Ring the changes

Before 1995, you could play for the All Blacks even while based in what are now called ‘‘Heartland’’ teams. Not now – it has been 22 years since that happened, and 32 since a rural-based footballer won a test cap.

Rugby colossus Colin Meads never left King Country, All Blacks captain Brian Lochore stayed in Wairarapa, while two others in their all-conquering 1967 team came from rural provinces; Stan Meads from King Country and

Phil Clarke from Marlborough.

King Country and Hurricanes prop Phil Coffin was made an All Black in 1996, though he never played a test, the last Heartland test caps were won in 1986, by Wairarapa-Bush pair

Brent Anderson and

Marty Berry.

If it were still 1993, All Blacks halfback Aaron

Smith might still be hairdressing in Feilding, playing for his club and Manawatu. Chiefs pivot

Damian McKenzie would be smiling for Southland and Waisake Naholo would be nice and warm (and poorer) in Fiji.

Money Ball will look at how the balance of schoolboy rugby power is ebbing out of the provinces, with once powerful rugby schools such as Gisborne High School or Matamata College no longer the forces they once were.

Key schools have rugby academies and train up players for Super Rugby. Many of those barely see club rugby. Clubs, once the nursery of New Zealand rugby, have lost that role to schools. There are tensions between schools, with dark mutterings that some are buying in players to win titles.

Follow our series as Stuff looks at changes in our national sport, ones that have turned this country into a breeding ground for brilliance.