XTREME SOLUTION TO AN OLD PROBLEM

AN Xtreme Rugby competition will be rolled out as a solution to the sport’s traditional struggles to capture the attention of young Gold Coast adults.

Played as 15-a-side for males and seven-a-side for females, the inaugural format will be for under-18s and be played on Friday nights in a bid to attract those who work on weekends.

Gold Coast District Rugby Union chairman Kim Bending has high expectations of the “affordable” competition.

“What we have done is come up with this concept of Xtreme Rugby which is full-on rugby for the duration of the two hours that the games take place,” Bending said.

“There’s no stoppages so as soon as the halftime whistle goes, they have got to change straight over.

“If the opposition team go to halfway and tap the ball and take off, that’s it.

“That’s how the game starts again … so someone could actually score a try before the opposition have got on the paddock.

“So it’s continually rolling and it requires a standard of fitness not only by the players but by the referees as well.”

Players are to sign up via clubs, with the first of two seasons to kick off on May 4.

Picture: TY FELS Former Gold Coast Cyclones player Simon Backman helps put the extreme into Xtreme Rugby by jumping out of a plane at the launch.