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Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has confirmed that New Zealand Rugby has tabled an NRL-style 'golden point' system to decide drawn games in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
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"It has been tabled by New Zealand Rugby and the coaches have been part of that discussion as well," Mauger said on Wednesday.
"I think it's a great idea. It's great for the spectacle. You can get a clear winner or loser."
According to the Stuff website, the proposal is in line with NZ Rugby's commitment to being innovative in Super Rugby Aotearoa, and although major rule changes are unlikely to be made the golden-point system would add some spice to a 10-week competition that doesn't have a finals system.
Draws were surprisingly common in Super Rugby last year, with each New Zealand franchise involved in at least one drawn game.
The Highlanders drew with both the Chiefs and the Bulls in Dunedin last year, the former a 31-31 thriller that left both sides ultimately unhappy.
The Crusaders also recorded two stalemates, drawing 21-21 with both the Sharks in Christchurch and 19-19 with the Stormers in Cape Town.
The extra-time system to decide would put even more emphasis on fitness in what is already likely to be a gruelling Super Rugby Aotearoa competition, which is likely to be won by the last team standing.
Super Rugby Aotearoa will kick off on Saturday, 13 June with one match played every Saturday and Sunday on a home-and-away basis.
