winning the Grand Slam.
Other forms of rugby
Rugby SevensRugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
, while still under the rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
banner, does not use this system, and instead gives points for wins and draws. Sevens is a faster, more try-friendly game with a shorter time limit and a tendency to have runaway results. Sevens competitions are also usually one- or two-day affairs with an emphasis on the final bracket. All of this means there is little reason in using the Bonus Point System for the 7-a-side game.
Rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
has tried out similar bonus point systems in some competitions, but most competitions only give points for wins and draws. However, since the 2007 season
Rugby League National Leagues in 2007
This article contains information on rugby league played in the UK at semi-professional level in 2007. For general information on the National Leagues, see Rugby League National Leagues...
, the Championship and Championship One (the two levels below Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
), primarily in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
with one team
Toulouse Olympique
Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with...
in France, give 3 points for a win, 2 for a draw, and 1 for a loss by 12 points or fewer (this amounts to two converted tries in rugby league, which gives 4 points for a try instead of 5 in union).