6 Nations to introduce bonus points in 2017

by **RDW** Wed Nov 30, 2016 11:13 am

First topic message reminder :

http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/30434.php#hlum6IDwQOvpZVgD.97

A very big change!

6 Nations wrote:The Six Nations Council today announced the introduction of a bonus points system in the RBS 6 Nations, The Women's Six Nations and the Under 20s Six Nations Championships.
Read more at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/30434.php#4Yb3FfZqxK5XQ8cY.99

This system will be implemented on a trial basis in all three Championships in 2017 and will be reviewed post Championships.

As part of their review of the Championships, the Council took the decision to implement a bonus point system to encourage and reward try scoring and attacking play.

Competition points will be awarded in all matches on the following basis:

(i) The Union that wins the Match shall be awarded four Match Points or (if it scores four tries or more in the process) five Match Points.

(ii) The Union that loses the Match shall be awarded no Match Points or (if it scores four tries or more in the process or loses by a margin of seven points or fewer) one Match Point or (if it scores four tries or more in the process and loses by a margin of seven points or fewer) two Match Points.

(iii) Unions that draw a Match shall each be awarded two Match Points and any of them that scores four tries or more in the process shall be awarded a further one Match Point.

(iv) A Union that wins all five of its Matches (a "Grand Slam") shall be awarded a further three Match Points.

Pat Whelan, Chairman of the Six Nations said: "We have been looking at the feasibility of a bonus point system for a while and examining what kind of bonus point system would work best, given the unique properties and format of our Championships.

"We needed to ensure that whatever bonus point system we selected would work with the already proven structure of the Championships and would serve to materially improve what is already there.

"We are happy that the system that we have decided to trial is the one best suited to our Championships and we are delighted to be going ahead with this new development.

"We believe that the initiative will enhance our competitions for fans, teams, broadcasters and all of those for whom the Championship means so much."

John Feehan, Chief Executive of Six Nations said: "The drama and excitement of the last weekend of the RBS 6 Nations Championship is unique and is, more often than not, driven by a number of teams on equal Championship points all competing for first place on the table.

"It is important for us to ensure that any bonus point system which is implemented would not, in any way, take away from this unique dynamic.

"At the same time, we are also conscious that we must reward try scoring and an attacking style of play that will deliver more tries and greater rewards for fans and players alike.

"We are very excited about the potential that this new development will bring to the Championships and we look forward to trialling it next February and March."
Read more at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/30434.php#4Yb3FfZqxK5XQ8cY.99

by **RDW** Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:24 pm

tigertattie wrote:it's easy to fix.

if two teams are tied at the top with four wins, which ever of those two teams that beat the other becomes champ!

If it's a three way tie then it's points difference!

Imagine if Scotland hump Wales, France and Italy by more than 7 points and scoring 4 tries in each game then narrowly lose to Ireland and England by less than 7 points, Scotland Scoring 4 tries in each game, Ireland and England scoring 3 and the winning points were cons or goal kicks! Ireland beat England but are also beaten by France.

Ireland and England would have 4 wins
Scotland would have 3 wins but would be crowned champs??????????

It just wouldn't seem right!

I'd quickly get over it if Scotland won the Championship! Very Happy

by munkian Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:24 pm

Griff wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:Hate this experiment.

As sad before the 6 Nations is a series of one off games played in different conditions.

I take it from now on Wales will have to play with the roof open otherwise they will be gaining an unfair advantage.

It's never Wales' choice anyway.

Don't let facts get in the way of his mediocre trolling Rolling Eyes

by wolfball Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:48 pm

I hope they ran the numbers of this new system for all previous 6 nations tournaments, not just 2016 (as someone posted above). If the tables in general stayed roughly the same (top 3 the same at least) then I am open to this new system as in practice it wont make much of a difference, but can't say I am excited about it.

by No 7&1/2 Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:51 pm

Waste of time to run it over any previous season as the assumption is it will affect how teams play.

by wolfball Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:56 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:Waste of time to run it over any previous season as the assumption is it will affect how teams play.

