I think it shows the limited pathways available to players as opposed to talent identification. There’s only so many professional spots available. If you don’t make schoolboys, you have to do something extraordinary to get noticed and get a contract. And if you don’t, you play club rugby and watch the next years schoolboys take the professional spots. Obviously there’s players in clubland who, given the right environment, could excel at the next level. I love a day at the local oval having a sausage sandwich and a beer, it’s fun. But is it a pathway to professional rugby? You’d hope so, but the guys playing club don’t get the same opportunities and keep getting leapfrogged by the next big thing.
At the other end of the scale, someone like Joe Powell, is he going to stick with Australian rugby forever? He’s fourth in line for the wallabies and could probably make more OS.