That was more or less the response at this end of the country.
Last week, principals involved in the Auckland 1A First XV competition announced they had banned live broadcasts of matches for next year’s season for "the wellbeing of the students", adding "secondary schools rugby players are being exposed to an unhealthy level of scrutiny in both traditional and social media".
No media interviews would be granted before or during the season.
The situation in Otago could not be more different.
Otago Secondary Schools Rugby Council chairman Greg Heller told the Otago Daily Times he was not aware of any concerns players were being impacted negatively by media coverage, and they were working with Sky to get more games broadcast.
"We haven’t had schools that have expressed concern about the pressure.
"The vast majority of our schools would welcome the opportunity to have a TV game.
"The [situation in Auckland] is not something we have discussed as a group.
"But [their decision] presents an opportunity for the Otago Schools Rugby Championship to have more games broadcast," Heller said.
Just one Otago Schools Rugby Championship match was broadcast on Sky last season, and the final was live-streamed on the ODT website.
The newspaper also provides a weekly wrap of the competition, regularly interviews coaches and players, and ramps up coverage towards the business end of the season.
ODT sports editor Hayden Meikle said the newspaper was proud of its dedicated coverage of all sport.
First XV rugby was particularly popular with readers, and the coverage reflected that.
"We take care not to place elevated scrutiny or criticism on the young men and, increasingly, women playing rugby at the top schools level," Meikle said.
"We also don’t just focus on the so-called elite schools, but we make sure everyone gets their day in the sun.
"I’m confident our coverage of First XV rugby is really balanced, and I think the willingness schools and players have to co-operate with us shows they see our stories as adding real value and not unnecessary pressure."
John McGlashan College coach Russell Lundy, who led Johnnies into the National First XV Championship top four this year, said he understood the concerns in Auckland because of "the impact some of the clips have which get shared around social media".
"I understand what they are trying to do but personally I think the cat is out of the bag with the way people communicate on social media.
"I don’t think taking it off TV is going to change that.
"For me, the mainstream media coverage this end of the country isn’t an issue.
"When we get a televised game, and I think we’ve only had one in the last couple of years, players look forward to it and the family looks forward to it.
"I could understand if it was weekly — that creates its own sort of pressure. But as a once-off, it is quite exciting.
"I think a little bit of profile is good for the individuals and for the programme. I don’t think there is anything negative about what is happening here at all," Lundy said.