I don't think so. Of course it will effect how teams will play, but its a pretty major rule change, and by looking at the past we can find any "weird" examples which might make the new system seem unfair in future. Looking through it, under the new system Ireland would have won over france in 2007 and england over wales in 2013. That obviously doesn't take away anything from those years, or even the new system necessarily, but it's worth investigating more no? Like, if this year there is a clear Team A would have won under old system, but Team B actually won with new system, technically its fair as all teams play under same rules, but the reaction from Team As fans might be less than calm...

by **George Carlin** Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:57 pm

I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

by wolfball Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:58 pm

George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

by **RDW** Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:58 pm

George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

A good suggestion, but who would decide whether a moral victory is to be awarded?

by No 7&1/2 Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:01 pm

wolfball wrote:
No 7&1/2 wrote:Waste of time to run it over any previous season as the assumption is it will affect how teams play.

I don't think so. Of course it will effect how teams will play, but its a pretty major rule change, and by looking at the past we can find any "weird" examples which might make the new system seem unfair in future. Looking through it, under the new system Ireland would have won over france in 2007 and england over wales in 2013. That obviously doesn't take away anything from those years, or even the new system necessarily, but it's worth investigating more no? Like, if this year there is a clear Team A would have won under old system, but Team B actually won with new system, technically its fair as all teams play under same rules, but the reaction from Team As fans might be less than calm...

Well we can say that but all the teams knew what the rules were for those years adn by changing those rules the scorelines and who won may well have been very different. I think the only way this comes out 'weird' is for a no GS years where someone could win the tournament with fewer wins overall (if I've got my maths right...whichis doubtful!).

by SecretFly Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:15 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

A good suggestion, but who would decide whether a moral victory is to be awarded?

A sideline TMO Emotometer - to judge the mood of fans when leaving the ground. If the attitude of most fans is "We could'a won that and maybe should'a won it" - then the 2 match points go to that team.

My Company sells Emotometers.

by Big Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:17 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
mid_gen wrote:I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out. I've never really thought points difference was a satisfying way to decide the tournament.

That's one of the problems with the 'old' system - for example Italy could get a guy red carded in the 3rd minute and ship 100 points to England, giving England a huge advantage in the championship. The current system isn't ideal either.

Whether BPs are the way forward we probably can't say for sure until the tournament pans out!

I completely agree!

Over the last 3 years the number of tries scored has increased fairly dramatically - but almost all of that is coming against Italy. I'm pretty sure that the top teams have latched on to the fact that getting a big score against them can be a tournament winner (and has been more than once) so go flat out to get a good points difference then. And it's got to the point that in the last event there were 37 tries in the games involving Italy, and only 34 in the other 10 games.

Having bonus points means that teams will be rewarded for a sustained high level attacking game, and not just for a one off massive score. We'll need to see how it pans out, but I'm happy for it to be given a run.

by The Great Aukster Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:31 pm

Munchkin wrote:Why try to fix what isn't broke?

Stupid idea put into practice by stupid people feeling the need to justify their own existence.

Well said Munchkin - totally agree. There can be no other reason for introducing such a ridiculous system than self-justification.

The 6N doesn't need more popularity judging by attendance and viewing figures and this may actually harm that. For those attending a spectacle, at it's basest level the 6N is a series of one on one Test matches that have their own individual identity to be enjoyed by the travelling support as well as the home fans. Attaching unnecessary bells and whistles just adds a cacophony of white noise and therefore detracts from the occasion. It cannot be right that the oldest Test encounter between England and Scotland is no longer purely about winning or the margin of the score but is now infected with an unfair bonus toxin.

The current bonus point system is already flawed because the winning team's result points are not reduced from 4 to 3 when they concede a LBP, so there is little incentive for a winning side to bother too much about stopping a LBP. Over a couple of dozen games that hopefully won't have too big an impact but with so few games in the 6N that impact is magnified five fold.

Perhaps it is the average fan like you and I Munchkin who are the stupid ones though - after all we let these idiotic numpties run the game and therefore wield the power to ruin it?

by SecretFly Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:34 pm

Big wrote:

Having bonus points means that teams will be rewarded for a sustained high level attacking game, and not just for a one off massive score. We'll need to see how it pans out, but I'm happy for it to be given a run.

And it's all happening JUST when Italy get a new coach who wants to promise both them and the rest of us - No More F**king Cricket Scores against Us, you Basterdes!

The injustice of the timing! mad

Conor O'Shea will be fumin'!

by Cardiff Dave Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:40 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

A good suggestion, but who would decide whether a moral victory is to be awarded?

A panel of judges obviously, like there is on every other fecking tv show these days. Extra points for artistic impression or flare too, why not.

by munkian Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:41 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

A good suggestion, but who would decide whether a moral victory is to be awarded?

A panel of judges obviously, like there is on every other fecking tv show these days. Extra points for artistic impression or flare too, why not.

Judges based in Ireland, obviously Whistle

by SecretFly Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:45 pm

Did someone say Louis Walsh for TMO?

Now yis are just taking the p-iss!

by Cardiff Dave Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:01 pm

Getting rid of the goal posts would encourage try scoring too.
Just saying.

by lostinwales Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:10 pm

SecretFly wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:
George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

A good suggestion, but who would decide whether a moral victory is to be awarded?

A sideline TMO Emotometer - to judge the mood of fans when leaving the ground. If the attitude of most fans is "We could'a won that and maybe should'a won it" - then the 2 match points go to that team.

My Company sells Emotometers.

Let me guess - your job is testing them to destruction?

by SecretFly Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:15 pm

lostinwales wrote:

Let me guess - your job is testing them to destruction?

Not much profit in that gig, Lost. You need to do more business school. Better to sell stuff that wasn't tested at all and is often basically a waste of bloody time and the money that was invested in it - like TMOs. Wink

by the-goon Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:45 pm

wolfball wrote:
No 7&1/2 wrote:Waste of time to run it over any previous season as the assumption is it will affect how teams play.

I don't think so. Of course it will effect how teams will play, but its a pretty major rule change, and by looking at the past we can find any "weird" examples which might make the new system seem unfair in future. Looking through it, under the new system Ireland would have won over france in 2007 and england over wales in 2013. That obviously doesn't take away anything from those years, or even the new system necessarily, but it's worth investigating more no? Like, if this year there is a clear Team A would have won under old system, but Team B actually won with new system, technically its fair as all teams play under same rules, but the reaction from Team As fans might be less than calm...

I think Ireland would have won 2004 as well

by milkyboy Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:46 pm

I get the idea that they want to encourage teams to play to the final whistle, rather than kill time and see out the game, but it only works if that team has 3 tries, in some circumstances if the lead is safe it might effect a side with 2 tries, with 10 minutes left maybe. It's not going to change the mindset from the beginning of the game.

Not sure I think a 4 try, 7 point loss is equal to a 3 try draw either.

I don't see any real negatives beyond that, but i'm not sure there's much in the way of positives either. I'm sure the steering committee and some sports consultancy boffins enjoyed their gin soaked brainstorming sessions though, so who'd be so churlish as to deny them that.

by Guest Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:18 pm

Cardiff Dave wrote:Getting rid of the goal posts would encourage try scoring too.
Just saying.

I've never understood why we don't have the American Football style of goals where the footings (is that the term?) are embedded off the back of the pitch but the uprights are still in line with the try line/'goal zone' (or whatever they call it in grid iron). Doesn't get in the way then. If we're changing the scoring system we may as well look at the goals too. Why stick with tradition Wink

by Guest Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:32 pm

On another note I quite like the current format, not because I'm a traditionalist (in most aspects I like the modern ways), but because I think it's nice to have some individuality and 'separateness' to the tournaments. Rugby is in danger of becoming so homogenised. We'll bring in bonus points, then someone will say we need home and away in the 6N so that we're more like the SH, then someone will say we need to play it at the same time as the Tri Nations so we'll change the rugby calendar to accommodate. All of a sudden we have identical competitions at the same time of the year with the same scoring system, home and away. They'll probably scrap the name 6 nations. We'll have 'Rugby Tournament - North' and 'Rugby Torunament South'. Every player will earn the same amount. They'll tell us what colour our jerseys should be (home team in black and away team in white. No exceptions). We'll all be coached from a central panel selected by world rugby. It will be like something from a sci fi movie. I say let's embrace diversity instead.

