St Kent: We play by rules
The price of a college rugby title
St Kentigern College has asked College Sport Auckland to lead an arbitration to deal with the looming boycott of their participation in the 1A first XV competition.
The Herald revealed yesterday St Kents have been effectively kicked out of next year’s competition after a coalition of rival schools agreed to boycott the school because of their recruitment policy, which they deem to be morally and ethically reprehensible.
Head of St Kents David Hodge said he was confident the issues could be resolved before the start of the season.
“We support a successful school rugby culture and we are delighted College Sport Auckland has confirmed it is ready to act in this role so that we can all look forward to a successful and enjoyable season,” he said in a statement.
Hodge said St Kents remained committed to participating with one set of rules applying equally to all teams.
“We follow the rules that were agreed and set by College Sport Auckland, and would have expected the most recent issue to have been raised before school enrolments had closed for 2019.
“We look forward to resolving this matter and to a successful and rewarding season for all teams.”
Rieko Ioane has added his opinion to the issue, saying to be the best you’ve got to beat the best.
Ioane, who played his high school rugby for Auckland Grammar, addressed the issue on Instagram, saying running from competition was not the answer.
“I’ve seen it all now. Just because they recruit doesn’t mean you pull [the] plug. Don’t run from the competition.
“St Kents makes first XV competition harder but it makes it better when you beat them.”
Sport New Zealand boss Peter Miskimmin had a different view, and praised the principals of the 10 schools boycotting matches against St Kentigern for taking a “leadership stand”.
Sport New Zealand “stands with the 10 principals” who signed the letter about rules and regarding poaching and welfare, Miskimmin told the Herald.
The issue, he said, “was the development of kids versus winning at all costs”.
The principals who have acted to exclude St Kentigern from next year’s 1A competition had ignited an important debate, Miskimmin believed.
“They are trying to preserve the integrity of sport, the integrity of the competition. They are acting in the best interests of their pupils.”
Miskimmin said arguments that all the schools had acted improperly in the past were missing the point.
Schoolboy rugby, it was recognised, was now at a tipping point and change needs to be made for the future rather than looking back at past misdeeds.
St Kentigern revealed a few weeks ago that they have taken on five boys on full scholarships, all of whom played for first XVs at schools outside the Auckland area.
Although there are no rules regarding how many students can be introduced from outside Auckland, other schools felt this was a step too far.
The Herald revealed yesterday
St Kentigern have effectively been kicked out of next year’s 1A first XV competition after a coalition of rival schools agreed to boycott the school because of their recruitment policy, which they deemed reprehensible.
Speaking on the Radio Sport Breakfast, Miskimmin said he applauded the schools taking a stand.
“What we have is principals coming together to agree on a set of rules or a code of which they will all abide by and I think that’s a very responsible way of doing things.”