This weight-tiered model is seen as a safer and fairer version of junior rugby as it ensures there are no outrageous physicality mismatches and limits the incidence of car-crash collisions.
But this is by no means a panacea. In 2018, a study conducted by New Zealand data firm Dot Loves Data found youth players who had been forced to play with older children due to weight restrictions were more likely to leave the sport.
Michael Bradley/Stuff
Former England hooker Steve Thompson (centre) is among eight former players planning to sue rugby's authorities for negligence over their treatment of concussions.
In essence, this solution presents a similar problem to gifted youngsters in the UK who play up a year. They might be too strong for their peers, it might aid their development, but there is nothing like playing with your mates.