In an age of power-running centres and 130kg tight forwards, a weight-limited pilot competition in Melbourne is starting to tip the scales.
Rugby Victoria's inaugural senior men's U85kg competition wrapped up this week with Power House, Melbourne University, Melbourne Unicorns and Monash University taking part in an eight-week program.
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Reigning Dewar Shield holders Power House took out Wednesday night's decider over Melbourne University but all four clubs - and rugby across the state - should be claiming victory after sharp increases in participation and positive player feedback.
Of the 130 registered players, 70 were new to rugby or hadn't pulled on the boots in the past two years.
The broad size-range of participants saw the lightest weighing in at 55kgs, though the sight of players sweating out a quick run to make their pre-match weigh-in was commonplace
But the most promising outcome of all was the influx of school leavers and tertiary students with an average U85kg participant age (24) five years younger than an average Rugby Victoria senior men's participant (29).
It's an injection of new rugby blood that coaches like Power House Director of Rugby Eric Tom have been calling for.
