What do Waiopehu College, Putaruru High School, Mana College and Cargill High School all have in common?
They are small coeducational state schools that have produced All Blacks – but with very rare exceptions, it’s unlikely the aforementioned schools will ever produce such athletes again.
Reaching the elite level of New Zealand rugby has become increasingly exclusive and inaccessible. While first XV rugby grapples with the demands of professionalism, it has struggled to maintain equality of competition and opportunity.
This fact is best illustrated by the recent naming of the New Zealand secondary schools development squad. A total of 53 players were selected, 21 of whom are from six private schools: St Kentigern College, King’s College, St Peter’s School, Cambridge, St Paul’s Collegiate, Scots College and Christ’s College.
According to the Ministry of Education just under five per cent of all students in New Zealand attend private schools.
Excluding preparatory, girls and special character schools, there would be no more than 20 boys first XVs among New Zealand’s private high schools, yet nearly half of the contenders for the final New Zealand team this year are from private schools.
St Peter’s College, a Catholic state boys school in Auckland, won the National XV Championship. Captain Niko Jones was the only player selected for the New Zealand camp.
St Kentigern College, a school in the same city, had eight picks.
It costs $20,569 annually for day students to attend St Kent’s. St Kent’s didn’t win the local championship despite going through the round robin undefeated. St Kent’s generous distribution of scholarships didn’t necessarily guarantee success.
The proliferation of private school boys in the New Zealand Schools team is one of the obvious signs going to the ‘right school’ is increasingly important for getting a look in at the top level – a total of 106 private school boys have represented New Zealand Schools since its inception in 1978.
Between 1978 and 2008 there were 64 private school boys who played for New Zealand. There were only 13 between 1978 and 1990, with none between 1981 and 1984. Even as recently as 2010 not a single private-school boy was selected for the final New Zealand Schools squad. Between 2011 and 2017 there have been 41 private school boys who have represent New Zealand.
The ability to offer scholarships combined with superior resources and apparently better coaching offers obvious appeal for aspiring professionals, but are private schools really that much better?
Zarn Sullivan moved from Napier Boys High School (a state school) to King’s College and made the development camp. King’s College lost the 1A Auckland final, Napier lost the National XV Championship final. Had Sullivan stayed in the Hawke’s Bay, it’s highly likely he would have made the New Zealand Schools team anyway.
The smaller concentration of talent isn’t merely confined to private schools. Attending the ‘right’ state school is essential for getting ahead.
Since 2003 Hamilton Boys High School have produced 33 New Zealand Schools representatives. Cambridge High School brothers Luke and Mitchell Jacobson are the only boys not from Hamilton or the two private schools – St Paul’s Collegiate and St Peter’s School, Cambridge – to be selected for the New Zealand Schools team from the Waikato in this period.
In the Waikato there are four schools that don’t even compete in the local First XV competition.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Hamilton Boys are superbly coached by Nigel Hotham and Greg Kirkham and have a number of strategic advantages that help their First XV program flourish, including a hostel, a large roll, historical success and a strong relationship with leading Fijian schools and the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise.
Similarly, down south, the only non-Otago Boys High School player in the last decade to make the New Zealand Schools team is Gavin Stark from Blue Mountain College.
Auckland Grammar School and Westlake Boys High School are two reputable state schools with a strong rugby reputation. As of February 2017 the average house price in the Auckland Grammar zone is $2.16 million and in the Westlake zone it’s $1.94 million. Attending certain state schools is becoming increasingly inaccessible to the average income earner.
In Australia and England rugby has almost always been the domain of wealthy private schools. New Zealand’s more egalitarian model has been seen as an advantage over our rivals.
Rugby in New Zealand is no longer a game for the ‘common man’. Satisfying the demands of a high performance while also keeping boys without the privileges of a select elite in the game is a major challenge.
In June 2018 New Zealand Rugby announced a review of secondary schools rugby in New Zealand. The final report and recommendations will be published in December.
