"It's a competitive world": Rugby Players Association highlights need for alignment when targeting school leavers

New Zealand Rugby Players' Association boss Rob Nichol has reflected on a needs-must moment for the sport. 

That follows the move for the five Super Rugby city hubs to consolidate franchise operations with their respective NPC teams from 2028, in a bid to reduce overhead costs. 

The governing body are also aiming to have more school leavers attending academies, something Nichol says is paramount in the current landscape. 

He told Ryan Bridge when kids are coming out of school, they really want to know what they're committing to. 

Nichol says the sporting landscape is competitive – it's not like 15, 20 years ago, people have options. 

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