Rugby: Wallabies can field top scrum: Robinson

Wallabies loosehead prop Benn Robinson promises a stronger tight-five for the green and gold next yera. Photo / Supplied

Wallabies stalwart Benn Robinson is convinced Australia possess the personnel to field one of the best scrums in the world despite some more shaky efforts in that critical area on their end-of-year tour.

The most experienced of Australia's prop contingent on their spring tour, Robinson was relegated to the bench for the last two tests against Italy and France despite being renowned as one of the world's finest loosehead props.

The 26-year-old Waratahs front rower certainly made a statement to coach Robbie Deans with his barn-storming performance off the bench in Australia's record-breaking 59-16 thrashing of France in Paris last weekend.

He scored just his second try in 42 tests, but more significantly his arrival and the switch to tighthead of rookie test prop James Slipper added greater stability to the previously wobbly Australian scrum. "We definitely have the personnel to have one of the best scrums in the world," Robinson said upon his return to Sydney yesterday.

No 8 Ben McCalman, who started the last seven tests of the season, made it clear he was determined to hang on to the position despite the impending return of Wycliff Palu, who was injured for the entire 2010 test season.

"I certainly won't be rolling over and giving it to him," he said.

- AAP