College rugby: Focus on character and work ethic paying dividends

Auckland Rugby had an epiphany of sorts three years ago - a major review that concluded they were contracting too many boys who were talented but lacking in character.

For all the talk of the 1A being the best schoolboy competition in the world, it produced only one All Black - Benson Stanley of Auckland Grammar - between 2006 and 2012.

The system wasn't working: the talent identification programmes weren't right, the emphasis was too heavily on bigger, stronger and faster.

"We had a deep look at Auckland rugby three years ago," says Auckland high performance manager Ant Strachan. "From our perspective we felt we were letting in too many kids with poor character into our programme.

"So we changed our philosophy and refocused around culture and behaviour and decided to no longer accept mediocrity. We wanted boys with good character and ethics away from rugby."

There was a concern that many of the most talented players were a product of their environment - they were physically well prepared due to the emphasis on rugby in some schools, but that too many had inflated egos for the same reason.

Too few boys who starred in the 1A a few years back had learned the value of a work ethic because they hadn't had to develop one. That fact alone is thought to be largely responsible for the 1A's relatively poor rates in producing players who go on to become successful professionals.

Between the current Auckland and Blues set-up there are several players who had no or limited exposure to the 1A. Pauliasi Manu went to Tamaki College; Charlie Faumuina to Papatoetoe High School; Tom McCartney was a pupil at Howick College; Angus Ta'avao attended Dilworth College; Keven Mealamu Aorere College and Ofa Tu'ungafasi made NZ Schools and the Blues from Mangere College.

Since the review in 2010, however, there has been a noticeable improvement in Auckland Rugby and the 1A's success rate in converting talent into professional contracts.

Steven Luatua of Mt Albert Grammar and Francis Saili of St Peter's were among the first intake at the Auckland Academy under the new regime - both were named in the All Blacks squad to play France in June. Albert Nikora, formerly of Mt Albert Grammar, played for the Blues this year and has been approached by the Chiefs. Lolagi Visinia of Kelston Boys', starred for the New Zealand Under-20s this year and played the last game of the season for the Blues. Patrick Tuipulotu has been signed by the Blues after leaving St Peter's in 2011, while Simon Hickey (King's College) and Joe Edwards (St Kentigern College) are expected to play for Auckland this year and push for Super rugby contracts.

Not only are the statistics showing the improvement - the feedback about the Auckland high performance programme is more encouraging. Not everyone agrees with the selections made but few dispute the seriousness with which Auckland takes work ethic and character.

"It is very important to have a Plan B and be focused on my academics," says St Kent's halfback Sam Nock, who recently attended the Blues Schools camp. "They made that point very clear to us."

1A All Blacks Since 2004

• Sam Tuitupou - Kelston Boys' High School - 2004-2006, Caps: 10
• Mose Tuiali'i - KBHS - 2004-2006, 10
• Steven Bates - KBHS - 2004-2006, 1
• Jerome Kaino - St Kentigern College - 2004-2011, 48
• Kevin Senio - KBHS - 2005, 1
• Sione Lauaki - KBHS - 2006-2008, 17
• Angus Macdonald - King's College - 2005, 2
• John Afoa - St Kent's - 2005-2011, 36
• Isaia Toeava - De La Salle College - 2005-2011, 36
• Benson Stanley - Auckland Grammar - 2010, 3
• Steven Luatua - Mt Albert Grammar - 2013-, 0

1st XV Mania - Win at what cost?
A week-long investigation into schoolboy rugby's dirty little secret
Sunday - Schoolboy rugby's dirty little secret
Monday - Auckland rugby's rich-poor divide
Tuesday - Scepticism at St Kent's
Yesterday - Sky TV fuelling the obsession
Tomorrow - The great school rivalries through the eyes of former stars