The front row is one of the most important unit in the team because they effect a lot of what goes on in the game. One of the most sort after positions around the world on the Pro level is having a solid Tight Head Prop and they can be some of the most highest paid players on the team. Having a solid front row allows a team to stabilize control around the rucks, meaning being able to put your big as solid frame in front of that ball and hold it secure until your Half Back gets there. Having the Popo’s (my 1st XV Coach use to call us) working hard at scrum time gives your team a better chance retaining the ball and a clean set play to make a run or even better a “Tight Head” to take place where you steal the ball. Working well together as a front row in line outs, rucks, defence whatever it maybe you need a good solid front row to last at any level of rugby and here is the Top 5 Front Rows in the country in 2018.

St Kentigern College 

The ones that stand out to me are the front row for St Kents and not only because they have Tamati Williams but also the others that will be supporting him. Tamati will be the main Prop and player in the front row for St Kents and with his ability to really spread the defence out because he’s not an easy player to match a defence with, he’ll create space just by field placement and positioning. Matt Graham-Williams another top Prop in the country add’s exactly the same dynamic that Tamati does with his running ability and so I dont know how your going to set a defence for just this front row alone. Young Props like Tiaan Tauakipulu who is a big boy out of Brisbane and played a few games last year as a Year 11 student now has a chance to show more of what he can do. Last year still as a young kid the knowledge of the game wasn’t strong but I see this year as his year to grow in that role and he’ll show us something different. Alatini Tuungafasi another Year 12 Prop could also be in that mix and could be one to watch for as he gets better and better every year. The Hooker? Well I always thought Sila Tituiti the flanker would make a great Hooker for the 1st XV but they have Valance Yates who personally I thought should have got more time on the field last year. A converted Open Side he has slotted in well into his role and with that extra speed and pace he brings to the game, that’s a lot to handle for a team.

Auckland GS

This Grammar front row to me is closely matched with St Kents and in some ways could be better. Grammar have a huge equalizer in Saula Mau who I personally think is a Super Star and is set to have a massive year. I like his natural ability to physically man handle anyone on the field and class himself as the “Alpha” on the field right from kick off. He can scrum, he lifts well, runs the ball so aggressive but with purpose of trying to help others get into space, his defencive efforts are great as well and again think he’ll be a NZSS Prop at the end of the season. Along side Saula is a balance that works which comes in the form of Austin Atiga another solid hard working Prop. Austin gets around the field great and just gets to work, Austin is the one that will make big defencive plays when needed if that means putting his body on the line. The Hooker situation is one of the best you could ask for this year in Sam Rainger. Sam is a hard nut player that just goes about his business making tackles, cleaning out rucks, taking short runs here and there to keep momentum going all the things you want in the hard working player. Sam maybe one of the best Hookers in that Blues Region and will be interesting how he backs up a strong year last year.

Christ College

Led by another Super Star Prop this year, Christ College have Patrick Thacker anchoring their scrum this year and doubt they will have trouble this year. Patrick a huge solid Prop and plays  more of the traditional Prop that bashes players out of the way and cleans out dudes with the best of them. When you have a player like Patrick you can really play that tight game where you can go phase after phase with the ball knowing that he’ll get the ball a 3rd of the time and making sure he eats up meters. His defence around the rucks is great for making sure that those all important “Grind Out” running meters are taken care of and stopped. On the other side of the scrum Lachie Gunson another old traditional player that compliments the style of Patrick and makes for a very strong grind up the field. Lachie also very fit and who puts in the work for the side and keeps things going. They will look to him to be right there behind Patrick for that second wave of runners and will need his size to be active when the game gets tight. Arthur Allen another front rower back and will have the No.2 Jersey this year, he is going to have to keep the momentum going and to make sure that those scrums are tight and low and holding strong every time they pack down. Look for Arthur to be the mobile one and more active out in the field more but can get into the tight game and make a difference.

St Andrews College 

This years front row for STAC is going to be huge in size, they will match all poly boy front rows they are so big. The best thing about these guys are that they are not “Big for Nothing” guys they get on that field and put in that work. We saw a massive effort last year with the STAC front row and the way it was led by Shilo but now that he has gone I would give that responsibility to Jack Rose. Jack made the U18 Crusaders last year and stood out as well with the work he put out there on the field and so this year I see him making an eve bigger jump to get to that next honor of Rep teams. As a very mobile Prop Jack gets through a lot of work around the field and you can expect him to be one of the first players to the ball as well. He is also an over looked ball carrier which is something I think is a strong part of his game. Jacson Edie is going to be a “Big Dog” this year on any field he gets on, even last year he was one of the biggest players on the field every time. Jacson really makes a name for himself when it comes to the physical stuff, because he is the guy that puts you in check when you thought you were strong and then you went up against Jacson and then you found out what strong really look’s like. Thomas Broughton would step into the Hooker role and is a player that we didnt get to see much of because of Shilo being so good. What he’ll bring though is a more aggressive approach to the game, a bit more physical and tougher and will get guys off the ball. I would look to his running game from the base of the rucks or getting it as first receiver and just punching holes into the line.

Hastings BHS 

Now Hastings BHS have a few guys returning in the front, actually there is 4 players returning that have all have 1st XV game time. Now there is not a Super Star in this group of players but I do think them as one group working together can match with anyone in the country. They have a very mobile group of boys in the front row and they are all fit players and will be vital to how this Hastings pack goes this year. The reason I say that is because Hastings BHS have had a lot of key players leave and so these boys will have to pick up where the others left off. 4 players I look to right away are Zac Southwick, Corban Kireka and Posala Hunt the Prop’s and Damarus Hokianga at Hooker. All these boys are going to put in work on the field because that’s how they are trained to play, get the ball, secure the ball and do whats best for the team to win. Zac should have a lot more time of the field this year along with Corban now that the starting spots are open. Both boys would need to get physical and aggressive around that rucks and really make a point of the other team knowing not to even try get to the ball. Posala I think may come off the bench but I do think the game time would be more even with such a talent coming off the bench. Damarus is a no brainer and I think he’ll have a real strong season. Hastings BHS have some young guys coming through like Alex Epati at Prop and Jacob Dorward a very young but talent Hooker who could get an early call up.

Others to look for:

Kings College
Hamilton BHS
Sacred Heart College
Rotorua BHS

What 1st XV Has The Best Front Row?