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Small Blacks

The new changes will provide: 

  • Better development experiences for players as the begin and learn rugby. 
  • Better engagement opportunities. Smaller teams means more opportunities to develop those skills and become better rugby players. These changes mean more tries, more touches of the ball and more opportunities to develop their skills.  
  • More coachable moments for coaches as they are dealing with less complexity and fewer numbers (at Under 8s) during a key transition. 
  • Less disruption to teams as numbers remain the same from Under 7s to Under 8s.

Small Blacks U6-U7 field size reduced to ¼ field.

  • Primary purpose is to enhance player experience.
  • Application – all U6 and U7 rugby

 

Small Blacks U8 field size reduced to ¼ field, and scrums and lineouts are removed.

  • Primary purpose is to enhance player experience
  • Application – all U8 rugby phased in over 3 years

Summary:

  • By 2023 if not earlier as determined by Provincial Union - U7 = Change to ¼ Field 
  • By 2024 if not earlier as determined by Provincial Union - U8 = 7-a-side, no scrum and lineout.

TACKLE

Trial

All tackles must target, and initially contact below the sternum. i.e., “the tummy” or below – Sanction PK

If a second tackler arrives, this player will be subject to the standard high tackle rugby law (no higher than the nipple line of the ball carrier) – Sanction PK

If two or more tacklers arrive at the same time, at least one must target, and initially contact below the sternum i.e., “the tummy” or below, whilst the other/s will be subject to the existing high tackle rugby law (no higher than the nipple line of the ball carrier) – Sanction PK

Why:

The lowering of the tackle height is intended to reduce the incidence of injuries in the tackle.

Community rugby participants have told New Zealand Rugby they want improvements made to the tackle. Feedback from community grades trialling the reduced tackle height in the 2022 season found that 78% of participants believed it improved the tackler’s safety, 72% thought there were more opportunities for offloads and 73% felt it made the game faster.

Potential Benefits

Improved safety for both tackled player and tackler, greater confidence when taking contact for tacklers and tackled players, more effective tackle technique, allowing more opportunity for the defensive side to contest for the ball after the tackle has been made.

More offloads in the tackle and, consequently, a faster game

Who

All Small Blacks grades that tackle.