A history of penalty shootouts in rugby

A history of penalty shootouts in rugby

Saturday's Champions Cup quarter-final between Munster and Toulouse produced a rare occurrence in rugby as the game had to be decided on a shootout. 

While knock out games in football will often go to penalty shootouts, the occurrence in rugby is far rarer. 

We take a look at some of the other games to have come down to a shootout after the sides could not be separated.

Munster v Toulouse - 2022



Munster and Toulouse have produced enthralling Champions Cup matchups in the past and Saturday's encounter was no different.


The sides were level at 14 apiece at halftime and couldn't be separated after 80 minutes as the sides remained levelled at 24 all.

Extra time did not break the deadlock either and in the end it was Antoine Dupont's successful kick that won it for the French side.

Biarritz v Bayonne - 2021

We start with last season's TOP14 access match between Biarritz and Bayonne with the Basque derby serving up a classic as Biarritz secured passage back to the Top 14 for the 2021/22 season.

The sides could not be separated after 100 minutes of action level six points apiece. Both sides slotted their opening five shots at goal before Bayonne's Aymeric Luc was the first to miss.

Former England flanker Steffon Armitage stepped up and nailed the sudden death kick to win it.

 

Ireland U18 vs Georgia U18 - 2007

The examples of shootouts taking place in professional rugby is few and far between but at youth level is slightly more common.

During the 2207 FIRA-AER U-18 European Championship in Dax, Georgia claimed two shootout wins to book a place in the final.

The game between Ireland and Georgia finished level at 8 points apiece and with no extra-time in the tournament, the game went straight to penalties.

Georgia ultimately beat Ireland before doing the same to Italy after a 6-6 draw after 80 minute Georgia won 5-4 on penalties.

 Shimlas U-21 v Tuks - 2014

 

South Africa's U-21 Varsity Cup produced one in 2014.

A 14-man University of Free State Shimlas U-21 side beat its University of Pretoria Tuks counterpart 3-1 in a very rare shootout at the end of the Varsity Cup Young Guns final.

The match had ended 17-17 after extra time.  

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