Penalties to decide S15 finals

Sydney - Super Rugby matches in the three-week playoffs starting this weekend will be decided by penalty shootouts if the teams remain deadlocked after extra time, governing body SANZAR said on Tuesday.

Teams that play to a draw in regular time would be given two 10-minute periods of extra time, then another 10-minute period of "sudden death" if needed, in which the first team to score would be awarded victory.

Should the score remain level after the "sudden death", the teams would have a kicking competition, SANZAR said in a statement.

Teams would each nominate five players to take shots at the posts from set positions on the 22 and 15-metre lines with victory awarded to the most accurate kicking side.

"Previously, if there was no winner after extra time the honours would be shared," a SANZAR spokesperson said.

The finals of the southern hemisphere provincial competition kick off this weekend with the Blues hosting the Waratahs on Friday in an elimination final.

Seven-times champions the Crusaders host another knock-out final against the Sharks in Nelson, New Zealand, on Saturday.