The extra travelling and expense to head to Palmerston North every other week will no doubt take its toll on some, and there is also the dubious prospect of Wanganui's most promising young talent being poached by the rival union.
Some schools will argue that the stronger Manawatu competition will speed the development of their boys but it still leaves a slightly bitter taste.
The Wanganui union has said it is "powerless" to stop schools going elsewhere for their games, so perhaps there is a role for the New Zealand union to step in and stop the exodus and back up its commitment to developing grassroots rugby.
As things stand, the progress of young players through from school to Wanganui representative honours is under threat.
ALSO on a sporting note, that doyenne of netball coaches and scourge of the Silver Ferns Norma Plummer has confirmed she is bowing out.
As coach of the Australian Diamonds, the imperious Plummer broke Kiwi hearts often and now she will finish her illustrious career with the West Coast Fever at the conclusion of the Trans-Tasman League season.
The immaculate Plummer - the grande dame of understated bling and, yes, her hair coiffured to within an inch of its life - will be sadly missed.
