Points for a bye: Why?

[travelling_gerry]

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 8:44



The first round of the expanded Super Rugby season produced several surprises, none more so than the fact that teams on a bye would receive four points.

Although it was written into the rules, few people in the broader populace knew about it - until this past weekend.

iafrica.com approached SANZAR CEO Greg Peters for an explanation as to the reasoning behind this extraordinary step.

Here is his reply:

"This was discussed by SANZAR last year. With the conference structure of the competition it was decided to give four points to a team on a bye and I should stress this is being used in other sporting codes as well.

"It gives relativity to a team on the conference table and gives a better view of the position of a team by giving a team with a bye four points.

"For example, if you had a bye in Round One [like the Stormers] you will be well down the table.

"It gives some relativity to the real likely finishing position between teams in the three conferences."

Asked if the standings will not balance out by the season's end, whether you give points for a bye or not, he said yes, it does balance out.

"However, this was done because a team can often look like its fallen behind on the log, even when you see it has one game in hand."

For clarity, points will be awarded in all 2011 Super Rugby matches on the following basis:
Win: Four points
Draw: Two points
Loss: One point for loss within seven points or less of the team that wins
Loss: No points for loss of more than seven points
Bonus points: One point for four tries or more
Bye: Four points for every bye

http://sport.iafrica.com/news/708990.html

[WF2006]

Didn't think we were all that dumb?

2 points would make more sense. 4 points would do the opposite of what his argument implies.

i.e. "However, this was done because a team can often look like its fallen behind on the log, even when you see it has one game in hand."

but really, by handing out 4 points a team could look like it has fallen ahead on the log?

[todd4]

I like the idea of 4 points for a bye.

[slomo]

could be the only points the rebels get all year................

[jargan83]

"For example, if you had a bye in Round One [like the Stormers] you will be well down the table.

"However, this was done because a team can often look like its fallen behind on the log, even when you see it has one game in hand."

Good way to dumb down the table for simpletons. The table would even out as the bye filters through the comp

[slomo]

could be the only points the rebels get all year................

ill take that back....... after tonights win!....

[palitu]

could be the only points the rebels get all year................

nope...

[Darren]

rugby webmasters over the world are looking at their code trying to figure out how to implement this

Should I award all bye points now, at the start of the round, at the end of the round, or at the end of the season ...

[brokendown gunfighter]

the bye should get the bye bye

[maelkann]

Can you create a dummy 'Bye' team or something, then hide them?

[Burgs]

Rumour has it that Melbourne will also get the bonus point on their Bye...

[shasta]

Rumour has it that Melbourne will also get the bonus point on their Bye...

Is Kaplan in charge of the bye?

[GIGS20]

It doesn't matter how many points you give for the bye, it balances out in the end, but it's inevitable that some mediocre teams will climb the ladder during their bye week. I reckon two points is fair for a bye, it matches a draw and is therefore not a benefit nor a hindrance.......there was no real need to change though.

[jargan83]

Well at least the 4 points for the bye is keeping us off the bottom of the table for the moment

[Happy]

i still don't understand why .. can someone explain it to me ?