Breeding new props to front up

Kudos must go to the Fiji Rugby Union, head coach John McKee and scrum mentor Alan Muir and others for breeding new props

Most times prop forwards decide whether a team wins or loses.

This is because they are rugby’s strongmen, the game changers as they always front the full brunt of the battle when the going gets tough. Others look up to them as they are the frontliners, main-stayers, first receivers and a source of inspiration if we are to shift into overdrive in quest for victory.

We’ve a strong breed of props in the last four years and they have been a pillar in the success of the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians.

Unlike in the past where we look offshore for players like Ron Williams, Deacon Manu and Henry Qiodravu to man the role for us, we’ve built depth in this position.

And kudos must go to the Fiji Rugby Union, head coach John McKee and scrum mentor Alan Muir and others for breeding new props.

But we need to build for the future especially for the next four years if we are to continue to be a force upfront.

Some of the current crop of tight-heads and looseheads would be in their middle 30s by the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Loose-head prop Campese Ma’afu retired after the last pool game against Wales at the Rugby World Cup early this month.

Playing for Bordeaux Begles in France, Peni Ravai would be 33 in 2023 while tight-heads Manasa Saulo, Leeroy Atalifo and Kalivate Tawake will be 34, 35 and 34 respectively by the next RWC.

As for the current crop the only two young bloods remaining in the RWC extended squad are Eroni Mawi and Luke Tagi who is on contract with Stade Francais RC in France.

We need to develop local players now so that we can continue to be in a prime position and a force to reckon with in the future.

We can’t afford to slip but build from strength to strength in this position.

We are fortunate that Saulo, who will join Agen in France, Atalifo, Ravai and Tawake are available to shoulder on the role should they be required.

But FRU and whoever is in charge of the Flying Fijians should give priority to this in the next four years. The Fiji Airways Fijian Drua should be the platform to develop props for the future.

If we need to make a mark in the world of rugby, we need to be strong in every position as they all play a vital role. We need to have a strong tight-five as they form the baseline and decide whether we win or lose. Props come into play here as they lead from the front and we need more strongmen for the future.