NZ Rugby’s Front-Row Crisis: Why Props Are Disappearing & What’s Being Done
Two Hawke’s Bay rugby clubs will field teams in lower divisions this year after being unable to guarantee a sufficient number of qualified front-row players, a situation mirroring a growing crisis across New Zealand’s grassroots rugby scene. Aotea Sports Club and another unnamed club have opted to drop down a level, citing a lack of experienced forwards as a key factor in their decision.
The shortage isn’t simply a matter of numbers; it’s a shift in the type of player willing to commit to the demanding position. One club president, speaking anonymously to the Herald, suggested that regulations may need to be extended to allow Premier competitions to play with uncontested scrums, a measure currently reserved for lower-grade matches. “To play prems you need to have the experience to compete, and we lost for different reasons the bulk of our front row, the props up the front, and the hooker,” said Bryan Te Huki, manager of Aotea Sports Club.
The issue extends beyond Hawke’s Bay. Canterbury Rugby’s head of community rugby, Michael Sheat, acknowledged the difficulties, stating that even as no clubs are currently unable to field a team, they are “aware there are some clubs that are light on front-row players.” Canterbury Rugby is attempting to address the shortage through specialist coaching initiatives, including access to NPC assistant coach Dan Cron and former Black Fern Pip Love.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) recognizes the problem, attributing it to the unique physical and technical demands of the front-row position. Mike Hester, head of rugby participation and development at NZR, pointed to existing Domestic Safety Law Variations (DSLVs) and the “Game On” strategy as short-term solutions. “Longer-term, we are looking at how we can encourage more young people into front-row positions. We are overhauling how scrums are introduced into junior rugby,” Hester said.
The Māori All Blacks, a representative team of New Zealand Rugby requiring players to have Māori whakapapa (genealogy), currently list ten forwards on their roster, including five props and two hookers. The team is scheduled to play Japan XV on June 27, 2026, at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, as part of the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2026. NZR Campaign Manager Ben Fisher emphasized the importance of the match to the relationship between New Zealand and Japan, stating, “Japan is a critically important partner for New Zealand Rugby.”
The dwindling pool of front-rowers is also creating a financial opportunity for those who remain. Former University prop John Afoa reportedly earned $1 million per season in Europe over a decade ago, and Carl Hayman was also among the highest earners in Europe after leaving New Zealand rugby. The physical dominance the position provides is now translating into increased bargaining power, particularly at the grassroots level.
Some clubs are exploring the possibility of importing players to fill the gaps, but this presents its own challenges, including visa requirements, sponsorships, and legal fees. Advertisements for front-row players are increasingly common on social media, spanning New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. The cost of relegation from a Premier division is also significant, as dropping down a level often leads to the loss of key players seeking higher levels of competition.