3. Robertson discusses’ scrum-time scrutiny and prop Fin Baxter’s first start for England
A major talking point following the first test in Dunedin, was the way the scrum was handled at key stages of the match. There has been a considerable amount of criticism this week from former front rowers, with Adam Jones, Brian Moore and David Flatman all weighing in on All Black loose-head Ethan de Groot’s unpenalised errors.
There were question marks raised around how the referee for the first Test, Nika Amushukeli, went about managing the scrums. The Georgian referee was called out for not picking up on the illegal drives and wheeling offences, with the hope that this Saturday’s referee, Australian official Nic Berry, will be hot on the whistle and penalised such offences.
SCOTT ROBERTSON: Jason Ryan (All Blacks forwards coach) has worked hard making sure we’ve got, clear pictures, and what the refs need to see from us. You can always be better in that area, and create dominance, but with good pictures to make it clear for Nic Berry this week.”
“It’s an interpretation of the rules, that’s our game, that’s our beautiful game innit. We know Nic and what he likes to see. We’ll give him those pictures as much as we possibly can, and are really clear what World Rugby want to see around the protocols, foul play, breakdown, scrum pictures. We’ve done our homework to make sure they see it.”
“The boys do their homework, like anybody. It’s a special, unique contest in our game, the scrum. As soon as there’s an arm that goes out it’s “what’s going to happen next?” and there’s a group of 8 guys that get really excited about that opportunity. It can create dominance if you do it well, if you’re all connected, and so the picture that’s required for that scrum. Jason Ryan has been round a while now, and has put a bit of expectation on our guys to get that right.”
“He’s (Fin Baxter) a good player. We watched him through the Premiership, and he’s got a good future.”
“They’re all ball players (All Blacks props), have got good feet, can play short at the line. You can see how mobile they are, that’s one thing we’re really excited about, the quality of the athletes that can scrum. It’s unique.
“We’ll have a bit more chance for them to carry, or use the ball a bit more. It’s the same around the line-out. They’re big, tall men, so if we can get some big lifts that’s another strength of ours.”
4. The Eden Park impact- Robertson addresses the All Blacks’ 30-year record in Auckland
It has been heavily reported in the previewing media, that the All Blacks’ 30-year long record of consecutive Test matches is on the line this Saturday. Whilst the series can not be won by England, as the best Steve Borthwick’s men can do is draw the two-match event, the focus turns to the long standing record of dominance that the All Blacks have enforced in Auckland.
SCOTT ROBERTSON: “Yeah with Eden Park and the period of time with their successes, it is all about the effort. Everything is earned there. We respect what has been before and now it is our opportunity. It is home. Just the feel of it. People come with expectation and good memories with it.”