After completing a series sweep of the Wales rugby team, New Zealand (NZ) rugby is in a healthy position. There is plenty to report on: from the top [the All Blacks] down to it’s grassroots.
The rugby season is in full swing. Parents are taking children along to Friday night and Saturday morning games. Schoolboys and girls are wearing their school colours with pride. Club players are demonstrating their abilities; both men and women, in dreams of further representation. Most children and teenagers will tell you their dream is the reach the All Blacks. For girls, that would be the ‘Black Ferns’ and now, both sexes can dream of the Olympics in Rugby Sevens.
It all suggests the NZ is a nation ‘mad about rugby’ and that would be true. From this reporters perspective, it is rugby nirvana where weeknights are spend preparing to report on upcoming games. Contacting like minded NZ rugby followers, and this week interacting with colleagues in Wales, prior to the test match. That is the rugbyunited bond created through the sport and especially, on the field.
Plenty to report on
With so much rugby going on; locally and Internationally too. For those not familiar with the domestic system, here is a simple overview (from youngest to senior level)
Children are encouraged to play from Day One–although NZ rugby do not have a league set-up that early in life. By the age of 6, when children are of age to transition from their playground experiences, there are three different areas of the game to open with. School, club and representative.
The basics begin at this age, a simplistic approach of ‘catching the ball’ running with the ball and understanding their roles. The first area to learn in is at school-level. This is from ‘Physical Education classes’ up to the First XV–the highest step at this stage. Playing at school, children learn while in PE class and in their playtime. Coaching is directed by teachers and volunteers, and in many of the best schools throughout NZ, some of the leading coaches today have progressed from this school level.
Dare I mentioned one Sir Graham Henry – Kelston College. He coached the boys of West Auckland towards a career spanning Eden Park (pictured) to the valleys of Wales.
School age level rugby
Children play in their age groups first, both boys and girls who can be in mixed teams at this early age. Playing for the love of the game, the physical aspect is managed. As well as age, certain weight restrictions are introduced in this level. Weight and size are two variables that are formally controlled to ensure the game is fair. ‘Fairplay’ is paramount so that the varying sized boys and girls are evenly matched. Children with more natural attributes are advanced according to size, skill and for some ‘competitiveness’. The smaller kids are encouraged and have fine examples to emulate, like Damian McKenzie.
The second level for children to play rugby through is within a club. An organisation separate to your school, this path is more involved as the children must go outside of school hours. Time is the investment here, and it brings with it a commitment for the individual. And their family obviously, the parents and volunteers are critical in the success of club rugby. Significant development now occurs of children into young adults. This comes when they show an interest here, the dedication to a full ‘season of footy’. Parents can see the progression often, the maturing of kids and so can schools.
An example of the structure is shown here at this level is in the Auckland Rugby website link: ‘earliest Weights and Ages’ charts. Distributed across all regions, clubs and schools also use a similar control-system. This way, there is a continuum through children’s exposure to the sport up to ‘Under 13 restricted grades’. Within schools, this age progresses along with the length of schooling. That runs right through to senior school/college system. As well, the awareness by coaches matches that–plenty to report on in regards to ‘new prospects’.
Representative level rugby
That progression means boys and girls then can be recognized in the representative level. In schools, that will be within geographic regions, and toward premier grade in club sides. Representation can be in all forms of the game: XV, Sevens, Touch, Tag and Wheelchair. All forms of the game have their development levels and many young people excel with this recognition. They can take these opportunities to join groups touring new regions, provinces and territories.
That can be the reward now, to travel outside of their own area (and sometimes country). The prize here can be tournament competitions, medals and often championships that might be national or even International Cups and Shields. Many a young All Black has traveled from North to South Island, and also within the Pacific region. Damian McKenzie (pictured) is a name who has come up through this representative system.
From the school, club and representative levels, men and women make big decisions. Players that wish to pursue a career within NZ rugby, look at these pathways to display their skillset. How they can highlight them to the regional selectors, provincial or national teams. Under-age brackets can help in elevated graduation, as players like McKenzie shift from Under-20 to the next level. Success at competitions like this, and then up to the national team for Men and for Women.
Having fun is still important
And it is all about having fun still and in achieving players dreams and aspirations. Often team mates can be friends and more often in NZ rugby, siblings. The Barrett brothers, Whitelocks and Whettons. Fine examples that stretch back over the proud history.
If that is a black jersey, than their passion for that will show through. The most-driven usually rise to the top. The cream of the crop, players of above-average skill and ability stay motivated by family and coaches. As well, some coaches progress along with their careers and have goals of trophies and higher competition. Men and Women have equal opportunity within our society, with proud recognition of culture with Maori, Polynesian and the services: Police and Army.
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From there, the professional level entertains the rugby public. This is not restricted to the representative level, as amateur sportspeople today are given an allowance on tour and often sacrifice work and employment opportunities, to further their career. A professional environment comes under the regulation of the New Zealand Rugby union (NZR) and includes health and player welfare elements. It also now includes drug testing and education, with the Professional Rugby Players Association playing their part.
MITRE 10 CUP/HEARTLAND RUGBY
A new sponsor has taken on board the promotion of this grassroots competition. Consisting of two parts, the Premier Mitre 10 Cup see’s the top 14 provinces in the country challenge each other. Below that is the Heartland Championship, made up of 12 sides based in more rural environs. Provincial rugby is separated through this country into ’26 rugby districts’.
