Kavanagh College's prospects of getting through the season look a lot brighter.
The 1st XV was forced to default its Otago premier schools match against John McGlashan College last weekend and coach Jacinta Neilson was concerned the school might have to pull out of the tournament.
But there has been some relief on the injury front and it is hoped two new recruits from Tonga will arrive in time for this Saturday's game against Taieri College.
''We have a team,'' a relieved Neilson said when contacted.
''A couple of injuries weren't as bad as we thought so we've got 17 for this weekend.''
It is still a threadbare squad but a big improvement on this time last week when only nine boys were fit enough to participate at training.
''It is still pretty tight but the boys are determined that they can still get out on the field. We had a good meeting [on Monday] and everyone is happy about playing and we are looking forward to that.''
Kavanagh had previously considered dropping down to under-18 grade this season. Then it was ravaged by injuries with 10 players sidelined in the opening two weeks of the competition.
Neilson said the Otago secondary schools rugby council had been very understanding of the team's plight and was prepared to be flexible to help see the school through the injury crisis.
Otago secondary schools rugby council chairman Murray Munro said teams were allowed to play two non-domestic players but Kavanagh had been granted dispensation for three players.
Concerns have been raised in the media this week about about the schoolboy rugby competition in Christchurch becoming too professional with teams recruiting over-aged players from overseas.
But Munro felt the Otago premier school competition was a healthy tournament.
''I think it is allowing the vast majority of players in Otago who are of 1st XV standard to be able to take part,'' he said.
''There is a lot of co-operation between our teams. It is not always school on school. There is co-operation for the sake of rugby and the development of boys by giving them a pathway to show their skills.''
Munro added the Otago competition was ''very different'' to the model in Christchurch in the sense the region's two strongest 1st XV teams - Otago Boys' High School and Southland Boy's High School - played in a different grade.
