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In an effort based on raw guts and tenacity, the young Wallaby frontrow were suitably schooled by a dominant English frontrow. However, they also fell victim to what appeared to be a preconceived notion that the Australians can’t scrum.
In the days leading up to the opening clash of the Cook Cup 2010, there was much speculation as to how the inexperienced Australian frontrow would handle itself against their far more seasoned counterparts.
The general consensus was that they wouldn’t.
This, coupled with not so distant memories of the woeful Wallabies of 2005 being murdered by England at scrum time, appears to have had an effect on Welsh referee Nigel Owens prior to anthems.
The undeniable fact is that England had a better frontrow that was able to ply the dark arts of scrummaging and conjur up the appearance that Australia can’t scrum at all.
And Nigel Owens either fell for it, or saw what he needed to to fulfill the prophecy that Australia can’t scrum.
Referee Owens appeared to want to stamp his authority on the game early, and in particular at scrum time. I would argue that it was his unwillingness to take into consideration the conditions of the ground – the moist conditions playing at night and the laws of gravity prior to blasting the pea!
Through their dominance, the English were able drop the scrum at will, by either the tight-head rolling in or by boring in on the Australian hooker.
This was largely un-policed by Owens or his assistants, allowing England to toy with Wallaby scrum via essentially illegal tactics giving the appearance the Wallabies can’t scrum, which is incorrect.
This was a tough lesson to learn for Daley and co., but that is international rugby and they must either sink or swim.
On a whole, however, Australia were committed, creative and dominant. England were pedestrian in attack; lacked creativity; and their defence had more holes than Royal Queensland.
However, credit must be given when it is due and the English scrum was as always, destructive and showed the young Australians what scrummaging is all about – legal or otherwise.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.