I think rugby in GPS is in trouble. We have seen NRL clubs like Melbourne & Broncos win for years after fixing the salary cap scheme only being discovered years later after being audited.
The games I have watched for example vs Newington over the years just keeps getting smaller and smaller, home game this year for New there was 50/50 parents, away game for New for 1st XV no one hardly compared to every other school, maybe a few New parents and a mini bus of New boys....... they all could have fitted on a picnic rug.
Yet New is joint leaders with Scots, New has is lucky to field 4 teams per age group, and for U16's which 2 of 3 their teams forfeited Saturday? And rugby is shrinking at New with soccer having more teams over rugby per age group. But leading the 1st XV comp with Scots
Scots is not far behind New with a very similar situation, joint leaders in 1st XV with New, maybe 4-5 teams per age group for rugby. For Scots the last home game of the year at the Hill, there many empty stands. Another team leading the 1st XV comp
and where are the supporters yet again.
Are these joint leaders of the 1st XV competition schools for orphans
The other 1st XV schools Joeys, KIngs, View & Shore seem to have greater numbers of rugby players, but are starting to decline as some schools(students & parents) are most likely steering the kids away from rugby both at school and club.
Beyond reason or doubt bursaries, scholarships, Boys from the Bush or whatever you want to call it parachuted in from years 9 or 10.... the majority of the schools wanting world domination is just destroying the sport for the schools and sadly rugby as a whole.