Dialogue: Club rugby contributing much to game

Rugby at club level continues to make a significant contribution in the Auckland region, say DAVID WHITE and KEN BAGULEY*.

In his article on club rugby, Chris Rattue's sarcastic and caustic commentary on the game between Tamaki and Otahuhu does nothing to encourage the many volunteers who support the amateur game in Auckland.

Given the conditions on the day, it was unrealistic to expect a game of absolute quality. However, Tamaki are to be commended for achieving Premier One status, and Kevin Mealamu and Orene Ai'i (as a spectator) are to be commended for taking the opportunity to be involved in the grassroots of Auckland rugby.

Sure, there was only one Super 12 player on the field but to compare the skills of the players in a game such as this with Gregan, Larkin, Cullen and Umaga is bizarre. It is also hard to imagine where Rattue thinks our rugby stars of the future are playing if not for their clubs, when he writes that "club rugby is no longer the stepping stone to the top."

All Auckland professional and development rugby players are playing for their clubs. The Auckland Rugby Football Union has a three-year academy programme which consists of almost 30 young players who have been identified as potential NPC players. All are playing for their clubs. Otahuhu disproves Rattue's comment that clubs do not provide a pathway to a higher level. The team have seven members away playing for the New Zealand Sevens, New Zealand Colts, Samoa and Samoan Colts.

Rather than devote a half page to a largely negative view of one game, why doesn't the Herald make a commitment to local sport and provide meaningful match coverage of all games played in Auckland, North Harbour and Counties?

* David White is chief executive of, and Ken Baguley is chairman of, Auckland Rugby Football Union.