Super 12 sideline almost decided by toss of a coin

By MONIQUE DEVEREUX

Robert Boyd held off nearly 100,000 competitors for months to win a Super 12 virtual-sports tipping game, but his victory was almost decided by the flip of a coin.

Mr Boyd tuned into the final in the minute before the end of the game on Saturday only to encounter a bittersweet scenario.

His favoured team, the Crusaders, was losing - but the margin between the teams was not the one chosen by Mr Boyd's nearest rival in the online game Virtual Super 12, meaning Mr Boyd could not be topped as highest scorer, and would win a luxury rugby trip package for two to the Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney.

However, Daniel Carter's overtime try "changed the game somewhat".

The 47-33 final score gave another player, "The Rayzor", maximum points in the virtual game. He had chosen the Brumbies to win by 12 points or less, and Mr Boyd could not bring himself to pick against his beloved Crusaders.

So at the top of the table Mr Boyd, aka karaokerob, and Auckland supporter The Rayzor, were tied.

Virtual Super 12 rules stated that in the event of a tie the winner would be selected at random by the judges.

"And that was the original plan until I got a phone call from the Rugby Union" on Monday afternoon, Mr Boyd said.

It transpired that The Rayzor had a close relative working for Telecom - a major sponsor of the Rugby Union-run tipping game - and though he was allowed to play he was not eligible to receive prizes.

"Before then they were just going to get us together with a referee, blow the whistle and toss a coin. So it was a pretty close win," Mr Boyd said.

"Pity the Crusaders couldn't have hung on and done the same."

Now for Mr Boyd - whose true passion is English football - the only choice left for the Super 12 season is deciding who to take to Sydney with him.