White questions Australian scrum

[Burgs]

White questions Australian scrum

Liam Del Carme
Monday, July 2, 2007

The Wallabies sowed the seeds in Cape Town, the All Blacks watered the plants in Durban and now Springbok rugby coach Jake White has joined the practice by questioning the legality of his opponents' technique in the scrum.

White expressed some unflattering views about Australia's scrum after the Tri Nations Test in Melbourne, where the home team recorded a surprise 20-15 victory over New Zealand at the weekend.

The scrums were "a bit of a mess," White said. He felt the Wallabies were worried that they would be scrummed off the ball, and therefore used illegal tactics.

"They engaged just before the referee's command to do so. This is illegal," White said.

By doing so, the Australians broke their opponents' momentum and prevented the All Black from "getting in a good right shoulder".

The Springbok coach said he would bring that to the attention of Paul Honiss, the referee for the Test between Australia and South Africa here on Saturday.

Criticism and some sarcastic remarks were expressed about the South African scrum early in the Tri Nations competition. Much of it was aimed at B.J. Botha's technique but the powerful tighthead prop is not touring with Bob Skinstad's team.

Botha is one of 20 Springboks who remained at home to follow a conditioning programme with a view to the World Cup tournament in France later this year.

Australia scrummed well in the Tri Nations opener at Newlands but White is not concerned about this department.

Australian coach John Connolly has singled out loosehead prop Matt Dunning for his team's success in the set pieces. "We will field a very experienced front row against the Wallabies," White said on Sunday, referring to C.J. van der Linde, Gary Botha and Cobus Visagie.

"It may be necessary to take a look at the Wallaby scrum," he added.

While he was at it, White also pointed out some questionable All Black tactics.

"I think Marius Jonker (the referee in the Melbourne Test) deserves praise for penalising the All Blacks for slowing down Australia's ball.

"The All Blacks have been getting away with murder for a long time. Whenever they are under pressure within their 22-metre area, they smother the ball.

"They are willing to concede three points and deny their opponents the opportunity to score seven

"It was good to see them being penalised for it. It is unbelievable to see how often they kill the ball when you look at them unemotionally," White said.

News24.com/Beeld

[The EnForcer]

Pot, kettle, black springs to mind for some reason.

[Ecky]

"It was good to see them being penalised for it. It is unbelievable to see how often they kill the ball when you look at them unemotionally," White said.

Um, yes, right back atcha, Jake

[pruc]

what the springbok arent happy because we know how to do it better?

[AndyS]

Personally, I thought the scrums were down to the ref on Saturday - what happened to TouchPause as one word? I mean, it was only an IRB directive...

[GIGS20]

It's good to know Jake actually holds an opinion on all these indiscretions by the Kiwi forwards. I thought the boks did it out of ignorance.......It appears it's arrogance and hypocrisy that motivates their penchant for doing everything their head coach just complained about others getting away with. BTW I thought Matty Dunning played out of his skin on Saturday and have stopped thinking of him as a nice soft pillow for other props to throw around.

[JediKnight]

White questions the Wallabies scrum?

Maybe a full-strength Saffer pack might cause the Wallabies some problems in the tight up front......but their 2nd string bunch of namby pambies ain't going to worry the Wallabies now!!!

[prop53]

yout right there Andy it was the refs job and he did it pityfull in regard to the scrums. It came down to the toss of the coin to which of the teams would be penalised for early engage. As i have said before most of the refs are good in open play but do need to go to prop school to learn something of the scrum.