The mercy rule is often used in America in football, soccer and a few other sports. For example, in certain baseball leagues, it’s brought in if a team is ten runs ahead at the end of the seventh, and the game is called.
But as far as I know, there isn’t a mercy rule in international rugby as there is, I believe, in junior rugby.
So if Wales are up by, say, 70 points with 15 minutes to go on Saturday, or if Ireland are up by about the same amount on the 28th at Croke Park, should the game be called? And if so, what happens then?
Recently, a private Christian high school in Texas, Covenant, defeated basketball opponents, Dallas Academy, by 100 points.
Covenant was jubilant, but when the story made headlines, partly because Dallas Academy has only 20 girls enrolled, and some of those are in Special Ed, Covenant was hit by winner’s remorse and forfeited the win.
They sent a humble apology saying that the crushing victory did not reflect a “Christ-like and honorable approach to competition.”
So, if Wales and Ireland lay some major hurt on England with embarrassing lopsided victories, do you think they should apologize and promise to be more Christ-like next time, or just leave England to get over it as best they can?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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