RUGBY: Scrum schools up on sneaky Gregan

16/07/2007

NZPA

A facet of the All Blacks rugby armoury that escaped condemnation last weekend ironically looms as an area demanding attention ahead of the Tri-Nations rugby decider against Australia.

An under-strength South Africa posed few problems at scrum time during New Zealand's scratchy 33-6 victory in Christchurch, and although the Wallabies pack is also identified as inferior to the All Blacks come set-piece time the gamesmanship of halfback George Gregan undeniably gave the home side parity there at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on June 30.

Gregan successfully undermined an area of All Blacks strength by ignoring one of his core responsibilities -- feeding the ball when the Wallabies gained possession from an All Blacks' indiscretion.

The canny veteran was so adept at delaying the feed, a scrum barely went its course, particularly during the first half of Australia's 20-15 victory.

Gregan's tactic resulted in practically all of Australia's scrums being either reset or fragmented after South African referee Marius Jonker awarded a free kick, usually in the home side's favour.

New Zealand were regularly penalised for either engaging too early or pushing over the mark while Gregan, ball aloft, remonstrated with Jonker.

Although the canny ploy was not wholly responsible for the All Blacks' grip on the Bledisloe Cup being loosened, it was one area where Australia's street smarts negated New Zealand's ability to attack a vulnerable area.

Tony Woodcock and Carl Hayman were frequently bemused by Jonker's rulings, particularly the latter after he was penalised for collapsing on Australian loosehead Matt Dunning.

Welshman Nigel Owens will be giving his slant on the scrummage at Eden Park on Saturday night, with loosehead Woodcock admitting the pack would have to react quicker to his interpretations -- and a repeat of Gregan's time wasting.

"They conjured up a strategy there, and we were probably a little bit slow to react to what they were doing," Woodcock admitted.

"There were a couple of calls where everyone was unsure about the ref, but we've got to deal with what happens and try as be as positive as we can.

"At times it was frustrating (at the MCG). We just have to be more patient."

The frontrower was loathe to finger Gregan as the genius, offering "it's pretty hard to tell when you've got your head buried".

However, the Australian's longtime adversary Byron Kelleher acknowledged his nemesis has been at his argumentative best in Melbourne.

"Referees determine the way they like to see the game -- and George likes to get in his ear and give his opinion on what should be happening."

France-bound Kelleher plays his 54th test on Saturday -- and last on home soil -- said he would not be changing his approach and entering onto a war of words, four years after Gregan's infamous "four more years" taunt during the 2003 World Cup semifinal.

"I concentrate on trying to dominate that space and make sure the opposition halfback knows I'm on top of him."

Meanwhile, Woodcock reiterated forwards' coach Steve Hansen's plea that an increasingly edgy rugby public keep the faith ahead of what looms as a virtual World Cup dress rehearsal -- their last meaningful game before the quarterfinals in France.

"We've slowly being trying to build, we're slowly getting there," he said.

"We realise we're not right there but hopefully in the next wee while we can put things together a bit better," he said, adding the team was virtually in a no-win situation.

"Before the last World Cup we were thrashing teams, and we were peaking too early."

The All Blacks team is named tomorrow (1pm) with Kelleher expected to return to the starting line-up for Piri Weepu. Jerry Collins will be back on the blindside flank for Reuben Thorne in the other definite switch.

There will be the usual element of intrigue surrounding the midfield combination though after Conrad Smith only received three minutes at centre in Christchurch it could be considered too great a risk to turn him out against Stirling Mortlock.

Luke McAlister and Isaia Toeava appear likely to continue their partnership though the experience of second five-eighth Aaron Mauger could prompt yet more tinkering.

Copyright: NZPA 2007

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