I agree to some extent. However, I think what these players do is advertise these school's rugby programs, which I think will lead to more talented players being channelled through some of these top schools. For example, I believe 9 news did a piece on Sua'ali'i and Penisini last week in the lead up to Roosters vs Eels. It was good advertisement for Kings rugby program in my opinion.
Also, if a player has paid his fees and has come through the schools rugby program, and he happens to sign with a league club, as frustrating as it is, I don't see an issue with it. I find it frustrating in for example, Sua'ali'i's case, where he was on scholarship, yet his league team didn't let him play schoolboy footy. That's frustrating.
yes and no, a few counters (and a little bit of a rant
1) if that was the case (that media exposure would create momentum) then both Barker and Kings wouldn't have such miserable 13's 14's and 15's this year. Unmentionable arrangements have been in place for a very long time at both schools. Scots too would be much more consistent in age group teams and so would Knox. Any media doesn't so much advertise the Kings rugby program, it advertises 2 exceptional athletes that attended Kings a bit. Note that Sua'ali'i in particular hardly trained with Kings at all and didn't play any rugby in his final 2 years. Penisini on the other hand was more on board so perhaps give some credit for that.
2) there have been a number of boys at Joeys dabbling with league in the last few years although none this year that I am aware of. However, they have been fee paying and outside obligations cannot ever interfere with school commitments of any kind (including the occasional Sunday mass)
3) NRL clubs would stop sending in contracted players to schools and thus crowding out development opportunities for true rugby men.
If rugby in Australia wants to punch properly on a world scale then it can't allow itself to be regularly raided by mercenaries. We are the only country in the world that must compete with 2 other winter contact codes to attracting talent. Valued properly we have the game that offers the most compelling opportunities overall (remuneration, internationalism, connections etc etc) why give it away cheaply?
Blasphemy on this page (I know) however it could be time, perhaps part of the solution is to establish a senior XV schools competition that preserves the traditions but opens up the contest more widely. Rather than play so many trials play a GPS, CAS, and Other cross over tournament that still allows a GPS and CAS champion to be confirmed, an overall champion school and perhaps offer a second tier with promotion and relegation opportunities. It might also introduce the posibility of High, Grammar and TAS occasionally challenging for the GPS crown again instead of the permanent 3rd XV status.
I love the GPS tradition and would never want to abandon it but I think it needs to evolve for the good of the game.