Aussies need better scrum mind-set
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Wallabies prop Laurie Weeks says that Australians need to change their attitude towards the scrum if they are going to improve.
Weeks made his Test debut on the recent tour which saw the Wallabies win just one match out of four, with their scrum taken apart regularly by their northern rivals up front.
The Rebels prop, who has just signed a contract extension with the Melbourne side, said that the problem stems from the way most Australians view the scrum.
He explained that if more value was placed on the set-piece, then Australian front-row forwards would have a better chance to improve in this vital aspect of the game.
"In general I think that as Australians we don't value the scrum," Weeks told AAP.
"A lot of that comes from that spectators don't see it as an exciting part of the game but in reality it's integral so we need to focus a lot more attention on it.
"You speak to any of the front-rowers throughout Australia and they're battling that mind-set.
"They are keen to improve as scrummagers and improve our reputation but they need support as well."
Coach Michael Cheika said the Wallabies may have to start fighting illegal tactics with their own scrum hi-jinks.
Weeks agreed saying that the Australians needed to forget about a "fair go" for their opposition.
"You speak to anyone who's played in France or Europe and it's all about who can cheat the best and I think that's something we need to develop."
Having got his first opportunity at Test level when he came off the bench in two games on the Wallabies year-end tour, Weeks is determined to prove himself in Super Rugby next year in order to earn a more permanent place in Cheika's squad.
"I only had a brief taste of it and with the upcoming World Cup I just want more.
"I would love to taste international rugby again and that's a huge motivator for me," he said.
A foundation Rebel, he will be in Melbourne until at least the end of the 2017, adding to his 53 caps, after signing a two-year contract extension on Wednesday.
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