The inevitable question of the tiebreaker was posed to New Zealand coach Steve Hansen ahead of the Rugby World Cup semi-final against England.
The two countries met in a contentious Cricket World Cup final in July that went to England on an unprecedented and quirky countback regulation after the game and a so-called Super Over were tied.
If the Rugby World Cup knockout games are tied after extra-time, followed by sudden-death extra-time – or first scorer wins – then outcomes will be decided by a place kicking shootout.
“Have we prepared for that? We know those are the rules, so yes,” Hansen said.
“I would be highly surprised if after 80 minutes, then 10 minutes each way (extra time), then sudden-death extra-time … that someone hasn’t scored some points.
“But funnier things have happened. I don’t know if they got the cricket one right really.”
The New Zealand cricket team won a lot of praise from fans of the game around the world for the way they reacted to the heartbreaking outcome, despite taking more wickets than England in the regulation overs.
The International Cricket Council has subsequently scrapped the boundary countback tiebreaker for future tournaments.
All Rugby World Cup matches to date have been decided within normal or extra-time, but there’s provision for a shootout that would involve five players from each team taking place kicks.
Under the rules, a coin toss would be made and the winner would decide which team kicks first, or from which end of the field the kicks are taken.
The five kickers from each team must be on the playing field at the end of the extra, extra-time period to be eligible for the shootout, which would be taken in a sequence from three positions on the quarter-line – in front of goals, and from 15-metres in from the touchline on the left and right sides.
New Zealand had the best goal kicking percentage in the group stage with 84 per cent accuracy, although with 23-man squads the calculations on who takes the kicks could get complicated.
Lock Scott Barrett reckoned he would be a good choice if one of the All Blacks forwards was required to step up to the tee.
“We’d have to be quite short (of options) but out of the forwards, I’d definitely back myself, sure.”
He wouldn’t even be the first option in his family, if a place kicker was needed.
There were three Barrett brothers in the All Blacks’ 23-man squad for the quarter-final win over Ireland last weekend.
Beauden Barrett is usually a five-eighth but is playing fullback and Jordie Barrett is a utility back. Both are regular goal kickers.
