Golden point
Encyclopedia
The golden point, a sudden death overtime system, is used to resolve drawn rugby league football matches. The term is borrowed from soccer's now defunct golden goal
.
competition, normal season games were left as draws; in finals matches, 20 minutes extra time ensued (10 minutes each way), with a replay in the event of a draw.
If the scores are level at the end of 80 minutes, 5 minutes are played, the teams swap ends with no break, and a further 5 minutes are played. Any score (try
, penalty goal
, or field goal
) in this 10 minute period secures a win for the scoring team, and the game ends at that point. If the scoring event is a try, no conversion is attempted. If no further scoring occurs, the game is drawn and each team receives one competition point.
However, during the finals
series, where a winner must be found on the day, play continues in the second period of extra time until either team scores.
First used in Super League's Tri-Series
in 1997, the golden point has been used since the 2003 season by the NRL, and also by the ARL
for State of Origin
games, as 1-all draws in 1999
and 2002
left no clear winner of the series..
Golden point was first required in State of Origin in the 2004 series, when Shaun Timmins
kicked a field goal for NSW to win the opening match of that series 9-8. In the opening match of the 2005 State of Origin series, a Brett Kimmorley
(NSW) pass was intercepted by Matthew Bowen (QLD) in the 83rd minute to give Queensland Game One. NSW won the series 2-1 on both occasions.
final. The format follows that of the NRL finals series: a five minute period of play followed by a brief pause and then if no points have been scored a second period that continues until points are scored.
In the 2006
series, Australia and New Zealand were locked 12-12 at fulltime. Darren Lockyer
scored a try in the 87th minute to win the title for Australia.
, Europe's most prestigious knock-out tournament, operates under the golden point rule and also follows the NRL Finals system. One extra half of five minutes is played, and should neither team have scored any more points in that time, a second period commences until one of the teams scores again, thus winning the game. This was first applied in 2009
, when the Castleford Tigers
defeated Halifax RLFC
in extra time during the fifth round of the competition. Brent Sherwin
kicked a drop goal in the 82nd minute to advance Castleford to the quarterfinals. The second being Warringtons stand off Lee Briers kicking a drop goal to see them through to the Semi Finals against Hull KR.
The golden point rule is not applied to the Super League
. If two teams are drawing at the end of eighty minutes, the match is declared a draw, and the two sides
share a point each. Friendlies
may apply the golden point rule, depending on the format of the tie.
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
.
Australasia
The golden point is used to determine a winner (where applicable, see below) when scores are level at the end of regular time. Before its introduction in Australasia's National Rugby LeagueNational Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
competition, normal season games were left as draws; in finals matches, 20 minutes extra time ensued (10 minutes each way), with a replay in the event of a draw.
If the scores are level at the end of 80 minutes, 5 minutes are played, the teams swap ends with no break, and a further 5 minutes are played. Any score (try
Try
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
, penalty goal
Penalty (rugby)
In rugby football, the penalty is the main disciplinary sanction available to the referee to penalise players who commit deliberate infringements. The team who did not commit the infringement are given possession of the ball and may either kick it towards touch , attempt a place kick at goal, or...
, or field goal
Field goal (rugby)
A drop goal, also referred to as a dropped goal or field goal, is a method of scoring points in rugby union and rugby league. A drop goal cannot be scored in open play by punting the ball, and instead must be scored by drop kicking the ball over the crossbar and between the uprights. After the...
) in this 10 minute period secures a win for the scoring team, and the game ends at that point. If the scoring event is a try, no conversion is attempted. If no further scoring occurs, the game is drawn and each team receives one competition point.
However, during the finals
Playoff
The playoffs, postseason, or finals of a sports league are a game or series of games played after the regular season by the top competitors, usually but not always with a single-elimination system, to determine the league champion or a similar accolade.In the U.S...
series, where a winner must be found on the day, play continues in the second period of extra time until either team scores.
First used in Super League's Tri-Series
Super League Tri-series
The Super League Tri-series was a rugby league football tournament contested in 1997 between Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand representative rugby league teams...
in 1997, the golden point has been used since the 2003 season by the NRL, and also by the ARL
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
for State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
games, as 1-all draws in 1999
1999 Rugby League State of Origin series
The 1999 State of Origin series was the 18th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules. The series was drawn and the shield...
and 2002
2002 Rugby League State of Origin series
The 2002 State of Origin series was the 21st year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules...
left no clear winner of the series..
Golden point was first required in State of Origin in the 2004 series, when Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins
Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
kicked a field goal for NSW to win the opening match of that series 9-8. In the opening match of the 2005 State of Origin series, a Brett Kimmorley
Brett Kimmorley
Brett "Noddy" Kimmorley was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the NRL. He has previously played for five other clubs and has also represented his country and state on several occasions...
(NSW) pass was intercepted by Matthew Bowen (QLD) in the 83rd minute to give Queensland Game One. NSW won the series 2-1 on both occasions.
Internationals
Golden point is also applied to the Tri-NationsRugby League Tri-Nations
The Rugby League Tri-Nations was a rugby league tournament involving the top three nations in the sport: Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand...
final. The format follows that of the NRL finals series: a five minute period of play followed by a brief pause and then if no points have been scored a second period that continues until points are scored.
In the 2006
2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations
The 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations was hosted for the second time by Australia and New Zealand. Sponsored by Gillette the tournament followed the same format as in 2004 and 2005, with each team meeting the other two teams twice, and the top two teams at the end of the group stages proceeding to the...
series, Australia and New Zealand were locked 12-12 at fulltime. Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
scored a try in the 87th minute to win the title for Australia.
Europe
The Challenge CupChallenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
, Europe's most prestigious knock-out tournament, operates under the golden point rule and also follows the NRL Finals system. One extra half of five minutes is played, and should neither team have scored any more points in that time, a second period commences until one of the teams scores again, thus winning the game. This was first applied in 2009
2009 Challenge Cup
The 2009 Carnegie Challenge Cup began in January 2009. The Challenge Cup is the most prestigious knock-out competition in European rugby league. Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia are included in the tournament....
, when the Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
defeated Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
in extra time during the fifth round of the competition. Brent Sherwin
Brent Sherwin
Brent Sherwin is an Australian professional rugby league player. Sherwin currently plays in the Illawarra Carlton League which is an indirect feeder league to the St George Illawarra Dragons. His position of choice is at half-back...
kicked a drop goal in the 82nd minute to advance Castleford to the quarterfinals. The second being Warringtons stand off Lee Briers kicking a drop goal to see them through to the Semi Finals against Hull KR.
The golden point rule is not applied to the 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...
. If two teams are drawing at the end of eighty minutes, the match is declared a draw, and the two sides
share a point each. Friendlies
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
may apply the golden point rule, depending on the format of the tie.