A number of secondary school principals opposed to NZR's move to establish an under-18 team. Photo: 123rf.com
New Zealand Rugby has dropped a plan to introduce a national under-18 side following an outcry from secondary school principals, who were concerned the move would undermine the traditional New Zealand Secondary Schools team.
In March, New Zealand Rugby announced it was introducing an under-18 men's team which would be the pinnacle of the age grade competition and would play two games against Australia under-18s in September and October.
The New Zealand Secondary Schools side would play games against New Zealand U18 Māori and New Zealand Barbarians U18 teams, with those games essentially acting as trial games for the under-18 team.
NZR was looking to establish the team in an effort to widen those eligible for the age grade team.
At the time NZR general manager Chris Lendrum said "we know from our registration data that nearly 30 percent of U18 eligible players were playing at clubs in 2024 and we want to include those players in what we believe is a crucial step in our pathways programme."
However, a large number of school principals opposed the move believing a New Zealand U18 team would see their elite pupils move out of secondary school rugby and into the NZR's elite pathway to the detriment of their education.
NZR general manager Chris Lendrum. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
NZR has now dropped its controversial plan for 2025 at least.
"We have listened to the principals' group and acknowledged the concern that our proposal had the potential to unwittingly lead to some of our youth leaving school early. While we believed there was merit in a more inclusive selection criteria, we remain committed to supporting schools as the primary vehicle for young people to develop academically, holistically and as rugby players," Lendrum said.
The NZSS team will be selected under the same criteria as it was in 2024, but with an eligibility exemption for under-18 players who are playing club rugby due to the absence of a first XV programme at their school and who cannot access a combined school team.
Lendrum said a joint review would then take place at the end of the season "there is also a commitment to look more broadly at the governance arrangements relationship between NZR and schools, with a shared desire to have greater alignment with the wider rugby system in New Zealand".
Otago Boys' High School Rector Richard Hall, representing school principals, welcomed the decision.
"The retention of the NZSS side as the pinnacle of school rugby was vital for schools, it remains a significant motivation that we can use to enhance rugby players development as people and for those involved in coaching being part of that team offers an elite coaching pathway."
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