Wallabies scrum facing its toughest challenge

Updated September 13, 2012 17:48:36

The Pumas may be ranked eighth in the world but Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau believes their forward play is without peer in the southern hemisphere.

Polota-Nau has warned the Wallabies forwards face their toughest assignment in the Rugby Championship on Saturday night by rating Argentina's pack the best in the competition.

The Pumas may be ranked eighth in the world but Polota-Nau believes their forward play is without peer in the southern hemisphere.

The tournament newcomers have certainly made an instant splash in the four-nation competition by unsettling both New Zealand and South Africa in the opening three rounds.

Polota-Nau spelt out the danger the big, aggressive Argentine forwards pose at scrum time and at the breakdown by remarking their play was superior to the world champion All Blacks and Springboks.

"It's on par, but if anything better," the 37-Test rake said.

The Pumas' bruising defence and their ability to turnover possession by throwing numbers into the rucks and mauls were a highlight in their 16-all draw against the Boks before scaring the All Blacks at 9-5 down 65 minutes into last weekend's Wellington Test.

"They probably have the stats for the highest turnovers and it's because of all their forwards working so well in the defensive area and jackling (winning the ball) and creating such a mess at the breakdown," Polota-Nau said.

"Technically if we're not sound we'll get punished.

"So as a contest it's on par or if not better because I think from (numbers) one to eight they can all be jacklers."

Winger Digby Ioane also underlined the challenge at the tackle area for the Wallabies at Gold Coast's Skilled Park: "They're ruthless at the breakdown so that's our main focus."

Australia's scrum performed solidly in their past two outings but the selection of 122kg lock Kane Douglas, over the lighter Rob Simmons, to replace the injured Sitaleki Timani has shown they're also wary about being outmuscled by the Pumas in the set-piece.

In scrummaging work, the Wallabies have prepared for all matter of surprises from a team renowned for their hostility and power up front.

"That's the beauty of the Argies, they're quite the unorthodox team so we actually don't know what to expect," Polota-Nau said.

"We're prepping by all means necessary to make sure that any scenario we can (1) stop but (2) stick to our plan - of getting the ball in and out and let the backs do the rest."

Pumas prop Marcos Ayerza stressed the tourists see scrum dominance as a huge mental and physical boost.

"It's historically been a main objective for any Argentinian team, to have a solid scrum and build from that psychological domination, and we're trying to bring that back," he said.

"From that dominance, even if it might be an inch, you start building your confidence with every part of the game."

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, robina-4226, qld, australia

First posted September 13, 2012 17:48:36

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Wallabies lose scrum guru

Updated July 10, 2012 15:23:59

Wallabies scrum consultant Patricio Noriega has stepped down from his role to take up a coaching position with French Top 14 side Racing Metro.

Noriega joined the Wallabies' staff in 2009 as scrum coach and will work as an assistant to fellow former Argentine international Gonzalo Quesada at Racing metro, one of the French club giants.

He played 25 Tests for Argentina before relocating to Australia to join the Brumbies in 1996, the move allowing him to become eligible for the Wallabies under residency rules by 1998.

Noriega made 24 appearances for the Wallabies prior to retiring in 2003.

He served as a scrum consultant to the Wallabies during last month's Tests against Wales and Scotland.

Tags: rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted July 10, 2012 15:23:59

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Reds wary of Crusaders' scrum weapon

Updated July 9, 2011 13:45:00

The Queensland Reds have identified the Crusaders' damaging scrum as a major "point-scoring weapon" they must nullify in Saturday night's Super Rugby final.

Reds skipper James Horwill said it was essential his under-rated pack stood up to the set-piece challenge at a sold-out Lang Park.

The Crusaders forwards destroyed the Stormers in their 29-10 semi-final victory in Cape Town and they have consistently won games through pressuring rivals into conceding scrum penalties.

With peerless five-eighth Dan Carter in signature form with the boot, the Cantabrians regularly earn three points on the back of their scrum dominance.

"They showed that last week against the Stormers," Horwill said.

"They attack the scrum and we're prepared for that.

"It's a points-scoring weapon for them to get penalties and put points on the board."

But Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder does not believe his side will have it all their own way at scrum-time, marvelling how the young Reds front row consistently hold their own.

Blackadder said Queensland had been efficient in getting quick and clean ball out to half-back Will Genia and his loose forwards needed to be wary about the ball being used before they detach.

"We have to be careful not to overcommit in the scrum," he said.

While Carter registered seven from seven last week in Cape Town, Cooper kicked just three from seven in an otherwise outstanding personal display in the Reds' 30-13 win over the Blues in Brisbane.

Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie has backed his playmaker to again rise to the challenge, as he has enjoyed a happy knack of producing his most accurate kicking displays when his side needed them most.

"He's kicked some brilliant goals for us," McKenzie said.

"He's won us a lot more games than he's lost - he's well and truly ahead on the ledger."

While the Crusaders have seven titles in the 15 previous Super Rugby seasons, the Reds have yet to win a trophy in the professional era and last made the play-offs in 2001.

Queensland won two Super 10 titles in 1994 and 1995 before the game turned professional.

-AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000, new-zealand

First posted July 9, 2011 13:16:00

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The Future of the Scrum, Is It Ruining Rugby?

The Scrum in Rugby Union and Rugby League

A big difference between rugby union and rugby league is how each code handles what happens when the ball goes forward off one of the players. To the casual observer what happens after is the same as both use the scrum. However, apart from superficial similarities both are quite different.

When a ball goes forward off a player, either by a forward pass or a knock-on, both codes reset play with a scrum. However, the scrum in rugby union is completely contested. Referees watch carefully to make sure both team engage at the same time and bind correctly, and try to make sure the halfback puts the ball into the scrum fairly straight. From there a torrid affair begins where both teams push and twist trying to force their way over the ball or to disrupt the other team.

A lot of pressure goes through the spines of the tight five, and especially the front row. Because of this specialists are required for the front row positions, and if a team cannot provide enough front row specialists at any point of the game then scrums become uncontested, for safety's sake. Due to all the different technical elements involved in a rugby union scrum there are usually a lot of scrum resets as the referee tries to bring all the different elements together at the right time, including how square the front rows are to each other, pushing straight, the correct distance apart, the binding of all 16 forwards is correct, and as mentioned the halfback putting the ball in straight. Further more, because of the force expended and the fact that rugby is a winter sport members of the front row might slip over, causing another reset.

On the surface the scrum in league may seem to be the same. It contains two less players but both packs push against each other while the halfback rolls the ball in. However, the rugby league is largely uncontested which makes a big difference in how the scrum operates technically. The packs lightly engage with each other and the halfback quickly rolls the ball back to the loose forward or lock packing down at the back of the scrum. It is a very quick way to reset play.

If you found this information useful, check out my my rugby union website for more information on rugby versus league or my rugby league website for rugby league news, comments and game reviews.