All Black hero slams NZRU

Dejae Adlam's Rotorua Maroon team beat Whakatane 48-0 ... but under the Rugby Union's new rules, the score would be officially recorded as 35-0. Photo / APN

All Black legend Sean Fitzpatrick says the NZRU's decision to doctor kids' rugby scores is the type of reason he has written his latest book.

The NZRU Small Blacks development programme for children 13 and under has decided 35-0 is the maximum points differential permitted in recorded scores to make heavily-defeated teams feel better.

Some rugby followers have called it political correctness gone mad.

Fitzpatrick, who has carved out a career as a motivational speaker based in the UK, said his book, Winning Matters, encourages people to be the best they can.

The NZRU ruling would breed the notion it was okay to lose.

"Not everyone can be an All Black. Not everyone can be a master chef. Not everyone can be the best accountant or business leader.

"But it's all about saying to yourself: 'I want to be successful. I want to be a winner'."