If this sounds like the kind of rugby you would like to see then the Welsh Rugby Union’s head of rugby performance Geraint John would be the first to agree with you.
John and his colleagues in Welsh Rugby’s engine room have been tinkering with the rule book and a ‘nip’ here and a ‘tweak’ there has produced an eye-opening set of on-field stats set to feed future thinking around the pathway to the top of Wales’ national sport.
Dubbed the ‘Super 6’ tournament, Under-18 teams from the four Regional academies were joined by a contingent of England based Welsh qualified youngsters and a side from RGC 1404 in North Wales, at Cardiff Arms Park this Autumn.
The sides were asked to prepare for a competition which would include significant rule changes to the normal fifteen-a-side game, each specifically designed to produce a new way of playing which showcases passing and handling skills, evasive running and lightning-quick decision making under pressure.
As a consequence of the revised rules ball in play time in all matches was up by 10 per cent across the board, the rate of territorial kicking was halved and the number of line-breaks and passes per game was more than doubled – in comparison to a normal Regional Age Grade match.
Each of the six sides played three 40-minute games throughout the day, but it wasn’t just match-day that was geared up for increased ball in play time, intensity and building expressive skills, each academy side also had access to facilities and expertise at WRU’s national centre of excellence for the week building up to Super 6.
“The event has been a resounding success and really hit the nail on the head for us in terms of skill development, nurturing playing styles and player identification,” said John.
“This is not only something that we will be doing again under the Super 6 banner, but we will also be looking to roll some of the content out in other ways across the WRU age groups and regional academies.
“The stats from the day make fascinating reading, with ball in play time up by nearly 25% to 36 minutes in a 40 minute period.
“Players weren’t allowed to take penalty kicks at goal or conversions and we gave them just 10 seconds to make their plays from any penalties that were awarded.
“Open field kicks were discouraged with no ground gained for any kicks going out on the full and any lineouts had to be completed within 20 seconds of the referee making his mark.
“Only one maul ‘Power Play’ could be called each half with teams operating rolling subs and every squad player being guaranteed to start at least one match.
“We used the event to identify talent, but also constructed it such a way as to allow talent to shine through.
“The event is about letting players play, we are looking for more time with the ball in hand, giving players the freedom to play, to make their own decisions during an open game and a game in which the best players can’t help but make and impact.
“Our whole ethos at this level is about allowing the kids to play, so we make sure they all get game time and that as many as possible are invited down. We don’t want to become too elitist to early, we need a wide net and we can’t lose sight of the fact that the game is about enjoyment for both those playing and those watching.
“Our pathway is looking good, but we are constantly striving to improve, we ask ourselves: are we playing the right way to benefit the national team in the long run and if we are not, we make the change.
“If you look at the recent November internationals 86% of the players on show were from our pathway, so we know the work we are doing now is going to bear influence in five, ten and even twenty years’ time – 20 years when you think about the influence we can have on coaching at age group level too.
“We’ll know for sure in 2023 how the work we are doing now is benefitting Wales, but from the talent on show at the Super 6 event we are expecting great things.
“The best thing is that we are all in the same room and fighting for the same cause, that being four successful Regions and a successful national team.”
The coaches and players from each of the Super 6 sides received expert advice on all aspects of the game such as nutrition, analysis, recovery and general good practices as the Union and the Regions begin to reap the benefits of their newfound close relationship inspired by WRU CEO Martyn Phillips.
“We have a clear strategy in Welsh Rugby, with coaching and coach development a central priority at all levels of the game,” said Phillips.
“Events like Super 6 can only lead to even better relationships, sharing and alignment of coaching philosophies.
“There is some real inspirational thinking going on here in terms of coach development, player retention, talent identification and the nurturing of the latent talent we have available to us across Welsh Rugby – from the Regional academies and WRU age grade sides to North Wales and Welsh exiles – and we will all continue to work hard together to develop it.”
Gethin Watts, WRU Age Grade Performance Manager, was a key member of the WRU team which organized the Super 6 initiative in conjunction with the Regional Academy managers and coaches.
“We spent the week leading up to event day working on coach development,” added Watts.
“We have the likes of Brian Ashton and also Ian Mitchel (from the FAW) to thank for their contributions in this area, discussing being innovative and doing things that will make a difference.
“This is the aim of “Super 6” – it is about trying to make a difference and developing players for what we want and expect in the future as well as what can be achieved in the present.
“The day was met with enthusiasm from all parries and we have to say a big ‘thank you’ to the Regional Academy Managers and Coaches for their support, for embracing something different and for seeing the big picture.”
