Kieran Read rose to the All Blacks from an unglamorous rugby education. Photo / Getty
Kieran Read rose to the All Blacks from an unglamorous rugby education. Photo / Getty
Now that traditional, heavyweight institutions are regularly accused of enticing boys as young as 14 to their rugby 'programmes', it's increasingly difficult to say that it doesn't matter what school an aspiring superstar attends.
Now that these same heavyweights even have rugby programmes that are effectively part of the curriculum,makes it increasingly difficult to say that it doesn't matter what school an aspiring superstar attends.
These same schools also have facilities that are the envy of most provincial unions and coaching staff in some cases who are paid enough to not have to dirty their hands with teaching and instead spend countless hours analysing opponents and developing strategic plans.
The All Blacks provide false hope in diluting the notion that it doesn't matter where someone goes to school. The starting XV from any of their tests last year had a majority of players from non-recognised rugby schools. Dane Coles, Charlie Faumuina, Sam Whitelock, Kieran Read, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith Julian Savea, Cory Jane and Ben Smith didn't come out of traditional, dominant rugby schools.
But the pattern will change - is already changing. Super Rugby teams are now recruiting directly from 1st XV. They don't have the time or network to scour too deeply and their focus has clearly fallen heavily on the top schools.
The Blues have signed four teenagers in the past year - all of whom they believe have the potential to drive the franchise to titles. Two of them, Akira and Rieko Ioane, have come out of the reigning 1A champion Auckland Grammar and the other two, Blake Gibson and Sam Nock, are from the dominant St Kentigern team that was unbeaten through more than 50 games.
The Blues recruited Akira Ioane out of reigning 1A champion Auckland Grammar. Photo / Getty
The New Zealand Under-20 team that started against Japan on Friday was dominated by players from traditional rugby schools - Christchurch Boys', Wellington College, Marlborough College, King's College, St Kentigern, St Peter's and Wesley.
There will always be exceptions - boys who are so good they stand out wherever they play. There is also a case to be made that players such as Kieran Read, who toiled away at Rosehill (and in fact rejected St Kentigern after a year because it wasn't for him), are shaped by the experience - that adversity gives them an edge.
