Money Ball: School rugby's poaching problemBill Kearns Napier Boys High rugby director Brendon Ratcliffe says a "clunky transition" from amateur to professional rugby in the late 1990s contributed to the off-field incidents plaguing the game now. Luring the best young rugby players to a school can give them the wrong idea about themselves, Napier Boys High rugby director Brendon Ratcliffe reckons. He blames a clunky transition from amateur to professional rugby in the late 1990s for off-field incidents that have troubled the game since. Asked whether the dogged anti-import stance could undermine the long-term career prospects of Napier players, Ratcliffe thinks not. He has invited agents to this year speak to his first 15 squad about the challenges of professional rugby.

Source: Stuff March 15, 2018 23:26 UTC