These two competitions kick off on August 18–Mitre 10 Cup–and a week later, on August 27 for the Heartland Championship. With a very high standard, these are not ‘village teams’. Often with fully professional members, only the Heartland teams are entirely made up of men who hold fulltime jobs. These men play in a promotion/relegation system within each competition and moving between the Premiership/Championship brings much provincial pride.
Likewise in the Heartland competition. It has two levels: the Meads Cup, and the Lochore Cup. The highest finishing 4 teams, competing for the Meads Cup. The next four highest placed teams playing for the Lochore Cup. In this way, the second-tier (5-8) can attain goals of performing against teams of the same ‘placing’. They also play for local pride and the heralded Ranfurly Shield is often placed up for grabs. A little more reward for those teams challenging the likes of Waikato.
New laws to be trialed for 2016
In an experimental move, these competitions will introduce new ‘trial laws’ for this season. That will mean there is plenty to report on, with the players having to adapt but many NZ rugby clubs have introduced the same systems. Increased points, changes to the breakdown–there will be some confusion naturally. The fully professional Mitre 10 Cup sides will adapt quickest, but they have the least to change for. Heartland players therefore must go through some intense training, to correct habits formed over a lifetime.
SUPER RUGBY
If anything, this report has to look backwards in respect to Super Rugby 2016. Incredibly, the 18 teams have had to sit ‘idle’ and allow there players to leave for representative duty. All five NZ franchises have seen men play in Black. Sadly for a couple, their men were injured (George Moala and Charlie Faumuina in this third test alone) It might remove some players but the rest have not sat idle. Warm-up games this week and intense conditioning programs to have the players ‘fighting fit’.
Top placed New Zealand side 1# Crusaders 45 | 5# Chiefs 42 | 6# Hurricanes 40 | 7# Highlanders 38 | Blues 30
Top placed South African side (Conference 1) 3# Stormers 36 | Bulls 32 (Conference 2) 2# Lions 42 | 8# Sharks 35
Top placed Australian side 4# Brumbies 34 | Waratahs 34
The competition kicks back into gear with Round 15 beginning Friday. Several NZ sides travel, including the Chiefs and Crusaders. They will play a Chiefs ‘home game’ in Suva. This innovation may create a trend of overseas fixtures. Singapore is another veue who will invite participants to play a match overseas. While the success is yet to be clearly evident, it breaks new ground and that is what NZ rugby is renowned for.
The leading Crusaders have a small advantage over their four franchises and they must retain that. Todd Blackadder will want to leave the post as head coach on a high. As all teams will, they must win from the outset and that includes the Blues who play in Wellington. Upset the Hurricances, and they still hold a mathematical chance of reaching the quarter finals. Lose, and only four teams have a chance to progress past the round-robin. That is exciting for all fans–five possible finalists.
Super Rugby quarter finals
The other conferences will make up the top eight, with the Lions and Brumbies seeming to have good chances of qualifying. As the Highlanders travel for the next fortnight. if they return with a handful of points, it will continue the rise of the Southern Men as a power within the national sport. After Round 17, we will know which teams have reached this stage. It will then lead into the Rugby Championship and from there, the All Blacks selection.
Our professional ranks are strong and soon more ex-NZ players will be representing other conference teams. That includes Zac Guildford who joined the Waratahs in 2015. Moving between conference teams is now seen as an acceptable transition. While “I am not one one to talk” but a leading All Black is on that list. Beauden Barrett is a target for the Auckland franchise. That will compliment the signing of Sonny Bill Williams and Augustine Pulu–Barrett would be a great addition. Although, the Hurricanes might fight equally hard to retain the All Black first-five.
STEINLAGER TEST SERIES
“Time to re-establish the side after a massive loss of 800 test caps.” was the reference from Steve Hansen. His coaching group have played it conservative, only experimenting after the first and second test had been won. It would have been near impossible to replace Richie McCaw, let alone Carter, Mealamu, Smith, Nonu and Woodcock. And to the groups benefit, they have not tried to.
Over the last month they have brought in six young players, with just McKenzie not playing any gametime but it will build the sides confidence to win 3-0. A massive aggregate score also points to the ability to score tries. All Black teams score tries, even when they win by attrition. After 55 minutes, they stretch the opposition and in Dunedin, score points in the first half. Bonus points now play their part in the next stage: The Rugby Championship.
Change has occurred. New captain (see picture above) and Kieran Read has done a tremendous job. Retaining his form is important. And change has occurred on the world rankings too–NZ rugby still sit at number one. Australia have fallen, so too have Wales. The biggest gainer has been England under new coach Eddie Jones. Unbeaten in nine matches and with a natural confidence that is growing. Growing after a 3-0 whitewash of Australia.
New Zealand and England ranked 1-2 in World
The fact these two teams do not meet in 2016 is hard to ignore. Even the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour is only just going to wet fans appetite. There is pundit’s bet is that an early December date is being discussed–imagine the interest that will hold?
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Plenty to report on, and with plenty more to come, fans will soon be overwhelmed with quality rugby. From the club grounds, to the provincial theaters of our nations sport, it is rugby nirvana. Even though many other countries can claim to enjoy the same level of support, our ingrained passion runs deep. On the weekend, as the All Blacks claimed a clean-sweep of Wales, the report is reads very positively.
“Main photo credit”
