New Zealand’s scrum simply is not as good as South Africa’s and rather than admit it, the All Blacks have chosen to question the legitimacy of the Springbok set-piece, argues Nick Mallett.
The world champions and Dave Rennie’s charges will lock up at FNB Stadium on Saturday in the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and the series 1-1, and the Boks scrummaging still a hot topic for debate.
Writing for News24, Mallett insists the Boks are not employing illegal scrum tactics, pointing to recent drone footage he says shows the Bok front row square and straight while the Kiwi props are angled roughly 15% inward before the ball is even fed.
MALLETT: All Blacks are cheating
The former Bok coach explains that when the All Blacks push from that angle under pressure, it can force the Bok scrum to wheel, creating the appearance of walking around.
Mallett says none of the Bok scrums collapsed in the second Test while several All Blacks scrums did, and argues referees must simply ensure both front rows are parallel before the put-in and then allow whichever side gains forward dominance to keep the advantage.
AFRICA PICKS: Springboks vs All Blacks betting odds
He warns World Rugby must be careful that depowering the scrum does not strip out a set-piece Rassie Erasmus and scrum coach Daan Human have spent years building into a genuine weapon, or risk turning rugby into a form of Rugby League.
“Dominating at scrum time gives the Springboks a huge advantage in the game.” Mallett writes. “For international teams playing against South Africa, it’s absolutely critical to get their scrum right.
Photo: Tom Jenkins/Getty Images
The post Mallett: All Blacks can’t outscrum Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
New Zealand’s scrum simply is not as good as South Africa’s and rather than admit it, the All Blacks have chosen to question the legitimacy of the Springbok set-piece, argues Nick Mallett.
The post Mallett: All Blacks can’t outscrum Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
