Elsom fears scrum perception

ROCKY ELSOM fears referee Romain Poite’s memory of Australia’s scrum being demolished by England will count against them in today’s (11am) second Test.

The Wallabies’ rookie front row was crushed and prop Salesi Ma’afu sin-binned as England’s pack earned two penalty tries.

Australia head coach Robbie Deans has kept faith with Ma’afu, hooker Saia Faingaa and loosehead prop Ben Daley for today’s showdown with England in Sydney.

Elsom has been impressed by the front row’s reaction to all the criticism this week – but he knows how important it is they make an immediate and positive impression on the officials.

Asked whether the perception of Australia as a weak scrummaging team had returned, Elsom said: “I think that’s the way it works.

“Even if you watch a replay it is hard to see exactly what is going on in the scrum. It is not until you watch in super slow-mo a few times that you realise where it went wrong.

“There is an element of that perception that goes on and for a referee who has to make a decision on the spot, that’s going to play a part in the decision.

“The first few engagements will be reasonably telling. Part of being a good scrum and a good front row is being able to deal with whatever the referee serves up. The guys know that.”

Nick Easter has demanded England unleash all their anger on Australia so they can head into the summer with no regrets.

The Harlequins number eight was furious after England blew a golden chance to beat the injury-hit Wallabies in last week’s first Test.

“We’ve got the chance to put the record straight and the message now is: don’t go home angry. That’s the last thing we want to do,” said Easter.

“We’ve got to be better. We want to go into the summer pleased with ourselves with a big performance in the bag, not stewing on what we’ve done badly.”

“We’re pretty confident we have the ability to do it.”