Baxter: Rolland’s rules of engagement to blame for scrum deficiencies

AUSTRALIA’S most capped Test prop Al Baxter believes Irish referee Allain Rolland deserves most of the blame for the Wallabies’ scrum woes against New Zealand in Hong Kong.

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.