After attracting so much negative publicity over the past few years, I feel that the Wallabies scrum has finally come of age.
It started with the demolition of the English pack last November. With the demolition of the Springbok pack over the past few tests, I feel the Wallabies are at the point at which they can finally say they have it right. It’s testament to the work and dedication shown by those shorter, rounder blokes who hang out where two worlds collide and their coaches.
I am biased. I used to be one of those shorter rounder (even more so since retirement) men. It’s good to see James O’Connor and the like getting column space and air time, but they aren’t the only young fellas out there, and not all of them have blonde tips.
Benn Robinson’s working over of Springbok captain John Smit and the problems Ben Alexander caused the ‘Beast’ in the last couple of matches prove this. They are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
Getting the better of him on a consistent basis is no easy task.
At last we have some depth and youth up front. The Wallabies have, for a long time, had great backs. Now (and I hope I’m not putting the mocker on them) we have at the very least a stable platform for the backs to be unleashed from at scrum time.
Sort out the lineout and we are on the way to being a complete package.
I believe this is the pack that can take us all the way in 2011.
Chunks
Roar Pro
He had a great game on the weekend but was against parra... 102-0... not much of a litmus test.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I think the scrum is improving but still a ways to go IMO. Everyone acknowledges the Bok front row is weak so getting it over them is fine however the All Blacks are the measuring stick at scrum time and England to a lesser degree. If we can compete well against these countries then I will be convinced. Like others I am not yet convinced about Alexander. His body shape reminds me of Bill Young and we all know how he plied his trade ast scrum time. I want to see Kepu given a run. Apparently he is back fitter than ever and playing very well for Randwick.
Colin N
Guest
It's interesting, Australia only got one penalty in the scrum area, pretty much the only one where they scrummaged legally. I have been impressed with the Aussie scum this Tri-nations, it's definitely improved
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Indeed. And to be fair to your chaps, the Australians really ought to have had their dominance towards the end of the game better recognised by the referee. It was outrageous to see Bismarck popping up so often with no sanction being applied. Amusing, too, to hear the Australian commentators suddenly discovering the merits of attentive refeering come scrum-time.
Brett McKay
Guest
Fair enough I guess, but we'll take "popping" John Smit and Bismarck du Plessis for now....
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
The precise definition would be: an eighty minute monstering based on genuinely superior power, aggression and technique rather than merely waiting for the opposition to get tired or lose focus. You know, something kind of like Marseille, old fruit.
Brett McKay
Guest
Viscount, if "Al Baxter collapsing as usual for 50 minutes, and then Benn Robinson doing a number on England’s reserve prop " isn't the precise definition of 'demolition' then what is?!?!
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
"Demolition of the England pack"? You mean Al Baxter collapsing as usual for 50 minutes, and then Benn Robinson doing a number on England's reserve prop (an admitted cocaine addict at that time) in one scrum? Equally, I shouldn't get too excited about the performance against South Africa. The Boks problems in the scrum looked to me to be more of a conditioning issue than a power or technique issue. Beast was out on his feet after 60 minutes. Smit is clearly not fit either. In the first twenty of the second half, it was the South African scrum that looked to be all over the Australian scrum. I don't believe that Alexander is the answer at tight-head, just as I don't believe Owen Franks is the answer for NZ. Both these pups are enjoying a honeymoon at the moment, but they'll be worked over soon enough when opposition analysts put in a bit of time dissecting their weaknesses. Big Ted and Gethin Jenkins will be salivating at the prospect of doing a number on those young fellows.
Wally James
Roar Guru
Grimmace, old chap I share your sentiment with a couple of provisos. It seems to me that we have a front row which packs marginally lower than the bok pack. That combined with Robinson's technique saw off Smit. Robinson was getting under Smits right shoulder and forcing up out of the scrum and backwards. Unfotunately for Smit he had been taken from hooker thereby weakening both positions it seems to me. He was simply not up to it, letters to the IRB notwithstanding. A shame because he is clearly a decent man and was also an excellent scrummager at hooker. Suffice to say either tighthead is not his position or he has a steep learning curve ahead of him. I find it interesting that our best work has been done in the absence of Sharpe. Whether that be coindicdence I'm not sure. I hope so because he is a decent man with good skills. If it is not coincidence then he may not be long as a current international Last week did not seem to be effected by the change in backrowers. They also have to contribute to a steady and dominating scrum. The real test will be in NZ. Robinson will be up against Woodcok, who, wiley man that he is, stepped back from the engagement and made Baxter the brunt of the decisions ijn the last test. Cunning scrummaging. Will Alexander be up to that task? I hope so but suspect not. Robinson will hold his own again all comers. Our scrum was just as good with Polota-nau and Moore regardless of PN's reputation for better scrummaging All in all a fascinating game to look to. Our pack maybe able to take us to chapmion status at the RWC but this week, not last will be the measure of it at scrum time i suspect Cheers Wal