Heartland XV rugby in NZ is pretty old school amateur. There are stories of Bus Drivers taking their boots along to a game because from time to time they are called on to ride the pine. Their players are tradies, teachers, coppers, dentists and farmers etc that have real jobs and play just for the love of the game. There may be the odd talented athlete there who chose a career in other than professional sport, but generally there will be no former NZ Schoolboys, or U20's or players on the fast track pathway to Darkness. Just "salt of the earth" part time rugby folk, just like the old days, or is this just me with my rose coloured 1970/80's glasses on.
I think that the concept should be to reward the rugby battler. Give them the chance they've never had previously. The lad who was overlooked by the Schoolboy selectors, and hasn't been at U20 World Champs. He has got to the NRC solely by sheer grim determination and his own blood, sweat and tears. No junior Academy accelerated coaching development for them. It's all natural talent and some club mentoring and development. No favours from the Club brown paper bag system and no wardrobe full of free gear from all sorts of rep teams. He would have attended a Colts Information night when he left school, and wouldn't have had 4 or more clubs sending personalised letters to them to try and join them. He would have paid full subs at the club, and would have done time on the club BBQ and setting up and taking down the oval. "Player Manager ? Yeah right as if they were interested in me". The talented Subbies footballer who can foot it with the RockStars. The "couldabeen, if only". The sort of bloke who deserves their first chance. Yeah I'm dreaming.
