Ex-Wallaby offers ‘most convenient solution’ on how British & Irish Lions series should be decided if it ends all square amid ‘super point’ debate
Former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison and the British & Irish Lions during their 2021 series against the Springboks.
Former Wallabies second-row Justin Harrison believes a penalty shootout is the best way to decide a winner of the Test series between Australia and the British & Irish Lions should it end in a draw.
The Wallabies and the Lions are set to face each other in a three-Test series in Australia with matches being played in Brisbane (July 19), Melbourne (July 26) and Sydney (August 2) respectively.
The Lions drew 1-1 with the All Blacks in New Zealand in 2017 after the third Test between the teams finished 15-15 at Eden Park.
Extra-time being discussed
Earlier this week, Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh revealed that discussions have been had about playing extra-time in the event of the eagerly anticipated series ending in a draw.
“We’ve had some really constructive conversations. That’s got to go to the Lions board around whether it’s a drawn series, or you decide it through golden point or extra time,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“Our preference, if we put the fans at the centre of everything we’re doing, I think that the familiarity that everyone has with ‘super point’ and the interest for that in our market is a good guide.
“Obviously, we will be making sure both parties agree. But I think that if you’re thinking about some fan engagement, that’s certainly very appealing.”
If a match should go beyond 80 minutes there is a possibility that extra-time will still not decide a winner and Harrison is keen for a penalty shootout to be held if that happens.
“So football, right, you are for penalty shootouts, there’s a bit of intrigue, we know there’s an immediacy of feedback when you score, but there’s still a red-white dot scenario that gives you a chance to either accelerate through a score window or not,” he said on Stan Sport’s Inside Line show.
‘Probably the most exotic, convenient solution’
“I think that’s probably the most exotic, convenient solution. Adopt the World Cup model, because by the way, all nations that are playing in the British Irish Lions and Australia have already accepted that that model is acceptable in the World Cup.
“So why would you not accept that for a British Irish Lions? You don’t need to invent something new here. This is just inheriting what’s already been in practice since 1987.”
The show’s host Michael Atkinson asked what would be the likelihood of a penalty shootout being approved to decide the series between the Wallabies and the Lions and Harrison’s could not hide his enthusiasm for the idea.
“How good would it be to see a penalty shootout in the British Irish Lions at the end of the thing?,” he replied.
And while Harrison said although he has a soft spot for the super point, he feels a penalty shootout would be the best way to decide the series if the teams play out a draw in the third and final Test.
“I like the super point, but I think the fragility of how you can end a British Irish Lions series on the back of some interpretations now and TMOs reaching in and all sorts of different things,” said the 51-year-old.
“I think that the best and fairest representation is multiple chances in extra time, multiple chances in a penalty shootout. It’s already in play with the World Cup. Let’s get on with it.”
