WELLINGTON – The tackles still crunch and the darks arts of the front row remain, but don’t expect to see the big men fly in New Zealand’s weight-restricted rugby competition.
New Zealand Rugby set up a national tournament this year that allows only players weighing 85 kilograms (187lb, 13st 5lb) or less to compete, an innovation that has proved immensely popular among the game’s grassroots.
Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry believes the competition will lift flagging player participation rates and has the potential to boost the game’s appeal…