He is fine with that, as long as any change is to the benefit of New Zealand rugby.
Jury, who also runs the Highlanders high performance programme, has just returned from leading the schoolboys to two dominant and entertaining wins over the Australian under-18 team in Canberra.
There are reports New Zealand Rugby is looking at turning the Schools team into a national under-18 selection, which would both be in line with other nations and offer young men who have left school a chance at representative action between school and the New Zealand under-20 ranks.
"It’s no secret there have been some discussions, but there’s no sort of final decision," Jury said.
"Personally, it’s about whatever is important for New Zealand rugby. That’s how we need to look at it.
"There are pros and cons on both sides."
Jury acknowledged there were fewer opportunities for top young players since the days when there were effectively New Zealand teams at every level from under-16 to under-21.
It was important to get the young fellows into "pressure moments" to help build well-balanced players.
New Zealand Schools showed plenty of spirit and talent in their 34-3 and 55-36 wins over their Australian opposition, but Jury said the bigger picture was more important.
"Our biggest goal was making sure we had 26 players who could grab hold of all the information that was thrown at them. That’s from nutrition to performance to mental skills, and the coaching side of things.
"I think they got better as the tour went on, and started to understand it was really important to have clear minds and enjoy the game."
The Schools coaches also talked a lot about "our rugby DNA", Jury said.
They showed the lads some footage of the All Blacks from the halcyon era in the 1960s.
"They saw this relentless physicality, effort upon effort, and skill. It was something we really wanted to bring through.
"We put the ball in the air and it didn’t always come off how we wanted, but it was never about trying to hold back.
"The games reminded me of that real golden era of All Blacks rugby 10-15 years ago when we were in an armwrestle for 60 minutes but then our skill and fitness and intent got us through.
"That was pretty cool. Some of the tries gave me goosebumps."
Three lads from the Highlanders region — Southland Boys’ High School winger Kiseki Fifita and the King’s High School pairing of Dylan Pledger and Quinten Holland — toured with the Schools team.
"They were outstanding in how they conducted themselves, and they’ve all got huge futures in the game."
The name on everyone’s lips after the tour was captain Oli Mathis.
It was reported before the tour that the outstanding Hamilton Boys’ High School flanker had been poached by the Crusaders, but he was definitely staying in the Chiefs region, Jury said.
"Oli wanted to make sure he led from the front. When he did that, it really changed the momentum of the game for us.
"A young boy from Waihi, a farmer — it doesn’t get much better than that. He almost reminded me of a Southland lad or an Otago lad."
Jury keeps his Schools role quite separate from his day job running the Highlanders high performance programme, so do not expect to see a swag of the national representatives turning up in Dunedin.
The Highlanders, who bring in four to six youngsters each year based on positional needs, signed off on their recruitment and retention of young talent earlier this year.
"We’ll always look after our local boys. And outside our region, we want to be really smart in terms of whether we need to recruit a particular position."
Max Ratcliffe, Reuben Palmer, Stanley McClure and Kyan Rangitutia are among the promising stars in the programme this year.
Ajay Faleafaga, Jack Taylor, Nathan Hastie, Hayden Michaels, Jake Te Hiwi and Oli Haig all graduated in 2023 and have earned full Highlanders contracts.
