Mitchell willing to help wobbly Aussie scrum

John Mitchell has reaffirmed his willingness to help embattled Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, ironically the man who effectively ended his All Blacks coaching career at the last rugby World Cup.

Mitchell, jettisoned by the New Zealand Rugby Union after the All Blacks failed bid to win the Webb Ellis Trophy in 2003, has been earmarked as a possible saviour for a malfunctioning Australian scrum whose deficiencies were laid bare by a ruthless England at Twickenham last weekend.

When the former England assistant coach was appointed to lead the Western Force into the new Super 14 competition earlier this year, he would not rule out a future role in the Wallabies management.

That possibility was revisited in wake of England's 26-16 victory, a margin that did not adequately represent the forward domination the home side exerted at scrum time.

The English pack was so dominant prop Al Baxter was sinbinned for repeated infringements and fellow front rower Matt Dunning left Twickenham in a neck brace after the Wallabies pack yet again folded under pressure.

Credited with constructing the pack that paved the way for England's success at the 2003 World Cup, Mitchell said he was happy to perform a similar role with an Australian team currently on a seven-test losing streak.

"I'm prepared to assist the Wallabies in whatever way I can. The Force are my first priority, but yes, I'd be prepared to help. I already have a good relationship with Eddie Jones."

The Daily Telegraph newspaper today reported Mitchell was on a shortlist of potential forwards coaches being considered by the Australian Rugby Union for next season.

Mitchell said the Wallabies have been found out in the scrum this season because referees are now allowing the brutal physical contest they had outlawed for several years.

The remedy involved overhauling personnel, mindset and strategy, plus establishing a development programme to unearth more aggressive front rowers -- a mould Dunning and Baxter hardly fit into.

"England take a lot of pride in that (scrummaging) area, they enjoy it, it's not secondary to them," he said.

"There has to be a mentality in the Australian side now that you don't go out to hold or create deceptions.

"It's now clearly a contest. The scrum has evolved in 2005 and will continue to evolve next year. You've got to have the artillery."

Mitchell said the emergence of a destructive loosehead prop was another feature of this international calendar.

"England have got it with Andy Sheridan, the All Blacks with Tony Woodcock and the Springboks through the return of Os du Randt."

Although the Wallabies were taken apart by England, Mitchell was optimistic about the future of their front row providing certain strategies were implemented.

"There are three keys -- profiling the type of player you want, making the right selection and development. It's not an insurmountable problem. Just a matter of changing the focus and strategy.

"You also want to be setting up front row coaches in each state, guys who can coach other coaches."

Clinics were also required for young players though Mitchell, mindful the front row is seen as a dangerous area, said they had to be conducted in a way "that you're educating the mums so they're comfortable that it is a safe environment."

- NZPA