Whether we like to admit it or not, luck plays a big role in all sports. Even the organizers are aware of this and try to come up with systems that more accurately measure team’s performance. Of course, there is nothing wrong with games where luck plays a major element. Take casino games for example, they are widely played online, and gamblers find them exciting. However, players don’t like to pick casino brands at random, they are more comfortable with trusted brands. You can check out Auspokiesguide to find out how to find reliable operators and to learn which brands they’ve identified as solid picks. This is one of the fastest ways to uncover valuable promos, casinos with the best game selection, or the top mobile app.
The reason why people love games of luck is because they can get big rewards. That’s especially true nowadays when you can gamble on a budget. All you have to do is look at the research of the best bonuses available for $10 and you’ll find plenty of options. But when it comes to sports, it will always feel bad if your team gets eliminated because the opponents got lucky. So, to reduce the influence of luck factors many sports have come up with point systems. These aren’t exactly perfect solutions but they are more satisfying compared to the winner-takes-all concept. Here we will look at bonus point systems that Six Nations to determine the ranking of rugby teams.
Overview of the Six Nations Championship
Much like it’s name suggests, this is a rugby competition between 6 nations:
- England
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Wales
- France
- Italy
It is also called Guinness Six Nations because because Guinness became the title sponsor in 2018. But its name changes to Greatness Six Nations when it is held in France because their laws prohibit alcohol promotions in sports. The tournament started way back in 1883 as the Home Nations Championship, then changed to the Five Nations Championship in 1910, and took its current name in the year 2000.
Each nation has one stadium dedicated for hosting this competition, apart from France which has 3. The tournament starts on the first weekend in February and the finals take place mid-March. This gives enough time for teams to play each other once, and determine who has the best score using the point system.
Explanation of Bonus Points
In truth, Six Nations bonus point system isn’t that different from a standard point system that is used in other rugby competitions.
- If a team wins they are awarded 4 points
- If the match ends in a draw both teams get 2 points
- If a team loses they get 0 points
- Scoring 4 or more tries during the match awards 1 point
- If a team lost with a score difference of 7 or lower they also get 1 point
- If a team wins all 5 of their matches they get awarded extra 3 points. This is called the Grand Slam and it is a rule unique to Six Nations Championship
Below is the table that details how teams are scored in all scenarios:
| Match Outcome | Awarded points | Bonus point for 4 or more tries scored | Bonus point for losing by 7 or fewer | Total Score |
| Victory | +4 | Yes (+1) | N/A | 5 |
| Victory | +4 | No (+0) | N/A | 4 |
| Tie | +2 | Yes (+1) | N/A | 3 |
| Tie | +2 | No (+0) | N/A | 2 |
| Loss | 0 | Yes (+1) | Yes (+1) | 2 |
| Loss | 0 | Yes (+1) | No (+0) | 1 |
| Loss | 0 | No (+0) | Yes (+1) | 1 |
| Loss | 0 | No (+0) | No (+0) | 0 |
So the maximum number of points a team can get per win is 5, and they can win an extra 3 points if they win in all 5 matchups. This system was adopted in 2017, and this same point system has been used in both the Rugby World Cup and Rugby Championship for a long time. The Grand Slam bonus point rule was added to avoid scenarios where a team beats all 5 opponents and still has a lower score than someone who won 4 matches and scored a maximum number of points on each victory and that one loss.
This competition also has other rewards for the teams depending on their achievements, or even failures. A team that places last or has the lowest score will get a Wooden Spoon. Also, there is a Tripple Crown reward that is available for Home Nation competitors England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Whoever beats all 3 of their opponents gets the Triple Crown.
Conclusion
That wraps up how points work in Six Nations tournaments. Overall it’s a good system and the Grand Slam rule makes sense in this context. It awards victories and it awards the efforts of the losing team as well.
