Scrum must emerge from shadows
Australia's scrum reputation took another beating at the weekend, but new coach Michael Cheika believes there is a simple remedy.
The Wallabies, despite showing promise in some games, was at the receiving end of a set-piece hammering – despite sneaking a 33-28 win over Wales in Cardiff at the weekend.
Now Cheika wants his Wallabies to "love the scrum", as he looks to turn a weakness into a strength.
Australia's scrum again flattered to deceive at the weekend, with a late penalty try at the Millennium Stadium gifting Wales a sniff of victory and brought back memories of the Wallabies' most notorious struggles in the set piece.
Cheika said the scrum would be an area of focus leading into next year's World Cup.
"We've got to learn to love scrums," Cheika said.
"Get into it and enjoy it and ride the wave.
"Sometimes they go good, sometimes they don't. That's for all teams.
"You've just got to do your best, enjoy it and get stuck into it."
Cheika felt his forwards performed well against a Wales side packed with British and Irish Lions.
"I didn't think we were dominated," Cheika said.
"I think we had one poor scrum in the middle of the field where we gave away a penalty and we can't afford to do that. We can't afford to have one scrum off."
Australia will get plenty of time to work on set pieces in the upcoming Tests against France, Ireland and England.
Source: AAP
