Story: Rugby union

Grass-roots rugby

This montage of club rugby in 2012 gives some sense of the passion and community involvement which is engendered by club rugby, especially in rural areas. Some of the skills displayed also suggest the importance of club rugby in training players who go on to achieve success at provincial and All Black levels. However, since the advent of professional rugby many younger players have come through special academies rather than emerging from club rugby.

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How to cite this page:

Ron Palenski, 'Rugby union - Club and provincial rugby', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/interactive/40010/grass-roots-rugby (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Ron Palenski, published 5 Sep 2013, updated 1 Sep 2016