On a serious note I just think bonus points work much better on a home and away basis. You can try to nick a point away knowing you have a home game where you're more likely to win. But our set up doesn't give you that so some teams with 2 home games are disadvantaged straight away. But I wouldn't want home and away either. I like it's quirky nature. That in itself adds excitement. That's what we should be selling to the fans who crave the excitement of an extra point!

by SecretFly Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:42 pm

Griff wrote:We'll bring in bonus points, then someone will say we need home and away in the 6N so that we're more like the SH

Oh that'll never happen. That's just silly. You're being melodramatic. You're being paranoid. Nobody is saying anybody is trying to change the whole thing bit by little bit so that they don't spook the natives too much by changing it all at the same time. Don't be such a town crier of doom, Griff. Nobody is ever, ever...ever... going to suggest that the 6N goes to Home & Away.

by Recwatcher16 Wed Nov 30, 2016 6:56 pm

Whilst the Unions are currently 'refining' the 6N - can one of the Irish folk on here pop into the 6N office and ask why on earth those sides in the next competition who have three home games don't start and finish with a home game with the middle game at home and likewise those with three away games do the same order of fixtures.

That way England might actually get to finish a competition at home. As opposed to invariably playing the last game away and usually with SH ref. England's 6N record with that combination is abysmal. The next one is even on St. Patrick's day and whilst I doubt anything is written down or recorded on phone, the committee and TV have drawn that ball out of the tombola nicely......

by Cardiff Dave Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:08 pm

Griff wrote:
Cardiff Dave wrote:Getting rid of the goal posts would encourage try scoring too.
Just saying.

I've never understood why we don't have the American Football style of goals where the footings (is that the term?) are embedded off the back of the pitch but the uprights are still in line with the try line/'goal zone' (or whatever they call it in grid iron). Doesn't get in the way then. If we're changing the scoring system we may as well look at the goals too. Why stick with tradition

Radical.
I'm still getting used to 5 points for a try and "The 22". Lost 3 yards somewhere.

by Allty Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:40 pm

I'd like at least a point for winning a half whilst losing the game.

by SecretFly Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:47 pm

Recwatcher16 wrote:

That way England might actually get to finish a competition at home. As opposed to invariably playing the last game away and usually with SH ref. England's 6N record with that combination is abysmal. The next one is even on St. Patrick's day and whilst I doubt anything is written down or recorded on phone, the committee and TV have drawn that ball out of the tombola nicely......

The next one isn't on St Patricks Day but we'll put your idea to the Arch Bishop and see if he has the game moved back a day Wink

Anyway, are you really suggesting that some underhand plotting by committees and TV would conspire together to create a product in their own image? Oh dear, the auld Club game shenanigans are spreading Wink

Anyway 2 - are you getting excuses in early? Sure, the English are the best side in the world that aren't coloured black. It'll be easy. Don't be fretting.

Anyway 3 - maybe you should simply ask your Union whether or not they actually like things the way they are? Maybe they're all so scientific there that they've worked out exactly when their home games should happen through the campaign. Maybe they're okay with the patterns. Stop getting nervous Wink

by SecretFly Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:50 pm

Allty wrote:I'd like at least a point for winning a half whilst losing the game.

Great one! Yeah. I think we'd do good at that one.

by Cardiff Dave Wed Nov 30, 2016 8:04 pm

Allty wrote:I'd like at least a point for winning a half whilst losing the game.

