FRONT ROW TO RUGBY’S ISSUE

Lack of front-row forwards behind the loss of multiple clubs from Gold Coast’s first-grade rugby union competition

GOLD Coast rugby union is in the midst of a massive player dearth in its top ranks, after three first-grade sides withdrew from its premier competition.

Helensvale Hogs and Palm Beach Currumbin withdrew due to player numbers. Now, after their round 1 clash was cancelled, Coomera Crushers will also line up in second grade this week, leaving just five teams in the elite competition.

Gold Coast District Rugby Union community development manager Brookyln Manu said the problem lay in the contested scrums, with the clubs not convinced they had the personnel to be able to provide a safe environment to perform.

“From my understanding it’s that there are a lot of clubs who have absolutely lost their players in those (front-row) positions,” Manu said.