Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau admits AAMI Park’s unstable surface is a worry, but one that both sides will simply have to come to terms with in Saturday’s crucial second Test.
Australia needs to beat England to square up the series and keep alive their chances of obtaining the Cook Cup, which the tourists have held for the last three years.
But there are serious concerns over player safety because of the turf at the Melbourne venue, which has consistently given way under scrums at Super Rugby level for many weeks.
AAMI Park officials insist the surface will hold up on Saturday, but there is only so much work groundskeepers can do it salvage it and Polota-Nau says the Wallabies are preparing for the worst.
“The ground’s the ground. We’ve got to make best use of it,” he said.
“I think we just have to make sure we adapt to the situation quicker than England do.
“We’re not too worried about the ground, we’re just worried about keeping ball in hand.
“Obviously if we can’t get traction in the scrums that will be another issue but I’m sure come Saturday we’ll be more than prepared for it.”
The scrum battle is already in focus after England prop Dan Cole was criticised by former Wallaby Phil Kearns for deliberately and illegally angling in during the first Test, leading to the second-half yellow carding of his opposite number Scott Sio.
Top South African referee Craig Joubert will control Saturday’s match and is already under pressure to ensure no team gets an unfair advantage come scrum time.
Polota-Nau said Australian scrum coach Mario Ledesma had offered positive feedback to the forwards after the series opener.
“Mario’s assessment was that we need to be great. We were (just) good, especially when they were a bit rattled in terms of set-up and getting a penalty straight away,” he said.
“At the end of the day it’s moreso having a perfect platform for us.
“We’re always aiming for perfect. We can only get as close to as perfect.
“It’s just (about) making sure we don’t even include the referee in the situation.”
Sam
Guest
I've been on the surface of AAMI Park as spectator more than once, after the Rebels allowed fans onto the ground for retirement presentations etc. It's certainly fake turf around the edges from fence to the 2m metre mark. After that it looks like it's all organic, carbon based, old fashion lawn from end to end and side to side.
John R
Roar Guru
Seems a little contrary to the comments here: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/aami-parks-future-as-test-venue-under-threat-after-aru-threat/news-story/cb9ed826b9a94dd496a33d00a8a82e14 But I'll take your word for it. Go Wallabies.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Somebody at the ground. I played on it once in front of about 10 people a few years back.
John R
Roar Guru
Who told you that?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The AAMI Park pitch actually is something like 30% artificial grass.
John R
Roar Guru
Agreed mate. These stadiums are their own enterprises though, and act within their own interests. So not sure what recourse rugby administrators. have to influence those decisions. AAMI had always been great though, and it's just this year it's been ripping up a bit. Either way, I'm glad it's at AAMI and not at Etihad, as it's a far more suitable a ground for rugby, and I'll be there cheering on on Saturday night!
CUW
Guest
@ John R : the pitch on which the Euro final was played ; they said its partially artificial with a mesh underneath. the mesh supported the grass and there was no shifting in chunks. the euro was played in rain but the pitch held up nicely. no waterlogging also but ofcoursse it was slippery. the commentary said the pitch is ok becoz of the way it has been built. surely australia can afford to build a few grounds like that , for test purposes???
John R
Roar Guru
Allianz immediately replaced their entire surface. AAMI only replaced certain patches. That's my point. Thanks for coming in on the snark angle though bro.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Considering they did immediately following the Hurricanes game, what's your point?
John R
Roar Guru
I read some article about excessive rain and 'poor' weather conditions weakening the root structure. What I'd like to know is why they didn't do what Allianz did, and replace the entire thing at the first sign of weakness.
chracol
Guest
Tatafu Polota-Nau has also said elsewhere that England has 'woken the beast' that is the Australia scrum. Begs the question: Why was the beast sleeping in a Test?
Ralph
Roar Guru
Perhaps a stupid question, but why is the surface at AAMI Park so poor?