Elsom deflects NZ 'cheat' claims
Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:44
The mind games between Australia and New Zealand is well underway ahead of their eagerly awaited Tri-Nations clash in Sydney this coming weekend.
The latest instalment in the war of words has revolved around the Australian scrum, with various camps in New Zealand claiming that the Australians were guilty of illegal tactics at scrum-time.
Aussie flank Rocky Elsom came to the defence of his team on Tuesday after former All Black prop John Drake claimed that the Aussie front row interfered illegally in the scrums during the 16-9 win over the Springboks in Perth last weekend.
Elsom refuted Drake's claims, stating that it would not benefit the Aussie forwards to resort to such tactics.
"I think that's probably the last thing we want to do just because when the scrum gets collapsed we usually get penalised first," said the Waratahs flank.
"So that probably wouldn't help us a whole lot."
Elsom complimented the Wallaby front row for their performance against the world champion Springboks in Perth.
"[It was a] pretty complete performance from the front row," Elsom told sportal.com.au.
"I think they had a good stable platform the whole game. They weren't really worried too much so I think that was a great sign for them."
Despite the encouraging signs, Elsom still expected the All Black clash to be as tough as ever this coming weekend.
"I think that one thing about the New Zealand scrum is they usually opt to different tactics than the South Africans just because they don't rely on their size and strength as much as the South Africans do," Elsom explained.
The dynamic Waratah also felt that there was not much to choose between Auckland and Blues flank Daniel Braid, and inspirational All Black skipper Richie McCaw at openside flank.
McCaw, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, has been bracketed along with Braid at openside flank for Saturday's match. New Zealand management will make a decision on McCaw's availability later in the week.
"I think he's a tremendous player [and] you also get a bit of the affect where a guy that hasn't played for the All Blacks rises to the occasion," Elsom said.
"Possibly week in week out he wouldn't have the same effect that Richie would have but he definitely can mix it with the best of them."
He added: "You've got to be prepared for someone to be hard on the ball the whole time and I think whether Richie plays or Daniel plays you're going to get that."
"So that's something we're going to have to face whether [McCaw] plays or not."
