Changes to Welsh Rugby Youth Development Structure

Following the humiliating 92-0 drupping to the kiwis in the under 20 world cahmpionship, Roger lewis said there would be a total review of rugby development in Wales. One shake up includes the 'Minis to Millenium' that will change the following rules in what the WRU describe as more developed and skillfull rugby players.

Key rule changes

'The full player pathway model is outlined in the ‘Minis to Millennium’ booklet that has being distributed to all clubs, schools and coaches over the summer but the key rule changes are as follows:

- In order to speed up the game, changes were made to the rules governing the ruck. For example, no ruck is now allowed to be formed at Under 9. At Under 10 and Under 11, only one opposition player and one attacking player can contest for the ball in a ruck situation.

- In order to help the game flow and encourage passing and the off load, players can now only tackle at waist level or lower at Under 9, Under 10 and Under 11. This also enables players to touch the ball more often, adds to the ball in play time and helps to teach good tackle technique.

- To aid the development of the player in the scrum and to help open up the field of play to encourage attacking rugby, changes have been made to the scrum rules. While scrums are now introduced at Under 9, they are passive until Under 12. At Under 9 and Under 10, the team putting i the ball must also win it and at Under 11, hookers may strike for the ball. At Under 12, teams can push up to 0.5 metres which is gradually increased with Under 14 teams following IRB rules which allow pushing up to 1.5 metres.

- Line-out. Up to Under 12 rugby, the opposition cannot now contest for the ball in the line-out which helps players to develop their jumping and catching skills without the pressure of losing the ball. At Under 13, uncontested lifting is introduced to develop technique (previously it was allowed from Under 10), with contesting introduced at Under 14.'

the full article is at http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2011/08/18/wru-announce-major-rules-shake-up-for-junior-rugby-in-wales-91466-29259908/. So what do people think? are these positive steps by the WRU?.
welsh-matfield

I dont think there's anything controversial there. All designed to get kids playing the game in a relatively safe way. Kids can concentrate on the running, passing, correct tackling and tactical side of the game and have the more technical aspects introduced gradually. Good thing.

maybe their selection policies should change too, they may start picking from the right age-group for the matches, i.e. no 17 and 18 year olds playing for the under-20's against much more physically mature opponents.

Turkster wrote:maybe their selection policies should change too, they may start picking from the right age-group for the matches, i.e. no 17 and 18 year olds playing for the under-20's against much more physically mature opponents.

Dream on :/