Dean Mumm believes Australia's scrum could be under-rated
Monday 10 August 2015 07:47, UK
Australia lock Dean Mumm feels England and Wales might be surprised by the strength of the Wallabies scrum at the World Cup.
The former Exeter Chiefs player was part of the Australia pack in their surprise 27-19 win over New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday, and it was in the forwards that the foundation for victory was built.
Mumm, who was making his first Test start since 2010, has just returned from three years in English rugby and is well aware of how Australia's scrummaging is perceived by their fellow players in the northern hemisphere.
Australia take on hosts England and Wales in an ultra-tough Pool A at the World Cup.
"The Poms are not so keen on us scrummaging, they certainly feel it's an area that can be pressured and one they feel they have dominance in," Mumm said.
"From my point of view, I think that's a great opportunity for us. We went okay in the scrum at the weekend and I think we're certainly improving as an entity there, but we still have a long way to go.
"England and Wales pride themselves massively on their scrummaging ability and their ability to put pressure on sides through that.
"If you want to be the genuine article, you have to have the ability to do that. I don't think we're 100 per cent there but we're improving."
Mumm also paid tribute to former Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma, who coach Michael Cheika brought in to his coaching staff to work on their set-pieces.
"Mario's been good," said Mumm. "He's got that balance of the Argentine and the European perspective on it from his time playing over there.
"So he understands the mentality associated with it and where scrummaging is concerned that's as big an element as any."
