Rugby Union: Ambitious coach tests All Black youth policy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE NEW ZEALAND Rugby Football Union are justly proud of their youth policy, writes Chris Hewett. It allowed them to fast-track a 19- year-old Jonah Lomu into the Test side in 1994 and enabled a team of talented under-graduates from the All Black Academy to put 50 points on England 18 months ago. But the men in silver-ferned blazers still have an age- before-beauty fixation when it comes to coaching.
When an ambitious young wannabe by the name of Aaron Hankin put himself forward for the national post vacated by John Hart in the aftermath of a disappointing World Cup, he was not only briskly rebuffed, but rather patronisingly advised to re-apply at some indeterminate point in the future. The fact that Hankin is a 17-year-old sixth-former from Napier Boys' High School is neither here nor there - at least, not in his own eyes. "It was a serious application," he insisted yesterday. "I was pretty disappointed when I was rejected."
Still, the precocious Hankin told the union a few home truths. "The coach must be someone removed from the corporate system [a clear dig at Hart the business executive] and know a bit about the game," he said in his application. He should not give up hope. The next World Cup is still four years away.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments