The losing bonus point

I had a good rant about this to the wife the other evening and she mentioned that instead of moaning to her I should put it here, as this is what this blog is for - sort of!

The basic crux of the matter is this.  Bonus points for scoring a set number of trys is good - it encourages attacking play which makes the game more compelling for the spectator which should help to keep attendances and viewers up.  It also rewards teams for being good - or better than their opposition at least.  All good.

Should there also be a bonus point for dramatic try scoring dives ?!!?

Then you can get a bonus point for losing narrowly.  Lets get this straight - you get rewarded, for losing.  For being the worse team, you get a reward. 

Nevermind, you lost.  Here have a point to cheer you up.

This has all come about after France lost to Tonga but still qualified because they got a losing bonus point.  Here was me hoping that France had been knocked out and that England would have the task of taking on a lesser nation in the quarter finals. 

Nevermind lads, losing bonus point was all we needed

The counter argument is that it gives a team who are likely to lose something to play for instead of letting the game slide into a dull win.  I'm sorry - aren't the people playing meant to be professional.  Irrespective of what the scoreline is - shouldn't you be busting a gut to go out and try and win?  Everyone loves a good comeback - it's what makes great, memorable sporting occasions (different sport I know, but think Man Utd v Bayern Munich in 1999, or France v New Zealand in the 1999 world cup).

My personal opinion is that at the end of the day, the losing bonus point is just a way to reward mediocrity and should be disposed of.  If you lose, you lose.  Tough shit, but hey, that's sport - and that's why we love it and love winning.