The rugby world has turned upside down. Australia, with its infamous history of scrum woes, has forced France – who fete their props like heroes – into drastic front-row changes for Saturday night’s second Test at Etihad Stadium.
Powerful and crafty scrummaging props are as French as croissants – it’s their bread and butter.
But Les Bleus coach Philippe Saint-Andre has lamented the dearth of quality front-rowers in his country following their 50-23 opening Test pounding by the Wallabies.
Saint-Andre has dumped both of his starting props, veteran tighthead Nicholas Mas and grizzled loosehead Thomas Domingo, to expose the uncapped Alexandre Menini and seven-Test Rabah Slimani in Melbourne.
The coach admitted the changes were a result of a poor scrum in Brisbane, continuing their dramas with referees during this year’s Six Nations, as well as a need to build depth.
France’s cashed-up Top 14 league is growing bigger each year but it’s costing Les Bleus in several positions, particularly in the front-row.
“We don’t have too many props in France because they’re all foreigners so we need to (expose them),” Saint-Andre told AAP.
“If we don’t try out some props in a tour 15 months from the World Cup, we’ll never try them.
“This is an opportunity to see them in a fantastic contest.”
Normally the tourists enter Test matches against Australia targeting the scrum, but not at the moment.
As well as English, New Zealand, Argentinian and Georgian props filling about half the prop positions in the France’s Top 14 league, the Wallabies are patching up their long-time Achilles heel.
Rising loosehead James Slipper underlined his talent at Suncorp Stadium by outpointing 72-cap Mas, 34, in his 50th Test – just a day after turning 25.
Two days later Slipper was elevated to the vice-captaincy.
The Australian scrum’s stocks have gradually started to rise since last year’s Rugby Championship after coming to terms with the new soft engagement laws.
“If you have a good scrum the morale of the team picks up and everyone gets excited and looking for a result at the scrum,” Slipper said.
But chinks still remain in the Aussie armour.
The French, with their front-row reserves opposing the Wallabies replacements, scored a pushover penalty try on fulltime, which led to back-up tighthead Paddy Ryan’s axing.
MikeD
Guest
This. Ryan's technical frailties have been discussed very thoroughly around here and that last scrum managed to pretty much highlight all of them.
formeropenside
Guest
Paddy Ryan at THP.
RobC
Roar Guru
EM and Blades has done a good job, in concentrating on fixing, then strengthening the WB scrum whilst on tour. Believe it started in the Rosario match last year. Dipped a bit against England but recovered since. Kudos also to Oz SR teams for their vastly improved set piece. Still not right, but a 200% improvement.
Bakkies
Guest
France scrummaged like they can. The collapsing tactics to milk a pen happened a lot under the old laws with teams that are weak at the hit trying to con the ref but with the new laws they should be scrummaging to their strengths.
Bakkies
Guest
France scrummaged like they can. The collapsing tactics to milk a pen happened a lot under the old laws with teams that are weak at the hit trying to con the ref but with the new laws they should be scrummaging to their strengths.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
JB - You sound like the right bloke to ask this question to, and keep in mind this is coming from a long retired former outside back. :( Just what did happen to our scrum in those last minutes of the test? Did we : * just lose concentration * suffer from the replacements * France suddenly got smarter * those things just happen * all of the above * none of the above Any ideas? Feel free to jump in guys. I'm being fair dinkum when I say that 'I just can't work it out'. :(
Joe Blow
Guest
Chinks do remain and we have a very soft underbelly that the French will look to expose this weekend. The much maligned Ben Alexander is now sorely missed as he and Kepu are our only test grade TH props at the moment. Laurie Weeks gets his chance this weekend and I hope he goes well. One can only wonder why Scott Sio is not in the 23 again. He looks a very good prospect and one would think an excellent back-up for James Slipper. France may have jumped the gun by replacing their starting props from last week based on the last couple of scrums in the first test. They were against our second stringers and they may not enjoy the same level of success this week. On the other hand if the game is tight and Mas and co are introduced against Cowan, Charles and Weeks it may just win them the game in the last 20 minutes. Either way it will be fascinating viewing.