Baxter: Rolland’s rules of engagement to blame for scrum deficiencies
Despite scraping home for a memorable 26-24 victory over the All Blacks, the scrum was again a major problem for Robbie Deans’ men after struggling to adapt to the Irish whistle blower’s decision to prolong the engagement.
Most referees will take around five seconds to deliver the ‘crouch, touch, pause, engage’ call, but Rolland kept the two packs waiting for around 10 seconds in most instances.
While his intention was to stabilise the scrum, Rolland’s approach resulted in numerous collapses, four penalties and three free-kicks for scrum infringements.
The Wallabies, who were punished four times including twice on their own feed, became gun-shy and subsequently struggled against the superior All Blacks pack in the set-piece.
“I’ve actually said this before I think it probably destabilises the scrum having such a long pause,” Baxter said.
“Think if you had to have guys on the starting blocks running or on the blocks swimming if you had to hold them that long before they started.
“And that’s essentially what we do as well and we’ve got eight guys from both sides all having to hold that long on the blocks, so it just means that it doesn’t actually make the scrum any more stable having a really, really long call.
“So ideally if the call was shortened then you’d actually have less re-packs.”
Australia’s problems have not gone unnoticed ahead of this weekend’s clash against Wales at Millennium Stadium, with sections of the Welsh media quick to label the scrum as vulnerable.
But Baxter, who has not given up hope of returning to the Wallabies fold after being overlooked this season believes he’s can add to his 69 test caps.
“Of course I want to be there and that, I guess, gives me motivation coming up to this pre-season to go as hard as I can and hopefully get back there.
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