‘Being back in the country was special’: Aussie-born Prior relishes representing Zimbabwe

BY ENOCK MUCHINJO

HARARE – When Ian Prior’s parents moved from Zimbabwe in 1987 to start a family and a new life in Australia, what they left behind was out of sight, but not out of mind.

The affinity to their African homeland was passed down to their children.

Ian Prior trains with Zimbabwe in 2024.

It was all in full display when star halfback Prior fitted smoothly into the Zimbabwe rugby team in his debut international season last year. 

“It was quite a moment to reflect on, considering that my first ever game of rugby was in Zim, barefoot in grade three at the Heritage School in Harare!” Prior tells SportsCast from Perth.

“It was a proud moment for my family, for me to get the chance to represent Zimbabwe on the international stage. My family has a strong history in Zimbabwe and I have fond memories of spending eight years there before heading back to Australia. Being back in the country for the first time in 24 years was special. I’m truly grateful to have the chance to represent Zim and its people through rugby.”

Over two decades without a visit didn’t wipe away the recollections of spending his early years in Zimbabwe, and the strong affection for the country.

“I was born in Australia when mum and dad immigrated over before we moved back to Zim when I was a youngster. I have fond memories of school, holidays and visiting our extended family’s farms. The freedom that came with that childhood was incredible. I attended Highlands Primary in Harare and Heritage when it first opened, before we moved back to Australia in 2000.”

An all-round sportsman growing up, Prior captained the first teams of both rugby and cricket at Ormiston College in Queensland, his birthplace.

Rugby, in the end, triumphed over cricket. Prior was selected for the Australia Under-20 team that played at the 2010 Junior World Championship in Argentina before making his Super Rugby debut for the Reds the following year.

It was at Western Force that Prior made his greatest impact, going on to captain the side and leaving as a club legend in 2024 after a 11-year spell.

 “I reflect back on my career in professional rugby with immense gratitude and pride,” 34-year-old Prior says.

“I grew up dreaming about one day hopefully playing a few games for the Queensland Reds. So to have amassed over 120 games, including captaining a Super Rugby franchise, was beyond my wildest dreams. Like most things in life worth doing, it takes a lot of hard work, persistence and some luck along the way. Being one of only three players to play over 100 games for the Western Force was pretty special. I loved my time at the club and gave it absolutely everything I had over my 11 seasons there.”

Ian Prior left Western Force in 2024 as a club legend.

Prior made his Test debut for Zimbabwe in the opening match of the Africa Cup against hosts Uganda last July, emerging as one of the tournament’s best players as the Sables clinched their second continental title.

He slotted into the fly-half position with ease, despite playing most of his professional rugby at scrumhalf. Prior delightfully orchestrated the Sables’ attack in the first two games against Uganda and Namibia, then left the tournament before the final against Algeria to return to Australia.

The Sables playmaker says being surrounded by other good players brought the best out of him.

“We were lucky as a backline to be blessed with extreme talent in the backs and some serious firepower in the forwards upfront,” says Prior.

“There is a serious amount of talent in the squad and players that qualify for Zim worldwide. I was impressed by the depth of the tight five, we had a hardworking backrow and some firepower in the backs so it was a nice blend altogether. My main role was to play the right options and guide the team around in the right areas of the field. Our coaching staff did a great job in giving the team confidence to execute their skills.”

Prior’s form will be hugely important for Zimbabwe when the Africa Cup returns to Uganda next month. If they manage to successfully defend their title, the Sables will seal their first World Cup qualification since 1991.

With the eight teams set for the Africa Cup giving their all in pursuit of that sole ticket to the World Cup, Prior is expecting a bruising tournament in Kampala.

“I’m really looking forward to the Africa Cup,” says Prior, now a player-coach in the Perth area for the Associates club.

“The Zim squad is better, from the experience of last year. All teams attending have a chance at qualifying. So it’s up to each team to decide how much they want that spot at the World Cup, and who executes the best throughout the tournament.”