Addressing the inherent class structure that now exists in the game is perhaps the biggest challenge rugby has faced for some time.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
Although Auckland Boys is state, you’re not going to get in unless you can afford to live in zone, or have the academic or sporting talent for an out of zone enrolment.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
I agree Sylvester, those with the best coaches and facilities will get the best talent, either through choice or scholarships. But an analysis of where the under 20s come from would give more indication of elitism.
David Baker
Roar Pro
We have a similar problem in SA... with some notable differences. The schools that produced the Boks a 100 years ago are much the same as they are today Since readmission in 1992 - here are the top 20 schools Bok wise Only 1 in the top 10 is private. 3 in the top 20 But in all those 17 government schools, rugby is a big, big deal. Alumni sponsor expensive coaches. Commercial sponsors throw money at the schools. Scholarships are used to get the best players crowding our local boys Most of the 2nd and third teams would beat most other 1st teams. Yet despite this only 15 players can start each week. The concentration of power just crowds out local boys and worse still it is no fun for the sides playing these top schools. SO we now have unofficial national 'leagues' which further increases investment in the top schools and leaves the rest out. In SA we are supposed to be spreading rugby to compensate for apartheid. We are if anything concentrating it... not by race but through elitism. Rugby deserves better Grey College 29 Paarl Gimnasium 14 Paul Roos Gymnasium 10 Diocesan College (Bishops) 8 Monument 8 Maritzburg College 7 Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool 6 Waterkloof 6 Grey High School 5 HTS Louis Botha 5 Kearsney College 5 Paarl Boys High 5 Dale College 4 Hilton College 4 Kroonstad (Blouskool) 4 Michaelhouse 4 Nelspruit 4 Oakdale, Riversdal 4 Selborne College 4 Adelaide 3
DanFan
Guest
I think you might be getting confused with Cory Jane who went to Heretaunga College, which didn't even have a team in the top grade of 1st XV. Conrad Smith did go to Francis Douglas. Spare a thought also for Nehe Milner-Skudder who went to QE college in Palmerston North, who did even have a 1st XV.
Ron
Guest
Thanks Ben for drawing attention to Feilding High, and the successes they have had in NZ schools rugby recently, and in producing ABs. In NZ the coaching system, and the selection policy , allows players to come (for example) through the schools, clubs, Local union Rugby , and then the Hurricanes development squads, to finally make it to Super Rugby, and the ABs. The same progression is lacking in OZ, where a settled career path is not evident. Lack of finance, and continual changes in structure do not help. However with a similar playing strength to say Scotland , OZ has done very well in the RWC, and this is a credit to the dedication of the players. Oh for the days of the gifted amateur !!
Hertryk
Roar Rookie
I suggest you all read the book "The Jersey" it explains how the kids are picked, coached and how they progress in Rugby in NZ. It is well very well written, and gives a clear insight on how the ABs are so successful.. The whole country and anyone involved with coaching the kids, has one aim of one day those kids will have the opportunity to wear THAT JERSEY!!!
piru
Roar Rookie
I dunno if this is all that new, I remember my dad complaining that the small town clubs and poor kids never got a look in back in the 80s.
Ben
Guest
Yet for all the millions of dollars St Kents have thrown at their 1st xv and buying players and buying championships they still have only produced 3 ABs. 2 imports in Rokocoko and Kaino and a non test AB in Duffy who imo wont be an AB again. Jeez Feilding High a little country school has more ABs and current at that. Tu'ungafaase made it from Mangere College..a decile 1 with no rugby history and he turned down all sorts of offers. Mealamu from Aorere College. Wheres that i hear you say. Read turned down St Kents and made it from Rosehill. So is our rugby turning elite? Private schools tend to buy their championships but i dont see ABs being churned out. My theory is whilst at these rich schools everything is done for them. All they have to do is turn up. They are spoilt. Suddenly when they leave school they have to do stuff for themselves. They have to do some work. Theyre not molly coddled and have smoke blown up their behind and suddenly they are small fish. Take McCaw or the Whitelocks or Barretts. All country boys with work ethics honed from getting up at dawn and hard farm work. The transition to a rugby work ethic is easy. The current ABs have a tiny number from private schools. In fact i cant think of any atm. St Peters Akld winning the Akld championship, National champ and Moascar is a victory for all those schools who dont buy their championships and import players. St Kents, Kings, Auckland Grammer, Scots, Christ College take note.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Think you’re putting the cart before the horse. The players aren’t picked just because they go to these private schools, they go to these schools because the schools are good at rugby and rugby development (and just happen to be private).
