Rugby: Kiwi-coached pack makes world sit up

Steve McDowall. Photo / APN

Romania might consider putting an Iron Curtain around their training sessions over the next few weeks at the Rugby World Cup.

The binoculars of spies are sure to be focused on the forwards who are coached and conditioned by 1987 All Black World Cup winner Steve McDowall.

Looking at the intimidating mugs of their tight five, it seems as if McDowall has been ushered behind the old Iron Curtain and had first pick of the biggest, meanest, most skilful engine room men in Transylvania.

Scotland loosehead prop Allan Jacobsen summed up the gruelling contest up front: "We've secured a bonus point win with four tries but I feel like we've been beaten. I feel embarrassed about what happened out there.

"Their forwards got into the game through driving lineouts, strong scrums and pick-and-gos which we couldn't deal with. We gave away stupid penalties, too. We just didn't deal with it. When they got on a roll, they also grew in stature."

Coach Romeo Gontineac says McDowall's input has been crucial: "He's a world champion and has brought his best skills to us."

That view was matched by hooker, skipper and yesterday's man-of-the match Marius Tincu: "He has helped so much with our technique in scrums and mauls."

Despite the 34-24 loss, McDowall was satisfied, given Romania were the last team to qualify for the tournament.

"It is always pleasing to see your forwards setting a decent platform. Individually the players are not bad but collectively they often fall apart. The idea I've been trying to instil is that this tournament is about three or four hard matches."

McDowall has been based in Bucharest, the Romanian capital, for three-and-a-half years with his family there for the last two. The former All Black loosehead prop has limited stock to pick from.

Romania has about 800 senior players with the better ones playing in France, Italy and England. Of the 20 teams in two divisions, McDowall says only the top four play to Auckland second division club rugby standard.

"However, earlier this year I was the director of a local tournament and we had a lot of young players coming through. They need to keep developing those age group levels."

McDowall cited yesterday's try-scorer Mihaita Alexandru Lazar as an example of someone to do that.

"He's come a long way. We've worked together throughout my time there. He has the ability to play loosehead and tighthead. He showed his class and will be hunted by European clubs after this tournament.

"Who can blame the players for wanting to put a 'for sale' sign on their heads.

"They don't earn a lot of money in Romania and a lot of them are passionate about rugby so if they get into the right environment they can do a lot of good for themselves but also Romania by bringing that experience back."