Wallabies stalwart Benn Robinson is convinced Australia possess the personnel to field one of the best scrums in the world despite some more shaky efforts in that critical area on their Spring Tour.
The most experienced of Australia’s prop contingent on their Spring Tour, Robinson was relegated to the bench for the last two Tests against Italy and France despite being renowned as one of the world’s finest loosehead props.
The 26-year-old Waratahs’ front rower certainly made a statement to coach Robbie Deans with the barn storming performance off the bench in Australia’s record-breaking 59-16 thrashing of France in Paris last weekend.
He scored just his second try in 42 Tests, but more significantly his arrival and the switch to tighthead of rookie Test prop James Slipper added greater stability to the previously wobbly Australian scrum.
Surprisingly, Robinson didn’t resent the seemingly never ending media and public scrutiny of the Wallabies’ inconsistent effort in the critical set piece.
“We definitely have the personnel to have one of the best scrums in the world,” Robinson said upon his return to Sydney on Tuesday morning.
Asked what the problems with the scrum were, Robinson said: “I think it’s a few issues.
“I think we have to be adaptable to every scrum we play against. The northern hemisphere scrummage differently to what we do down here in the south.”
While renowned as Australia’s scrum linchpin, Robinson revealed he had been expected to do more around the field after being demoted to the bench.
“I think (coach) Robbie (Deans) definitely wants to have an overall approach, he just doesn’t want a scrummaging front rower, he wants a player that can pass the ball or run lines as well,” Robinson said.
“I think I’ve definitely got that in my game at the moment, but it’s just about continuously improving for me.”
Deans was encouraged by Australia’s second half scrummaging effort against France.
“It’s something we will continue to work hard at and we showed that if we can get the advancements there, then we will challenge anyone.”
No.8 Ben McCalman, who started the last seven Tests of the season, made it clear he was determined to hang onto the position despite the impending return of Wycliff Palu, who was injured for the entire 2010 Test season.
“I certainly won’t be rolling over and giving it to him,” said McCalman, who just 12 months ago was uncapped and just hoping to break into Super rugby with Western Force.
Terry Kidd
Guest
The front row is not the problem in the Wallaby scrum ... although I have issues with Alexander at TH because he is too tall and unbalances the front row. The issue is Sharpe at lock. Whichever scrum Sharpe packs into struggles, it is as simple as that. If there is no Sharpe locking then the Wallaby scrum will more than hold its own against anyone other scrum.
Invictus
Guest
Unfortunately, Blake's scrummaging is not an improvement on the current props - it is actually worse based on the limited number of games of Top 14 I've seen that he played in. Drastic improvement required before he gets the tighthead job for the wallabies.
jameswm
Guest
I agree with Benn Robbo. When he, TPN and Ben A played a few tests together in 2009 and were fit, they did very well. They were our U20 World Cup winning front row. They had spells of dominating other test front rows in the scrums last year, and elsewhere, they killed it (ball runs, offloads, defence, clear-outs etc). I don't think anyone should underestimate the difference TPN has in scrums. Ben A has certainly struggled at TH since coming back from injury, but Slipper has been a revelation and continues to improve. I would also like to see Dan Palmer starting at TH for the Brumbies next year, with Ben A at loose head. Ma'afu on the bench, so I don't see Ben A playing much TH, except when Jerry Yanuyanu comes on. Get those 4 now (it used to be 3) playing a full season of S15, uninjured, and add them for some int'l matches afterwards, and I think our front row could be a strength. Laugh at me now, but you watch. Some 2nd rowers who push would help, and I don't put any of Sharpe, Chisholm or Mumm in that category. Horwill, Vicks, Douglas and maybe Kimlin. And while I'm on the subject - here is a rough Brumbies lineup - I don't see them as world-beaters in 2011 1. Ben A 2. Moore 3. Palmer/Ma'afu 4. Kimlin 5. Chis 6. Rocky 7. Salvi 8. Hoiles 9. Valentine 10. Giteau 11. Fainifo 12. Leali'ifano 13. AAC 14. McCabe 15. Toomua I guess - issues here - and pls leave AAC at 13 16. H Edmonds 17. Ma'afu/Palmer 18. Chapman 19. Hooper/C Fainga'a 20. Phibbs 21. Toomua or if he plays 15, ??? 22. T Smith
woodster
Guest
its all about the Technique and you have to have the right coaches for that.
