No doubt there is logic behind the u16's. I assume the continuity between juniors and teenagers has taken priority. However it does create a big gap between juniors and seniors. The danger arises when u17's start playing senior rugby as their next step. At the moment the competition does everything it can do to protect youngsters coming through. The referees are cognizant, the coaches are aware, SIRU requires under 18's to be signed off by a Level 2 coach.
However, the problem arises when 2 clubs with different goals meet. This year the Steamers were using a surfeit of younger under age players particularly in 3rd Grade and then later on in 2nd Grade. Earlier in the year there were games (one very competitive club in particular) where our 3rd Grade (with young guys and old boys) played a 3rd grade chock full with 1st Grade players, who didn't train so much and had to come up through the grades. Now both clubs are well within their rights to approach a game like this as they see fit, but unless SIRU considers a way to use 3rd grade as a stepping stone, I fear firstly we will lose those juniors who won't see any benefit in getting bashed around and secondly there could be some serious injury.