New Zealand Rugby have announced the development of new guidelines on more "ethical and inclusive policies" for player recruitment in college rugby. It was one of many revelations in a report released today after the completion of an independent review into New Zealand secondary schools rugby by NZ Rugby.
The report — which consulted several parties involved in New Zealand's secondary schools rugby environment — was particularly damning of First XV rugby and the recruitment practices of some schools.
Many of the people surveyed expressed concerns over the recruitment practices of some schools, a sentiment later echoed in a report by the Herald last month revealing that 10 Auckland schools said they would boycott St Kentigern College in this year's 1A competition due to their recruitment policy. Some of these consequences maybe unintended," said the report.
Despite the review being completed before the St Kents boycott came to light, NZ Rugby Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said he was satisfied that the wide-ranging review — which was completed in October before the St Kents story broke — was thorough enough to address the issue and the concerns of the schools. Cass said the new governance structure recommended in the review will ensure NZ Rugby has a "greater leadership role in ensuring these guidelines are implemented".
Last month, College Sport, the body that oversees school sport in Auckland, confirmed an independent panel to investigate the complaints from the 10 Auckland schools regarding the recruitment practices of St Kents.
