One says he believes the \u201cbigger units\u201d are falling out of love with the game because they\u2019re \u201cbeing trained like All Blacks\u201d. He says the traditional club rugby prop \u201cisn\u2019t the fittest fella on the field\u201d \u2013 but there\u2019s no game without him.<\/p>\n
Another says front-rowers, who used to \u201cage like wine\u201d, are \u201cpulling the pin in their mid-20s, whereas front-rowers of a decade ago would happily go late into their 30s\u201d.<\/p>\n
In his 50s, former New Zealand M\u0101ori, Super Rugby and NPC prop Orcades Crawford is still playing senior rugby for his club Clive in Hawke’s Bay. Photo \/ Neil Reid<\/p>\n
Rugby at this level cannot be played without specialist front-row players \u2013 and, to a degree, qualified reserves. There are national provisions (Domestic Safety Law Variations or DSLVs) for playing with reduced numbers, but Premier grades must start with at least a nominated tighthead prop, loosehead prop and a hooker.<\/p>\n
If they name a full squad of 22, they must have a minimum of five players who are trained in the front row.<\/p>\n
The regulations for competitions that are not designated Premier grades (eg Division 2 or lower) allow for matches to begin with uncontested scrums.<\/p>\n
One club president the Herald spoke to suggested that regulation may have to be extended to Premier competitions too.<\/p>\n
With front-rowers becoming harder to find, some are suggesting that scrums may need to be de-powered at the highest levels of club rugby. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Another option being explored by clubs is to import players from overseas in order to maintain their presence in the top divisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat brings its own complications,\u201d one club president notes.<\/p>\n
Importing players isn\u2019t as simple as a Facebook post \u2013 though that\u2019s how many start. The process can involve working visas, sponsorships and legal fees, which all add up for clubs that may not have the budget.<\/p>\n
Still, the social media pages advertising rugby vacancies are littered with advertisements from around New Zealand, Australia and the world for front-rowers needed.<\/p>\n
The cost of not remaining in the top division can be even higher for clubs. Whilst it\u2019s hard to stay in the top flight, it\u2019s harder still to return. Once a team drops out, they often loses their best players. Those players aspire to continue at a certain level and will find new clubs that provide that opportunity. Forming a team that can return to the highest level has taken some clubs a decade and others even longer.<\/p>\n
A big man on the burst. Front-rowers in club rugby have always been hard to stop \u2013 now they are hard to find. Photo \/ Lewis Gardner<\/p>\n
Some clubs in Canterbury still haven\u2019t managed it after more than 20 years of trying.<\/p>\n
Canterbury\u2019s head of community rugby, Michael Sheat, concedes that there is a shortage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are aware there are some clubs that are light on front-row players, but aren\u2019t aware of any that are critical in terms of being able to field a team. All clubs are constantly working on increasing their depth in this area,\u201d Sheat says.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt Canterbury Rugby, we support that through a range of initiatives across both clubs and schools. That includes access to specialist resource coaches such as NPC assistant coach Dan Cron and Canterbury FPC player and former Black Fern Pip Love, along with others who help develop aspiring front-rowers and support coaches working in that space.\u201d<\/p>\n
If Canterbury, a powerhouse union with some of the highest playing numbers, is experiencing a shortage, how are smaller unions getting by?<\/p>\n