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Message: [QUOTE="GCBRONCO, post: 2517915, member: 1808"] [URL="http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/brisbane-broncos-pair-up-with-the-new-zealand-rugby-union/story-fniabm4i-1226690975701"]No Cookies | The Courier-Mail[/URL] [SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue][B][B]BRISBANE development chiefs have flown to New Zealand to inspect the All Blacks set-up as the Broncos explore cross-code methods to stay ahead of their NRL rivals.[/B][/B][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue][I]The Courier-Mail[/I] can reveal the Broncos have struck a relationship with the New Zealand Rugby Union in a bi-partisan move designed for information sharing and improving development structures.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]A four-man team led by Broncos development boss Brendan Barlow attended the NZRU’s headquarters in Auckland a fortnight ago.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]It followed an initial visit by the Kiwi organisation’s junior-development staff, who toured Brisbane’s Red Hill training base in May to glean insights into operations at one of the NRL’s most professional clubs.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]The Broncos’ recruitment-and-development strategies have come under fire in recent times.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]The club has been criticised for struggling to unearth a champion playmaker in an era where a posse of Queensland juniors, headlined by Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Ben Barba, Josh Papalii and Daly Cherry-Evans, have become superstars at rival NRL outfits.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]Barlow says the Broncos “aren’t crying over spilt milk”, but the club’s loose alliance with the NZRU is evidence they are leaving no stone unturned to deliver a development bedrock for a return to Brisbane’s glory days.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]It was Brisbane’s maiden fact-finding mission to the NZRU and one endorsed by coach Anthony Griffin, who is mindful that NRL rivals such as Melbourne and Canterbury pump millions into footballing resources. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“That’s the first time we’ve gone over there and I was happy with that,” Griffin said.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“It was Brendan’s idea to visit the NZRU. We had them here early in the year and we were only too happy to go back. It’s an opportunity for us to learn from another successful organisation.” [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]While aware of the brickbats being fired at Brisbane’s development strategies, Barlow is content to operate in the shadows.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]Since 2006, sixteen players have graduated from the club’s development system to play NRL. Three - Josh Hoffman, Jharal Yow Yeh and Gerard Beale - became Origin or Test players.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]Others to emerge from the Broncos’ grassroots include Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Dale Copley, Ben Hunt, David Hala, Corey Norman, Dunamis Lui, Dane Gagai, Kurt Baptiste, Lachlan Maranta, Aaron Whitchurch, Jordan Kahu and, most recently, Corey Oates.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]But Barlow is seeking continuous improvement. He sees synergies between the Broncos and All Blacks. Both are respected brands synonymous with success, but with performance comes accountability and crushing public expectation.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“The NZRU do things well, they are a successful organisation and we just found between the two of us it is a good relationship to have,” Barlow said. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“There is a mutual respect there as successful sporting franchises. We have both got barriers and hurdles and we highlighted a few ideas and strategies to overcome them.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“It started informally with a chit-chat and now we look at each other’s facilities and offices with a particular focus on elite player development.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“We’re not in the process of resting on our laurels. Development is an ongoing process. Any successful modern organisation is always looking for ways to improve and we’re certainly no different to that. [/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“It’s a good opportunity to upskill our own staff and help keep the Broncos moving forward.”[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]The Broncos spent a week running their eye over the NZRU’s development methods. And while they are happy to swap information, Barlow says there are no plans to exchange talent or pilfer emerging New Zealand rugby stars.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“It’s not like we go there to pick up a heap of kids, it’s not about that,” he said. “We spoke about that with the NZRU, we both understand there are player movements, but it’s not a priority to target Kiwi rugby kids.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“New Zealand won the rugby World Cup and they know they are at the cutting edge of international rugby but they are also looking to continually improve.[/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#000000][FONT=Helvetica Neue]“They were honest with how they undertake their business, there was not a degree of arrogance, they were keen to share ideas and that’s great for both of us.”[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE] [/QUOTE]

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