Yes. I've been told that before. Almost in the same breath as how The same schools are the ones creating wallabies.
They're also the same schools who are happy to use the referees developed by other systems. And tell kids they can't play club rugby anymore.
Let's extend that to it's logical conclusion: no club holds any responsibility to the bigger picture.
Let's all circle the wagons and continue to operate as islands, because that's working just fine.
I'm not saying schools should pony up cash. I'm saying they've got to be part of the solution.
None of this answers why the schools should be responsible for keeping players in the game and should share facilities and IP like you insinuated though.
Are those issues? Yes. But if there is a systematic problem with the way schools develop talent and help retain it then the bodies who administer our rugby systems bear that responsibility (eg state boards and RA).
The logical conclusion of this point is not that clubs don't hold any responsibility to the bigger picture. A school is not a club. A school is an educational institution which has a duty of care to prepare its students for their future as best as they possibly can. Say you are a 16-18 year old at a GPS school, who is a good athlete with solid rugby skills. You have three potential career pathways open to you:
1. France.
2. NRL.
3. Super Rugby.
France & the NRL have higher salaries, more opportunities, better work conditions. That is all it boils down to. In any other industry you would be baffled if a school didn't prioritise attaining work for the more stable employer who pays its workers more money to more employees.
It would be negligent for the school, which is often receiving $30K+ for the students education, not to maximise the chances of a student attaining the better career available in France or League. Just because it is the 'right' thing to do by Australian Rugby. It is incumbent on Rugby Australia and the States to make Super Rugby a more attractive career pathway.
