Gregan supported against tide of criticism

George Gregan is coming in for a barrage of criticism in his homeland Australia.

Former All Blacks first five-eighth Grant Fox and current forwards coach Steve Hansen have defended Wallabies halfback George Gregan from continual calls for his axeing.

Not about to put the boot in and spoil an otherwise amicable build-up to tomorrow's Bledisloe Cup/Tri-Nations showdown at Eden Park, the pair have sympathised with Gregan, who has played under a constant stream of criticism from parts of the Australian media since the 2003 World Cup.

"I think it's a disgrace really," Hansen said of a campaign to sack Gregan ahead of next year's World Cup.

"He's a bloke who's played 125 tests, he's probably been the greatest halfback we've seen at his best -- in his prime -- and here he is copping all this flak from his own country."

Fox said he felt empathy for Gregan because he found himself in the same situation after New Zealand lost the 1991 World Cup semifinal to Australia.

"I have a huge amount of sympathy for George because (public speculation over my involvement in the team) happened to me post-1991 World Cup. It's not pleasant," Fox told The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

" I don't think some of the issues with the Wallabies game are solely down to George Gregan; I mean, I wouldn't like to be working behind the scrum at the moment, to be honest, and also, in Brisbane, the All Blacks won the breakdown contest.

"That's very hard for any halfback to operate when your forwards aren't winning the physical contest at the breakdown."

First five-eighth Stephen Larkham has also been under the spotlight, albeit to a lesser degree, after back-to-back performances against the All Blacks and South Africa fell below his usual high standards.

Larkham played one of his most forgettable tests in the ugly 20-18 "kickathon" defeat of the Springboks in Sydney two weeks ago.

The timing, a week after he uncharacteristically blew a match-winning chance by passing over the sideline in the against New Zealand, has prompted questions about the veteran maestro's game.

However, Hansen was convinced the veteran pivot remains a class act.

"He's still a pretty complete rugby player," said Hansen, a former provincial centre with Canterbury.

"There's been a lot of talk about him and George ... but having played in the backs I known the quality of ball makes a big difference.

"They've struggled a little bit with their scrum and their own lineout at times -- you don't get in the driving seat if you're on the back foot."

Fox expected the Wallabies to again endure a torrid time at both the scrum and breakdown, though they will feel more comfortable at the lineout -- a perennial area of concern for the All Blacks.

"When Australia kick this time they will be happy to kick the ball out, because they will back their lineout."

- NZPA