British and Irish Lions 2025: Lions consider golden point extra time proposal

The British and Irish Lions board is considering a proposal for sudden-death extra time if a deciding third Test this summer against Australia finishes in a draw.

Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh revealed he suggested at meetings in London that ‘golden point’ extra time – which means the first team to score wins – should be played in such circumstances.

In 2017, the Lions and New Zealand shared the series after the deciding third Test finished 15-15, with captain Sam Warburton saying it was “a bit of an anticlimax for the players”.

Former New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen said the draw was “a bit like kissing your sister and no-one wants that”.

“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,” Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald., external

“Our preference, if we put the fans at the centre of everything we’re doing, I think that the familiarity that everyone has with ‘golden 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.”

For regular season games this year, Super Rugby Pacific brought in ‘golden point’,, external where if the teams are level at full-time then an 10 minutes of extra time is played, with a draw then declared if there is no winning score.

In April, Australian side Western Force and New Zealand’s Hurricanes played out a thrilling 17-17 draw, with no score in extra time.

For Super Rugby Pacific knockout games, two 10-minute periods of standard extra time are played.

If the teams are still level, up to 10 minutes of golden point extra time are played, followed by a kicking competition if necessary.