Highlanders rake Liam Coltman is the first on the production line as he joined the All Blacks in Wellington yesterday (mon) ahead of Saturday's test against Australia at the Cake Tin and All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said the new initiative was a positive plan.
``I think it's pretty clear the reasons that have led to it,'' Foster said of the idea. ``We've stated that hooker's an area that we do want to develop some young players and I wouldn't call it an academy. I think we'll be loosely using the word `apprenticeship'. It's just a chance to bring a few young players in to give them a taste of what it's like and I guess for us to get to know them a little bit more too. So this week it's Liam's turn and hopefully he'll leave the week with a good understanding of what it's like to be an international player and we've got a better knowledge
of where he is.''
One would assume Chiefs youngster Rhys Marshall would be another who will get a chance to spend a week in the All Blacks' camp, while other possibilities include Hurricane Motu Matu'u, Crusader Ben Funnell or Blues back-ups Quentin MacDonald and James Parsons.
Hore also gave the new scheme his seal of approval.
"It's pretty exciting, really. Obviously as you get a bit older it's good to be able to train other people; and to teach someone I suppose you've really got to know what you're doing as well,'' Hore said.
"So it makes you sharpen your own axe up as you're working with these guys.''
Hore mentioned yesterday he wouldn't mind a sabbatical next year with the 2015 World Cup in mind but it was more likely his tongue was firmly placed in his cheek when he suggested taking the summer off so he could spend time on the farm.