For many years, the death penalty has existed across the world as a punishment reserved solely for the most heinous crimes.

But in a historic moment, on this day, every country has elected to abolish the death penalty - and replace it with Johnathan Thurston kicking for your life, in a Game 3 decider, from the sideline, points locked at 16-all.

The certainty of the death penalty has been deemed to harsh, but some countries were unwilling to abolish outright the murder of criminals. Hence, in a joint partnership between the United Nations and Nine’s Wide World of Sports, those sentenced to death will now have the option of Johnathan Thurston kicking for your life.

Over the years of Channel Nine rugby league commentary, esteemed professionals such as Paul Vautin, Phil Gould, and Ray Warren, have often commented that “...if you had to have anyone kicking for your life, I reckon it’d be JT.” This is typically referred to in the context of another kicker being technically more proficient, or having a superior goalkicking percentage - but when it comes down to it, with your life on the line, JT is the man.

In an ironic twist, Phil Gould was busted with 22kg of Ugandan ecstasy whilst attempting to travel through Thailand, and now will be the first criminal to have the option of Johnathan Thurston kicking for his life in a pressure situation.

Gould will, as a result, commentate the kick that will decide his life.

We love to see it.