I'd like the option of playing across the pitch instead of lengthways. Would suit Wales' shovel it wide game plan and JD2 would have further to run before getting dumped into touch.

by SecretFly Wed Nov 30, 2016 8:26 pm

I'm loving these new ideas. The really good ideas always come at the end

by Guest Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:09 pm

George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

"Stop press! We have a winner! The official RBS 6 Nations champions 2017 are Wales with the first ever championship 'Mixed Grand Slam' (MGS) consisting of 3 wins and two moral victories! An open top bus tour of Cardiff is planned". Smile

by milkyboy Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:31 pm

England finished second with two wins, a moral victory and two loose morals victories. A bus tour of topless bars and Lap dancing clubs in soho is planned.

by Cardiff Dave Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:49 pm

Griff wrote:
George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

"Stop press! We have a winner! The official RBS 6 Nations champions 2017 are Wales with the first ever championship 'Mixed Grand Slam' (MGS) consisting of 3 wins and two moral victories! An open top bus tour of Cardiff is planned".

Only have to finish 3rd or 4th to qualify for one of those, mun. It's the Welsh way.

by Engine#4 Wed Nov 30, 2016 11:40 pm

Cyril wrote:
bsando wrote:I think this will now encourage teams to utilize the driving maul more often instead of going for 3 points. Especially Italy who scored a good one against SA this autumn.
Excellent, so try bonus points will encourage 'up-the-jumper' rugby

Excellent, might force better policing of it

by offload Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:10 am

Pointless tinkering with a format that doesn't need it. Should put their effort into fixing the pathetic scrum ritual - now that really would improve the game.

by Breadvan Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:43 am

George Carlin wrote:I cannot believe that they turned down my suggestion of an extra 2 match points for winning a game 'morally'.

Only 3 points for a win if its "devalued"

by tigertattie Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:59 am

Points of note!

1. I like the idea of going to a home and away tourny! More international games? Suits me fine!

2. Folk moaning about scrums! It's not the scrum thats the issue. It's the time it takes to bloomin have it! Same with penalties. Why are kickers having to take a minute of standing still staring at a ball before they kick it?

by SecretFly Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:35 am

tigertattie wrote:Points of note!

1. I like the idea of going to a home and away tourny! More international games? Suits me fine!

2. Folk moaning about scrums! It's not the scrum thats the issue. It's the time it takes to bloomin have it! Same with penalties. Why are kickers having to take a minute of standing still staring at a ball before they kick it?

That's their Money shot! That's where they pick up most of their marketing potential - the old trademarked staring stance, glitches, twitches, rumbles, shivers, foot placement, knee flexing, hand-holding, preying mantis setting, shirt tugging, hair tousling - and that's only Dan to start off with!

by Cyril Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:39 am

England would have won 4 of the last 6 championships (2 additional) under these rules.

by SecretFly Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:48 am

Yeah, there are points going for 'would'a won' games too.

by R!skysports Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:29 pm

SecretFly wrote:
Griff wrote:We'll bring in bonus points, then someone will say we need home and away in the 6N so that we're more like the SH

Oh that'll never happen. That's just silly. You're being melodramatic. You're being paranoid. Nobody is saying anybody is trying to change the whole thing bit by little bit so that they don't spook the natives too much by changing it all at the same time. Don't be such a town crier of doom, Griff. Nobody is ever, ever...ever... going to suggest that the 6N goes to Home & Away.

Prefer it goes to Neighbors anyway....

by R!skysports Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:33 pm

Need to add 0.1 points for each 'World Class' player noted on a team sheet

by Gooseberry Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:43 pm

I read this is being applied retrospectively so England actually won in 2013. Admitedly the grand slam T shirts still arent much use.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:48 pm

Gooseberry wrote: I read this is being applied retrospectively so England actually won in 2013. Admitedly the grand slam T shirts still arent much use.

