Australian scrum anchor Sekope Kepu rated Saturday night’s tryless grind against France more satisfying than their 50-point blitz in the series opener.
Kepu and fellow front-rowers Tatafu Polota-Nau and James Slipper stood tallest for the Wallabies as their scrum overpowered Les Bleus pack at Etihad Stadium.
The set-piece was lauded by coach Ewen McKenzie who, at the same time, lamented his side’s lack of attacking patience and precision in a 6-0 victory.
Kepu was delighted the Wallabies showed they could muscle up and win through strength and character, not just when clean ball is laid on a platter for their dangerous backline as in the 50-23 first Test win in Brisbane last weekend.
“It’s one of those ones that’s probably better for you,” the tighthead prop said. “It was just a tougher battle.
“I feel it’s more satisfying.
“It was a grind and a test of character tonight and to come away with a win at Test match level I will take a win like that any day.”
Kepu admitted there were “a lot of things to fix” for the third Test in Sydney next Saturday but a sixth straight victory showed they were heading in the right direction leading into the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship.
A scrum demolition of the French midway through the second half highlighted the leaps the Australian forwards have made since being taught a lesson by New Zealand and South Africa last year.
“The scrum tonight was a hard-fought battle and I felt like we did a good job tonight,” Kepu said.
“(But) this week means nothing, we have to do it next week and again after that.”
dsat24
The worst game I have ever had the misfortune to view, methinks Kep wants another game.
Harry
Guest
Also should note that 3 new forwards débuted last night - Charles, Weeks and Jones. Useful depth being built. One of Link's strengths at the Reds and NSW was placing confidence in players to step up and do the job.
Harry
Guest
Kepu has good reason to be pleased. Took on a good NH scrum with a sympathetic ref (for the NH side) and held their own after a couple of early penalties. They missed Paul providing a bit of go forward but overall a good forward effort.
Bako
Guest
Tread carefully in the land of 'What if', Hal. Its a very uneven surface and full of unpredictability.
AdamS
Roar Guru
A lot of words but you don;t seem to be saying anything. Boks beat Wales by 22, a team that has rarely troubled either the AB's or Wobblies, how would they easily beat the AB's or Wobblies by 40 if they can't do it at home to Wales?. Are you suggesting that Wales would put 20 on both the AB's and Wobblies? Nonsense. France select Expat players and are down 2-0 in the series. Wales select Expat players and just got flogged by the Boks. Argentina selects Expats (lacking a pro domestic comp) and just lost a series at home to Ireland for the first time. What exactly is your point there? That if we had Gits, JOC and Mitchell on the park we might be down 0-2 also? Open the pod bay doors HAL, I think you need some fresh air...
Hal V
Guest
The Wallabies supporters all need to watch the replay of the Springbok's annihilation of Wales in South Africa yesterday to understand Australia's true place in the World rugby ratings. On the evidence available Victor Matfield's team would have comfortably defeated both the Wallabies and the All Blacks by over 40 points. All that saved Australia from defeat by Les Bleues in the Second Test was that the match was not being played in Paris. With the enthusiastic support of a home crowd France would have been comfortable victors last night. By the way perhaps the all knowing and highly paid ARU executives have not yet noticed that France, South Africa, Wales and Argentina all select overseas based players to represent their country in test matches.
wazza perth nz ex pat
Guest
They were playing a team with a forward pack of little people - and did not dominate !! Kepu and the rest of the pack need to go back to school !! .
ethan
Guest
This. One for the players, not the fans.
B-Rock
Roar Guru
Good to see the Wallabies prevail in an forward dominated battle but I dont think many of the 28,000 fans will be flocking back to the next Melbourne test - didn't seem like much atmosphere with the place half full and nothing much to cheer about on the field.
DMac
Guest
I believe the change was forced on the wallabies by France putting 14 in the defensive line. The aim of the kicking was to get the wings to drop back, but it was just so poorly executed.
Mane Tahuta
Guest
Agree
Dandaman
Roar Rookie
One must think that EM has a plan when he changed the tactics so much from last week. I think it was a very deliberate strategy to give the wallabies a plan B that they are familiar with so that they can change tactics easily from match to match and even during matches. They stuck at the field position game doggedly even when France were down a man and on a dry track that was made for running rugby. One worrying thing was the continuous use of the pick and go in the 2nd half when we were attacking the French line. This is something that Qld have over used at times during EM tenure as coach there (sure do it enough to drag defenders in and create opportunities out wide but do not become so obvious that it is easy to defend).