A Radical Change Is Set To Hit Super Rugby

SANZAR is set to make a radical change to its bonus point system for the 2016 Super Rugby season, mirroring a move made in France’s Top 14 competition.

Super Rugby teams will now need to score three more tries than the opposition to secure a bonus point, with the four try bonus point being scrapped. The idea is to encourage teams to continue to play attacking rugby, even if the contest is lopsided.

Previously, a team winning by a large margin could take the foot off the pedal and empty their bench once they had secured the four try bonus point.

The other Super Rugby bonus point for losing by seven points or less will remain intact. The new bonus point system has been given the green light at the Sanzar conference with representatives of all 18 clubs in the new-look, expanded competition.

But it is still subject to Sanzar board approval, with an announcement set to be made in Sydney on Thursday following the meeting. At this stage, the new bonus point system will only be used in Super Rugby, with a decision on its place in The Rugby Championship to be made in due course.

The “three more tries” bonus point is already being used in France’s Top 14 competition and Sanzar has been persuaded to follow suit. The Super Rugby season kicks off on February 26 with the Blues hosting the defending champion Highlanders.

Source: FoxSports