Bomber has already amended his CV to state he is a double 6Ns winning coach.

by 123456789 Thu Dec 01, 2016 1:58 pm

My only issue with this is the fact that an early february game at Murrayfield has a very different climate to one in Rome in late March. The latter being far more conducive to running rugby. The whole issue of home and away is another point; Italy have only ever won something like two or three games away from home in the history of the six nations. Playing them in Rome and playing them abroad is like two different teams, to a lesser extent the same applies to Scotland.
But in terms of whether it is necessary I think that's a moot point, it may be right to argue that teams will be trying to finish as close to the opposition as possible or trying to score as many tries as possible but there is no doubt that the introduction of bonus points will not in any way shape or form prevent running rugby.

by **LondonTiger** Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:13 pm

123456789 wrote:no doubt that the introduction of bonus points will not in any way shape or form prevent running rugby.

I am just being a touch pedantic, but I can imagine scenarios where a team would choose not to run the ball due to bonus points on offer.

For example - A side is 12 points up with two minutes to go and get a penalty in the opponents 22m perhaps 15m from touch - so one you expect to make. Previously they may have kicked to the corner as the win was secure and another try is always good, however with just two tries they opt to kick the penalty to absolutely ensure the opponents are unable to get an LBP

by 123456789 Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:24 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
123456789 wrote:no doubt that the introduction of bonus points will not in any way shape or form prevent running rugby.

I am just being a touch pedantic, but I can imagine scenarios where a team would choose not to run the ball due to bonus points on offer.

For example - A side is 12 points up with two minutes to go and get a penalty in the opponents 22m perhaps 15m from touch - so one you expect to make. Previously they may have kicked to the corner as the win was secure and another try is always good, however with just two tries they opt to kick the penalty to absolutely ensure the opponents are unable to get an LBP

Yeah that's fair enough, I didn't think of that. It also begs the question of if there's five minutes to go and you are 8 points behind do you go for a try to set up a grandstand finish or do you take three and play for the losing bonus point.

by SecretFly Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:45 pm

Okay, a scenario. Some teams (fanbases) like some opponent sides more than others Whistle

Are we all on the same hymn sheet on meaning? Yes? No. Okay idiots, then what I mean is Wales and England Wink

.
England and Wales wouldn't exactly be the best of pals 6Nwise. They'd probably be envious of the other side doing well as they'd then expect the banterschidt to come their way in heaps. I'm trying to think of other sides that would have salty rivalries. Perhaps Ireland v Wales, France v England. Anyway, you get the point now.

Let's say in a final weekend two sides need that try scoring bonus point to take the title. Both are playing against different opposition on the day but both are still favoured to at least win their respective games.
So the object becomes those tries. Let's say the side that is Playing Contender A side doesn't exactly like Contender B side and wouldn't be too unhappy to see that side lose out on a title. Now they won't try to fix the result by allowing themselves to lose - I wouldn't go that far. They'll try to win of course. But if they're losing towards the end and Contender A needs another try to beat Contender B to the title?

by **RDW** Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:49 pm

SecretFly wrote:Okay, a scenario. Some teams (fanbases) like some opponent sides more than others

Are we all on the same hymn sheet on meaning? Yes? No. Okay idiots, then what I mean is Wales and England .
England and Wales wouldn't exactly be the best of pals 6Nwise. They'd probably be envious of the other side doing well as they'd then expect the banterschidt to come their way in heaps. I'm trying to think of other sides that would have salty rivalries. Perhaps Ireland v Wales, France v England. Anyway, you get the point now.

Let's say in a final weekend two sides need that try scoring bonus point to take the title. Both are playing against different opposition on the day but both are still favoured to at least win their respective games.
So the object becomes those tries. Let's say the side that is Playing Contender A side doesn't exactly like Contender B side and wouldn't be too unhappy to see that side lose out on a title. Now they won't try to fix the result by allowing themselves to lose - I wouldn't go that far. They'll try to win of course. But if they're losing towards the end and Contender A needs another try to beat Contender B to the title?

6 Nations to introduce bonus points in 2017 - Page 2 0dqms2

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