Ralph
Guest
Personel is one thing. Technique is quite another.
Oli
Guest
I think i have the solution to the tight head problem, Rodney Blake he's 6'4ft and 130kg's, he played a few tests a couple of years ago and showed great potential before heading to Europe, and now he's back to play for the Melbourne Rebels, we need a big aggressive front rower and he's it. As for the second row, hopefully Vickermans return will add some stability to the scrum and lineout. Also Rob Simmons has played well.
Amateur Hour
Guest
Our entire first choice front row and our second choice hooker (depending upon whether you view that to be Moore or Polota Nau) were missing for the June internationals this year and most of the tr-nations. Ben Alexander only returned at the start of the Spring Tour and Polota Nau for the last two games. Add to that Horwill and Palu have both been missing since the early rounds of the Super 14 and Dan Vickerman is still in England where he's been for the last 3 years and I think your statement needs a little refining. Dean Mumm was our starting number 4 for most of the Test season and I don't think that anyone, save for Dean's Mum, is going to argue that he's the best we have.
Amateur Hour
Guest
I think it might be wise to remember that the Aussies may have another horror run with injuries next year. I too am excited about all the big names coming back and how much stronger we will potentially be, but we can't forget that next year the names missing might inclue Pockock, Elsom, Sharp and Beale. The attempt to build depth has been a great move this year. Well done to Deans.
Oli
Guest
I can't even express how much i agree with you.
Campbell Watts
Guest
Face facts Benn! The guys the Wallabies have fielded for the last 2 years or so are the best you have - and how many penalty tries, long and short-arm penalities, collapeses have occured? They are not up to world standard and it's time for some truth-talking - admit it, work on holding parity and try and win the game elsewhere. These guys will never make up one of the best scrums in the world I'm sorry.
Ben
Guest
After watching the spring boks scrum with bakes Botha back, and how they got the better of the English.....I am starting to buy into this second row issue. Last year on the spring tour we didn't have sharpe so out line out sucked but our scrumming was geat with horwill. It will be interesting to see what effect horwill and cliffy have on our scrum.....with sharpe and rocky hopefully we will have line out and scrum covered next year.
josh
Guest
I don't belive we can have the best scrum in the world as we don't have a genuine tight head who can dominate the scrum. The other big problem is the second rowers i am not convinced that they add there weight. If you look at any contact situation neither of our second rowers are dominant they buckle and go to ground easily , i belive this weekness at contact would transfer to the scrums.
Behind Enemy Lines
Guest
Someone should introduce Deans to the hierarchy of needs. There's a fairly basic one for props. It starts with the ability to scrummage and ends with a prop who can offload like a back. Not the other way around.
johnno42
Guest
why shouldn't they have the best scrum in the world??? when the team is chocca bloc full of the 'best in the world players'??? ahem
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Touché!
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Mate I did hit the gym and ran around doing the hard yards, but guess what? I just wasn't that good so I cut my losses and found something else to do. Maybe they should have a good hard look in the mirror too.
CraigB
Roar Guru
maybe rabbitz you should read the article before mashing the keyboard.. Does he say they do have the best scrum? No it says he beleives that we have the personnel to be one of the best. He states there are a few issues. Watching the French test it is hard to argue just noting the difference between the 1st and 2nd half. Even you think he is in denial and you disagree that the wallabies do not have the personnel then your talk of coaching changes is irrelevant. Maybe its time you hit the training track and the gym got out there and show them how its done, otherwise I suggest you go away.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Can someone show Benn how to use the video recorder and then get him to watch a few Wallabies games from this year? Do all Australian representitive players, from all sports, live in a world of denial? Good lord can we employ some coaches and coaching staff that tell the truth? It seem the current lot spend all there time telling their precious charges how good they are, that is lying to them. This goes for cricket as well. So Benn, I know this might hurt your feelings but it has to be said - You guys suck at scrummaging, there, I've said it. Now go away and think about all the penalties, collaspes, penalty tries that those nasty referees have blamed on you lot. If you do think about it, then you might realise it is up to you guys to stop being a Colts scrum and become a Test scrum. Frankly, I don't think you lot are up to it.