Let’s not forget the work of ‘Grumpy’ Alan Muir

Congratulations to all winners of the 2019 Fiji Sports Awards! It was a special Saturday night at the Vodafone Arena, Suva, where our sporting heroes were honoured along with our rising stars, coaches, teams, volunteers, administrators and technical officials who often worked tirelessly behind the scene.

Everyone was a winner on the night!

However, in the Paradise Beverages Technical Official of the Year, we would like to mention the remarkable work of one of the nominees that has made an impact, not only in Fiji or around the region, but the world. He had been nominated for the past three years. The players call him ‘Grumpy’ because of his no-nonsense approach in making things right. Most times he is described as the ‘Scrum Doctor’. The man is Alan Muir- the scrum coach of the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians.

For decades, the Flying Fijians were weak in the scrums. Although we were known for our running rugby where we boast about our Fijian flair but the same cannot be said about the scrums.

Our oppositions would blow us away in the scrums as they push us around the paddock, where they score easy tries. If not, they would pressure us into mistakes in the scrums where we give away kickable penalties for them to convert. Otherwise, they use those penalties to pin us back in our half.

Former national coaches like Brad Johnstone had helped address the scrum issue - which worked, but when he left, we were back to square one.

Then, Mr Muir stepped in and the Flying Fijians showed at the 2015 Rugby World Cup that they were able to compete against Tier One nations like England, Australia and Wales in the scrums. We held our own against these top teams and won a lot of praise in the rugby world.

Now, the Flying Fijians have maintained their scrums and beaten Tier One nations like Italy, France, Scotland and last November the Barbarians in Twickenham.

Now there is confirmation of a Test match against the Wallabies on July 18 and even talks are ongoing for a possible clash against the All Blacks and Argentina in a year’s time.

Muir has now continued the work right down to our feeder teams- Vodafone Fijian Under-20, Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors, Fijian Latui and the Fiji Airways Fijian Drua.

We’ve enough stock of front rows and locks who are now making their mark and securing contracts with overseas clubs. It was not like this 10 years ago.

Tough forwards like Manasa Saulo, Leeroy Atalifo, Eroni Mawi, Campese Ma’afu, Peni Ravai, Mesu Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Leone Nakarawa, Api Ratuniyarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Albert Tuisue, Tevita Ratuva and the list goes on are now playing for top clubs in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

This is what Muir had been doing throughout the years and for many of our rugby forwards, Muir, is the man they’ll always appreciate for moulding them to become better players and help provide them an opportunity to better their lives.