Mailbox: Add Golden Try and a point for Golden Point loss
Mailbox gives you the chance to get your voice heard and start the debate with the rugby league audience. Want to be featured? Email the editor: james@loverugbyleague.com
Dear Love Rugby League,
Another Golden Point. And once again the argument rages. Personally, I like it. But then, I’m a Hull FC fan so of course I like it. I’m pretty sure Wigan and Cas fans hate it with a vengeance.
The compromise position will be trotted out again. Two points for the win but one point for the losers. I’ve still not read/heard any argument that has convinced me on this. It’s all hypothetical anyway, but I can foresee a situation where, with relegation or playoffs on the line a side could have no incentive to go for the win (settling for the one point) while the opponent (and other sides) need a clearer definite outcome. But that’s an argument for another time.
How about rewarding a Golden Try?
Say the Golden Point two points for a win, one point for the loss scenario was implemented, what if a side could deny the opposition the one point if they won by scoring a try? The Rugger-buggers have something similar in their bonus point system (lose by less than seven and you get a bonus point). It has been known for teams to kick a goal or go for the try deliberately to stop the opposition from getting anything from the game. Especially if it’s a close rival. So imagine a game towards the end of the season where denying a bonus point might be crucial.
In golden point time it becomes a ‘three point game’. I’d be interested to hear what others think.
Andy Hunter
Editor’s comment: The golden point does some weighted in the favour of the team that wins the toss, and thus opts to receive the ball. It would be interesting to see some percentages of wins in the NRL by the team who receives the ball from the kick-off. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a draw myself, and it will be interesting to see if the golden point is persisted with over the long term or not. My preference would be for the whole game to adopt it, if it is going to be used.
Mailbox gives you the chance to get your voice heard and start the debate with the rugby league audience. Want to be featured? Email the editor: james@loverugbyleague.com