Across all sport some of the best World Cup matches have ended with nothing to separate the sides at full time. Extra time and penalties have been part of some of the greatest matches at the football World Cup. For Irish people, who could forget Italia 90.
The Cricket World Cup final ended in a tie in 2019. Of course, when it comes to Rugby Union there have been two finals, 1995 and 2003, decided in extra time.
Since its inception in 1987, the Rugby World Cup has since only 3 draws in the knockout stages, two of them being finals. There has also only been 3 draws in the pool stages, the most recent of which came when Portugal drew 18-18 with Georgia this year.
Should Ireland's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday finish in a draw, here are the rules that will decide the winner.
Extra Time And Sudden Death Rules at the Rugby World Cup
If a match ends all square at full time, there will be 20 minutes of extra time split in to two 10 minute halves with a five minute interval.
If the teams can not be separated after that, a 10 minute 'sudden death' period will follow with the first team to score declared the winner.
Penalties rules at the Rugby World Cup
Should there be nothing between the sides after 20 minutes of extra time, and should the sudden death period remain scoreless, the match will be decided by penalty kicks.
Each side selects five of the players left on the pitch and informs the referee of the order in which they will kick. The positioning of each kick is pre-determined.
This is different to the EPCR penalty format employed in the Munster v Toulouse game in 2022 where each team sent forward three kickers.
Here's a pitch map World Rugby have provided for penalties.
Ireland's quarter final against All Blacks is being touted as the biggest game in Irish Rugby Football history. If it were to finish level after 80 minutes, the nation won't have any finger nails left to bite on Saturday night.
Ireland v All Blacks kicks off on Saturday night in Paris at 20:00.
