Schoolboy players hope to repeat year
Anxiety is building for some First XV rugby teens who say playing in front of no fans could be the difference between a career in black or one in prison-issue clothing.
It sounds extreme, but some school rugby players rely on their last eligible year of First XV as the final showcase to secure a professional contract.
Due to the coronavirus restrictions, when rugby returns at the schoolboy level it will be without the large crowds we are used to seeing.
No fans means no talent scouts, either. And that has players concerned.
So much so that a group of Auckland First XV players Stuff spoke with said that if theywere not able to showcase their talents in front of the right people, they would consider returning for another year of school.
‘‘I know there’s the possibility of streaming games [online], stuff like that. But unless we get to actually play in front of scouts, and they can watch us in person, it’s going to be tough,’’ one boy, who wished to remain anonymous, said.
‘‘So yeah, I amseriously considering repeating. A lot of us are, at other schools too. If it potentially means the difference between getting an opportunity or not, absolutely.
‘‘For me it’s rugby or, I don’t know, possibly jail. And I know First XV is the best chance I will get.’’
It’s not uncommon for players to repeat. The likes of Highlanders lock Pari Pari Parkinson and sevens star Rocky Khan both repeated year 13 and played First XV again, before going on to play professionally.
For the most part it’s rare, but the restrictions on large gatherings this season could see a lot more kids opt to go back to schoolwith hopes of playing in front of the right people next year.
While professional players will almost definitely be running out in front of empty stadiums, their gameswill all be broadcast on television.
At First XV level, Sky Sports shows just one game aweek, nationally.
Garry Carnachan, the chief executive of the New Zealand Secondary School
Sports Council (NZSSSC), is aware of the potential challenges the school game is facing, and said the return of crowds would be dependent on further announcements on the Covid-19 alert levels by the Government.
Presently there are limits of no more than 10 people at gatherings or 50 at funerals and tangi.
‘‘This is amatter for a number of entities to manage collaboratively, including the facility owner and the event organiser,’’ Carnachan said.
The issue of students repeating and then playing sport again, potentially against kids as young as 14 to 15, is a murky one. NZSSSC eligibility regulations are not defined by school year level. Instead, they are defined by age. Most First XV competitions require students to be under 18 on January 1 in the year of competition.
However, some have the ability to exercise special dispensations for ‘‘a small number’’ of under-19 players, Carnachan said.
Former St Peter’s First XV coach Walter Alvarez is optimistic, however, that it will not come to that.
He said if scouts want to find fresh talent, theywill find away. ‘‘Crowds or no crowds, the professional outfits looking for players will find away to see these boys. Whether it’s via streaming or trainings, whatever, theywill find away. I have no doubt.’’ deaths in New Zealand
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