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
The one and only.Panapa whare all the way.
Play on
Roar Rookie
I thought Conrad Smith went to Upper Hutt?
moaman
Roar Guru
Danny Do they have to wear ear-protection at those "higher decibel" schools? ;-)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
A lot of research in your piece Adam, thanks but not sure it is totally relevant to the heading. I believe in the sport that is so heavily covered the cream of the last will always rise to the top. Private schools issuing generous scholarships can also distort the numbers. In summary, as the code is ingrained I do not believe (or want to believe) that rugby in NZ is only a game for the elitists.
Taubada
Guest
"In Australia, the elite level private schools dominate the lists of schools with the best academic outcomes" Don't think so - at least not in NSW, where several public high schools consistently produce the best HSC outcomes year in year out. eg James Ruse, North Sydney Boys, Sydney High, Fort St etc . Years ago those schools also had very good rugby union teams, but times (and demographics) change and consequently sporting achievements at those schools is only a distant memory in fading year books. My two grandsons attend Shore ( where btw scholastic scores are not outstanding). One plays rugby whilst the other plays soccer. AFL is now also available. Shore still provides a top level rugby coaching structure, but somehow I get the feeling its days as a schools rugby powerhouse are over.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
Danny, this is not a cheap shot, but it looks like 'decile' got autocorrected to 'decibel'. Unless some schools are louder than others, that is. In any case, despite going to school in New Zealand, I've never been able to find out exactly what 'decile' means in an educational context.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
What really matters is the quality of education at these schools. We should be comparing the academic outcomes for these boys, not how many get selected in the NZ schools rugby team. That will have a far greater impact on the lives of the vast majority of these kids and eventually on the country as a whole. In Australia, the elite level private schools dominate the lists of schools with the best academic outcomes.
Bluesfan
Agree with some of these comments - I live down the road from Mt Albert Grammar - State school and until last year - were probably top School boy team in Ackld. Ex Players include SBW, Jack Goodhue etc. So whilst Private schools do offer Scholarships etc and are always up there. Biggest names in School Boys rugby still include teams like Ackld Boys Grammar, Mt Albert, Wellington College etc etc - all State schools.
Buk
Guest
I used to live near Scots College, and have friends whose sons attend. They used to be in the third tier of Wellington schools rugby, and were real easy beats 8 or so years ago. Now they are in the top tier, through giving scholarships to players.
Zakaia Cvitanovich
Roar Pro
An interesting read. However, those schools offer scholarships. The Boys' High Schools (Nelson College, Christchurch Boys' High School etc) dotted all over the country produce top rugby players. The Barrett's (and Conrad Smith) went to Fransic Douglas Memorial College which is a state integrated Catholic school. In fact here are the top 10 ABs producing schools in NZ: Auckland Grammar (State) 48 ABs Christchurch Boys' High (State) 42 ABs Wellington College (State) 33 ABs New Plymouth Boys' High School (State) 24 ABs Southland Boys' High School (State) 21 ABs Christ's College (Independent Anglican) 20 ABs Otago Boys' High School (State) 19 ABs Nelson College (State) 18 ABs Timaru Boys' High School (State) 18 ABs Sacred Heart College (Catholic) 17 ABs. This list doesn't look elitist to me. (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/photos/sport/producers-schools-with-great-all-black-pedigrees/)
Danny
Roar Rookie
Yep stillmissit, much the same happens here in Brisbane with schools, as I say I know what Adam is saying about players mainly coming form certain schools, I was more pointing out it not really making it elitist, just that schools are picking the best players so that is how it will mostly always be. The same happens in Soccer, Cricket etc etc.