Vikings Props – Ruan & JP Smith
As the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) attempts to reignite the concept of adding a tier between Super Rugby and local rugby competitions, the National Rugby Championship (NRC), we will continue our player interviews to assist in getting to know the University of Canberra (UC) Vikings in their push to conquer the remaining eight (8) teams and become the inaugural NRC champions.
Today we are going to meet two more Brumbies, who although being South African have been adopted by Canberra, due to their engaging personalities and front row experience, and this will continue as they take on their roles in the engine room of the UC Vikings crew. Ruan and JP Smith will definitely add personality off the field, and strength and commitment on the field to the Vikings!
Are you excited to have the NRC sitting between local rugby and Super Rugby?
JP: Oh mate, I think everyone is excited, as obviously this is the first competition between seasons, that massive gap after club rugby what do you do? You start losing not interest, but it’s hard to express.
Ruan: Obviously for JP and me both, we are looking forward to this opportunity, as because both Benny A (Ben Alexander) and Scotty (Scott Sio) are both Wallabies, not every day that happens, so hopefully we get enough game time to have fun. As it is hard to find form when you get 15 minutes here, 10 minutes there. I think that is the most exciting thing for us, and the other boys as well.
Do you think it will help Australian Rugby?
Ruan: I definitely think so, especially for young guys coming from the 20s, who now get the opportunity to play top level rugby.
JP: Some of them get lost.
Ruan: Yeah, in that gap in between, before they get into the academy system.
JP: Especially, in South Africa, you have the under 19 level and under 21 level, so if you don’t make the senior level, you go to age group level or Vodaphone Cup. I think the NRC is a step towards that.
Being twins and front row partners, is it exciting when you play together?
JP: It is awesome, hey and hopefully we get more opportunities soon.
Ruan: We have played in every single team together, it is pretty hard to explain the feeling, but it is pretty awesome.
JP: indescribable.
Is there any twin intuition that helps you play together?
Ruan: No not really, I think we kind of think the same when it comes to situations on the field, but I don’t know what he is going to do.
Now we know you guys are our South African connection, can we hope you stay to qualify as Wallabies, or do you want to return home to play for your home country, South Africa?
JP: No look mate, we have been asked that a lot, and I think if you asked us that a couple of years ago, we may have said yes to going back to South Africa, but our minds are here, and our lives are here, so if the opportunity comes we will definitely play for the Wallabies.
Given how strong the Currie Cup is in South Africa, can you see the NRC being as strong in Australia?
JP: I definitely see there are similarities, but it is going to take a couple of years to get there.
Ruan: It will take a few years to reach that, not intensity, but it will get there.
JP: If it gets going, as if you look at the squads now, the whole starting teams are pretty much coming from Super Rugby now, and the local club players will get as good as Super Rugby players. That is what the Currie Cup is now.
Ruan: I think the difference now is that everyone in the Currie Cup is professional, and the professional system allows players to train from 8 o’clock to whatever time. Whereas the difference here is not everyone is full time training.
Well hopefully the NRC grows and becomes professional too and hopefully the ARU sticks with it, so that that tribalism for each team grows.
JP/Ruan together: Definitely will be good.
Ruan: And pre-season is shorter too. (all laugh)
Do you know much about the other NRC teams?
JP: We know the Brisbane City team quite well, as we played in the Brisbane club competition for 2 years, so we know most of the boys.
Ruan: But we also know the Waratahs guys spread within the Sydney teams, otherwise not really.
Who do you see as the UC Vikings main rival?
Ruan: My personal choice would be the Sydney Stars.
JP: I think the Brisbane City team, as the club rugby in Brisbane is getting strong.
I’m excited for when the UC Vikings play Brisbane City as the pre-match to the Bledisloe Cup in Brisbane in October.
JP/Ruan together: That is awesome hey.
Given both of you have faced the intencity of Super Rugby with the Brumbies, how do you expect the NRC intensity to stack up?
JP: I reckon physicality wise it will be the same, but not as quick, but it will get there once the teams start to get to know each other. But I think the physicality will be up there, the pace of the game will be slightly off.
Ruan: Yeah, I think that will be the only difference.
South African fans idolise the big men in the Front Row, whereas Aussie Fans tend to love the backs. How has your stint in Canberra and involvement with the fans stacked up?
Ruan: I think we’ve met a lot of people because Canberra in not the biggest city, and you tend to see the same faces and people, don’t know if they are fans, but a few of the kids.
I think there are a lot of people that are big fans of yours, especially on Social Media, you seem well liked.
Ruan: Yeah, if you can call it fans, it has definitely gone up since we have been here, but I think we like to engage.
JP: Especially, when people realise we are twins, I think that gave it a boost, I don’t know.
Ruan, you played National Schoolboy Rugby for Australian and South Africa, how would you rate these experiences? Is one stronger than the other?
Ruan: I think, personally, in 2007 I played Australia A and Australian schoolboys side was full of superstars, James Slipper, Matt Toomua, Aidan Toua, Joey Tomane, Rob Horne, James O’Connor. Those players were exceptional, that year was very strong. The year after was also full of players that play Springboks now, and Super Rugby now. Those 2 sides were very close, but 2007 team was strong in Australia.
What about the preparation, the training and the support you guys get at schoolboys level?
Ruan: For me in South Africa, you got a week of preparation before you play your 1st game, you fly in and meet each other. In Australia in 2007, we had a few camps and got together as a squad.
JP: In South Africa, schoolboy rugby is almost professional now, it is ridiculous. Ruan: When we were back in South Africa, we couldn’t believe it. Under 18 rugby is getting professional, strength and conditioning, programming wise. I don’t know what it is like in Australia now, but back then the 2 sides were very similar.
Alright, JP this question is for you. I understand you started your rugby as a centre, and as my colleague at work says, all centres could be props in South Africa, before moving into the Front Row. What made you see the light? As you can guess I was a front rower.
Ruan: He definitely saw the light.
JP: I don’t know, but I definitely started losing interest in rugby, and had a chat one day with my dad and my brother and coaches as I wanted to move forward. They initially said I should try back row or something, and when I moved back to South Africa in my final year at school, there was a shortage of props and I said I’d have a go. Luckily, I stuck it out, as the first couple of years were tough. What is good, or why I enjoy it, is that it is one of those positions where you can never stop learning.
Ruan: But basically the transition is that he got fat. (all laugh) That is when he realised, he was a fat centre.
Last question, what advice would you give an 8 year old, starting their 1st season of tackle rugby, who wanted to follow in your footsteps?
JP: I would say my biggest thing is that as soon as they stop enjoying it, don’t play it for the wrong reasons.
Ruan: It is, everyone says that though, but that is the age that you start falling in love with the game, if you really enjoy it. So, I would say just go out and have fun, enjoy it.
JP: If you get to the level later in the year.
Ruan: That will come.
JP: Get them to enjoy the game from young.
Great advice, thanks for your time guys, good luck in the first round at Vikings Park on Saturday 23rd August.
