For a school with a little more than 800, Gisborne Boys High School doesn't hit the limelight often.
Photo: 123rf
But the school's first fifteen rugby team is featured on one of the biggest newspapers in the world - the New York Times.
The story is about how New Zealand's grassroots help produce the best rugby players in the world - the All Blacks.
Gisborne Boys High School deputy principal and First XV assistant coach, Tom Cairns told Morning Report they didn't expect to be the only ones featured.
"We were a little bit surprised that they came and talked to only us, we thought they might be taking a broader sweep of New Zealand rugby.
"It was explained to us, they were looking for the essence of what New Zealand rugby is and I guess that was us."
He said Gisborne Boys High was only a small school.
"We sit out fairly isolated on the East Coast but I think for many years we've achieved above our weight."
One of New Zealand's strongest rugby schools, they've produced more than their fare share of professional rugby players.
"[The story] really examined not just the school but the whole community spirit behind what happens and I guess that was the essence that [the reporter] was looking for."
"The way the boys are supported by the community and overcome the challenges they face because of isolation were part of that essence.
"We struggle to resource ourselves as some of the big city schools do ... the boys really have to push themselves to play rugby in the first place."
He said the students were really excited when the story went online.
"Something like this a good acknowledgment, it's good for the boys to see that they're just as good as anybody anywhere and the fact that a massive newspaper like the New York Times has shown an interest in a small humble place like ours certainly indicates to the boys that there's a big world out there."
