Profile. Passion. Aspiration. No not a description of the latest series of X-Factor, but New Zealand school boy rugby. Pundits often mull over the real reasons for this relatively small playing population having continued international success. Many think its their elite program, their meritocratic method of Super Rugby contract distribution and even the Maori battle-hardened mentality. However, what we always come back to is culture.
School sports in the UK basically has no profile on any channel apart from once a year coverage of the county athletics championship in Gateshead on Sky. Watch New Zealand TV, or ESPN in the States, and there is no lack of information on their upcoming sporting talents. If you wonder where the current All Blacks get their skills and ability to perform in the most pressurised circumstances, spend the next five minutes watching this video. It will all become very clear indeed.
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