Editorial: Footy's dreaded deadlock

Both Hamilton Boys' and their Hastings Boys' adversaries were robbed of a proper outcome on Saturday, writes Mark Story.

Following the British Lions' series stalemate, rugby fans claimed there was nothing worse than a draw.

We were wrong.

Worse is when two teams draw the final, only for one to be declared winner by an arcane rule that decrees that first try-scorer shall be victor.

Such was the initial outcome at the conclusion of Saturday's televised Super 8 final 12-all draw between Hastings Boys' and Hamilton Boys' in Hastings.

But thankfully yesterday came the news that the powers that be had decided the current laws provided that the two teams share the trophy.

That was welcome news, because so arbitrary was that piece of rugby bureaucracy, that a more equitable way to decide would have been a robust game of paper-rock,-scissors.

Standing behind the southern posts at the final whistle, amid hundreds of spectators, I watched as the Hamilton team's celebration was met with confusion from everyone bar the referee.

Unlike test cricket, where a drawn outcome has become the probable outcome, rugby deadlocks by comparison are uncommon. Thus, footy's fine print rarely sees the light of day.

But, why was there no provision for the more equitable season points differential and/or extra time, beggars belief.

And, as a colleague asked yesterday, whatever happened to the need to defeat the incumbent trophy holder before you can be declared winner?

Philosophically, you could argue both sides lost on Saturday; both robbed of a bona fide result.

A post-mortem is now academic, but the calibre of rugby - and the occasion - certainly deserved better. Here's hoping the officials and administrators are on the same page next time.