The Dunedin school side pulled out of the Highlanders First XV competition earlier this week, before it played its first game, citing depth and player safety concerns.
Kavanagh College principal Tracy O'Brien said there were preliminary discussions, in about October last year, about using players from Kaikorai Valley College and Bayfield High School to help boost the team.
But he said the discussions were not formalised and did not make much progress.
At the start of the year, Kavanagh thought it had the depth to field a team on its own and told the other schools it would be going it alone.
But O'Brien said things changed as prospective players did not return to school and the side struggled for numbers.
He said that by that time, Bayfield had dropped out of the picture. He wrote to Kaikorai Valley College early in the first term, extending an olive branch, but it already had its team ready for this season.
O'Brien said there was never really a big discussion about a combined team but it would be something he would consider in the future.
Former Highlanders First XV competition executive committee chairman Des Smith said Kavanagh had struggled last year and indications were it was going to struggle again this year.
Near the end of last year, he instigated discussions with Bayfield and Kaikorai Valley representatives about forming a combined team.
Smith said the schools were keen but did not want to play for Kavanagh College. It was suggested they play as a Sassenachs side.
At the beginning of the year, Kavanagh had indicated it was intending to go on its own. Smith said it was disappointing to now hear Kavanagh had pulled out.
''The thing is, co-educational schools and their rugby are really battling. It was always going to happen and that is why we looked at this,'' Smith said.
There were examples already of First XVs having pupils from other schools, which was allowed in the competition.
South Otago High School called on pupils from Tokomairiro High School, Catlins Area School and Blue Mountain College. Dunstan High School also called on pupils from other schools.
Kaikorai Valley College deputy principal Garry Chronican said there were discussions over entering a combined team.
His school had 15 players and did not want to give six away to the combined side without having a team for the remaining players to join.
He said the school wanted to have a combined team in the First XV grade and another in the under-18 grade so all players were catered for.
Chronican had no complaints about Kavanagh's decision. He said co-educational schools needed to get together and look at what was best for the future of their players.
