But it is all for the betterment of the game and about spreading the talent.
A draft took place earlier this week to decide for which clubs new Highlanders players would play.
The initiative, which has the aim of helping out the lower sides in the Dunedin premium grade, had involved Highlanders up for grabs among the seven clubs.
It was a venture between the Dunedin Metropolitan council of rugby clubs and the Highlanders to try to spread the Highlanders players around the clubs.
Council chairman Paul Dwyer said it was about giving those clubs at the bottom a hand and meeting the needs of clubs.
Previously, clubs were allocated a player no matter whether he was needed or not. Highlanders played games for clubs but in doing so could push a promising player out of the starting side.
The bottom club from last year picked first and Zingari-Richmond decided on loose forward Hugh Renton.
Renton came in as injury cover for the Highlanders in pre-season and has made a strong impression.
He started last Sunday’s game against the Highlanders. The Tasman man is contracted for the rest of the season.
Green Island picked next and decided upon outside back Solomon Alaimalo.
Alhambra-Union then decided on prop Jermaine Ainsley while next up Dunedin picked utility back Caleb Makene.
The selection of Ainsley was somewhat puzzling as he has injured his ankle and is out of Super Rugby Aotearoa for the season. But he is signed for two years and will be a long-term investment for the club.
All selected players will stay with that club for the term they are with the Highlanders.
Makene will be a handy player at club level with the ability to play in various positions.
Kaikorai picked Japanese loose forward Kazuki Himeno who is is signed for just one season.
Southern selected flanker Billy Harmon while Harbour received the final player left, centre Fetuli Paea.
Paea suffered a high ankle sprain in a warm-up game and is out for the season.
University and Taieri, the two clubs which made the final last year, did not get a pick as there were insufficient players left.
Lock Bryn Evans, who is new to the Highlanders this season, will link with the Dunedin club as his younger brother, Gareth, played at Dunedin club.
All other Highlanders had ties to clubs which had been decided in previous seasons.
Should any of the drafted players be injured and replaced, the new player brought into the squad will link with that club.
Dwyer said he hoped for the draft to go live next year at a dedicated function to give more profile to the club competition.
The premier club competition is set to start on April 10.
- The Highlanders under-20 side will be coached by Hawke’s Bay coach Mark Ozich.
He will be assisted by former King’s High School first XV coaches Ryan Bambry and Will Henry.
The side will be named early next month and will play games in a national tournament in Taupo next month.
