Score capping ridiculous - losing coach (+ video reaction)

The recorded result knocked 11 points off the total. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The might of Manukau Rovers under-12s were no match for a well-drilled East Tamaki, losing their match 63-17 on Saturday, but not officially.

Under new rules brought in by the New Zealand Rugby Union the score now reads 52-17, something even the losing coach thinks is "ridiculous".

Paane Tutuila coaches the Manukau side, who were down by about 30 points at halftime.

His side scored three quick tries in the second half before East Tamaki ran away with the match.

Under the NZRU's Small Blacks development programme for children aged 13 and under, coaches from opposing sides can meet at halftime if one side has put on 35 or more points against the other to agree on how they can "generate a more-even contest".

The programme also sees the winning margin capped in junior rugby games at 35 points - an idea that has been largely slated by some ex-All Blacks and dozens of Herald readers with many saying the change was politically correct.

Mr Tutuila said he had not had any discussions with any opposing coaches this year when it was clear his side was either going to thrash the other team or get a hiding themselves.

"But in this game I did want to even things up because we were losing by about 30 points at halftime ... but the ref never took any notice so we just carried on."

He agreed with the idea of changing or resting better or bigger players for a more even contest but could not see any point in capping scores.

"Our first competition game we played Waitemata and we beat them 63-nil. We didn't realise then that it was a 35-point differential and if we had we would have played some of our younger boys."

"I can see what they are trying to do and it's good because some of the teams in this competition have boys that are like 14-year-olds but capping the score? It's ridiculous."

East Tamaki co-coach and former All Black Eric Rush said the NZRU's intentions were good but a lot of coaches tried to make games fairer without the points capping.

Rush said he would "definitely" take players off the field or swap boys around to make things fairer.

"This week we are playing Waitemata so I will start all my young boys and all the good players will sit on the sideline," he said.

"If we are playing a hard game that is when all our good boys will stay on for most of the game, it works out so all the boys get a run, that's the important thing."

An email to Auckland rugby club delegates suggested teams rest star players and give reserve players more playing time to make games "more even and sporting".

Scores of 100-nil are now posted on the Auckland Rugby Union's website as 35-nil.