Mike Cron interview: The scrum? Full of characters and scallywags

Interview: Scrum doctor Mike Cron went from poacher to gamekeeper when he turned in his All Blacks training top for a World Rugby role as a set-piece consultant. His verdict on the tight at the World Cup? 'I reckon they got 90% right'

New Zealand's scrum at the World Cup. 'It is a magnificent launching pad if you do it correctly. You need the cattle and the right attitude'

Lucky number seven. After six World Cups as a coach, five men’s and one with the Black Ferns, New Zealand scrum guru Mike Cron switched sides for the latest tournament and took up a role with World Rugby.

“It was interesting being on the dark side,” the master of his art says with a laugh. Cron is one of the sport’s most respected coaches, having worked with the All Blacks for 210 test matches as well as with the Crusaders and Canterbury. In 2022, he covered for Greg Feek in the opening summer test against Ireland due to a Covid-19 outbreak.