Yet despite the lack of this there manages to be junior competitions outside of 12 districts in Sydney that produce players without the benefit of the large playing base and the strong GPS schools competition associated with it.
Which is why I think without Shute Shield, these Village Clubs would probably still exist (Because many do almost in spite of it in some regions), and these players would still grow up playing there.
Pfitzy you hit the nail on the head in post #1740.
"Go look at the Clubbies playing in the NRC against the pros: they're all out of puff 10-15 minutes from the end, while the Soup players are still gunning it.
Holloway and co show they're a cut above in the NRC not because club rugby made them so, but because, as full time pros, they can train like pros, and with pros."