Wallabies scrum: what was the ref thinking?

Interest fading in Australia isn't because of the other three codes being so amazing but its because of the disgraceful scrums in Rugby. The average Australian fan will take one look at the disgraceful penalties (and three points being given from such penalties), and IMMEDIATELY, without passing GO, without collecting $200 turn the TV OFF. STraight off. The Scrums in rugby are criminal, awarding 3 points for the ridiculous stuff going on in the video above. I mean it goes against basic human decency. Teams should just LOSE points from taking Penalty goals from scrums. A team that takes a penalty from a scrum should just have to instantly leave the field and be declared the loser.

Have similar thoughts re resets. But without the replay analysis - its hard to tell. In general though: - I thought the scrum held up well against Pumas when BR went in, and also when Fardy moved to lock. - So it implies the coaches and the team adjusted. - Which means they can do it, if they put their minds to it. Then for the next two matches, something happened that illustrates weakness in forwards coaching: - Both ABs and Poms, on their feed - pushed for the 1st time, was generally repelled - The ABs in one or two occasions went for 2nd push and WBs capitulated - The Poms did even more: they pushed two or three times, testing either side of the scrum*** WBs also failed Our forwards coaching at best, is reactive. There is a total lack of vision of what a winning pack should be. We're not going to win important games like this. And it also seems we won't put away soft targets like rusty Poms - albeit assisted by refs. ***I'm not sure that's technically legal btw - because theoretically scrums are supposed to be pushed flat. Anyway, theory are for scientists, not footballers

I enjoy your analysis Scott but thought there were some inconsistencies. Not sure why, when the Wobs are apparently sheering across the poms and Vunipola is dramatically more angled than BA we should get penalised but in a later scrum when England were pushing and angling, not straight and level, the wobs should be able to handle it. Why is that not a penalty to the wobs? We all know there is some black magic going on in there but Vunipola would have been pinged any other game this year for those early scrums.

I think the analysis of the boring/not straight angles of Vunipola/Alexander is lacking. It is always going to be difficult for any prop in that position to push straight when the opposing prop is forcing the available vector. If Vunipola's the prop who's hips are coming out of alignment, then it's clearly the fault of the English pack.

Good to see some unbiased analysis Scott, having said that I wonder if you went too far.... the main issue I had was how the ref seemed to reset when England was under pressure but penalise the Wallabies without hesitating.

Does Link have a point? he keeps saying "perception is reality" and the perception is the Aussie scrum is weak http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,9817_9012688,00.html

Max Lahiff is quite good. He's English but has moved to Australia specifically because he thinks he can get a shot at international rugby with the Wallabies - I'm sure all average props in the world who once drank a pint of fosters must be thinking the same.

Too much influence from rugby league?

Thanks Scott, really enjoyed that. Wish we could see analysis like that on mainstream media pre and post match. Really helpful and would cut back on a lot of misinformation in the press since (esp if held post match or as close to). I walked away from the crappy Ten re-broadcast, baffled and pissed by some of the refs scrum decisions because some of the wallabies scrums looked ok, but after watching in the cold light of day, it shows he got it mostly right when WBs were penalised. England, which we all blindly new, would be the better, stronger and smarter scrummagers, but I think as you point out, Scot the ref does need to judge each scrum on its merits and not on they way have been in rest of the game. My two cents I think as some Roarers also point out above I thought the WBs were a lot of smarter than this. With the lack of firepower they have at the moment in the scrum, rather than be combative and try and stand up to the opp to win at scrum time (which by the reaction of BA on occasion during the match looks like he was really frustrated and had put a lot of work into it during the week), just defend and be smart (ie not talk to ref) and most important do everything humanly possible to not give away a penalty or FK (includes effort from all 8 to hold it together). I am loathe to say but even if this this means losing a tighthead on occasions. Just do everything you can to nullify the scrum to a non event in the game that way you take it out of the opposition's arsenal, you get the ref onside and take the negative spiral effect out the game and get back into the game with clear head ready to move onto the areas we are strong at. Perhaps harder than it sounds but it has got to the point where it is such an issue that they need to start thinking out of the box, something that I thought the WBs were good at, or used to be. Perhaps experienced leadership is the key? One other point on scrum 2 correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the English hooker 'pop' well before BA? Alexander looks so frustrated (and maybe rightly so after this scrum you can see he is losing focus because he can probably see the writing on the wall from Clancy after he has probably spent the week eating and sleeping on the scrum machine and probably should have been talked to or more at that point.).

Good basic view of it but overall highlighting inefficient the entire pack is. I disagree slightly on one but yhats neither here nor there-Australia were incredibly lucky to get away with what they got away with but always are. The pack should have all bought Lotto after the Argentinian game. Until they understand connection as 8 and how all components operate they're going to have the same issue. Mind you they've had the same issues since '95 and always got by.

Legend. Vale Peter.

No need to import four 2014 Super Australian props - last month completed a season of ITM Cup rugby in NZ - Toby Smith, Max Lahiff, Paul Alo-Emile (all Rebels), Albert Anae (Reds); up to 10 matches in eight weeks, maybe this recent experience will give them an advantage for the 2014 Super season. Look forward to this new crop, rather than constantly bemoaning the old/existing ones. Still plenty of time before RWC 2015 if that's the goal, starting with the mid-year tests v France.

Really sad day!! Still remember the time I was playing rugby for St Peters alongside his son Jerome and he told me to pick the biggest islander on the field and smash him and then get up and do it again haha big man with a bit heart!!!!

It was last year when Slipper was injured I am pretty sure. This year Holmes beat out even Wyatt Crockett as the most penalised prop from memory

if police started putting someone in jail after every accident even if no crime could be detected (they could just throw the guy driving the crappier car in) then the laws would most definitely need changing . you dont hear the ref ever saying the penalty was for being dominated, they're too embarrassed to admit out loud to the world that this plays a part.

if your point wasnt that aussies whinge about things you dont agree with particularly when they lose at scrums then i apologise, i would say its pretty simplistic to try and assign blame in these situations as its generally a combo of things. try to bear in mind people discussing any point individually in a single comment doesnt mean they are excluding all other factors.

yeah it does work well in league now (best evers a tough call) there is no benefit of the doubt anymore in league. if there is doubt the video ref just doesnt make a decision and the on field refs call stands.

The main and obvious difference between this Test and the Lions 1st Test is that Bryce Lawrence issued a personal apology to Sir Ian McGeechan and Phil Vickery for his mistakes. There was nothing to defend as there is here. What we have here is the usual shrill fringe lunatics doing their usual which is engaging in double standards and ridiculous hyperbole. It's utterly cringeworthy. Australian rugby is in a horrible place right now from top to bottom.

I have the perfect solution to Wallaby scrum woes.... poach some young SA or Argentine props with the lure of the Aussie dollar, and get your loose trio to keep their bloody heads down and PUSH !

Hi Scott, thanks for an excellent column (which has a growing fan base here in the republic). Over this side of the pond there is a strong view that the wallabies are currently mitigating the new rules by "stepping into" the scrum - ie the pack engages with a hit rather than binding and then pushing. The argument goes that this is being done to provide an initial momentum which will negate the stronger pack of the opposition. As a consequence the scrum takes time to settle down, is rarely stationary when the ball is fed and the ball is therefore rearely fed straight. your thoughts would be much appreciated !