Rugby: Sloppy scrum taints Chiefs

Waratah Luke Burgess waits for the ball to emerge. The Chiefs conceded a penalty try on Friday for bringing down their scrum. Photo / Getty Images

A source of confusion in previous weeks, the Chiefs scrum is now a source of contention that will potentially drag them to the bottom of the Super Rugby sea.

For the last few weeks, Chiefs coach Ian Foster has insisted there has been much to be pleased at in the way the pack has scrummaged. At various points against the Rebels, Sharks and Blues it was easy to see why he felt that way.

But for much longer periods it appeared as if the Chiefs were being belted; their props being forced up or down, or out or in. These troubled moments have been put down to referee interpretations, but now that line barely has credibility.

Against the Waratahs on Friday night, the Chiefs conceded a penalty try - one that many felt should have been awarded against them the previous week as well.

The timing of the award by referee Jaco Peyper may fool some into arguing about the decision. He ran under the sticks, accusing the seven-man Chiefs of bringing down yet another scrum when it appeared that the Waratahs had in fact tripped, lost control and collapsed.

points can't be ignored - like why the Chiefs had been reduced to seven men. Peyper had no choice but to send Nathan White to the bin after he was adjudged to have deliberately collapsed an under-pressure scrum for the third time in a row. His patience wearing thin and warnings having been made, Peyper gave the penalty try when the next scrum went down.

It may have been better for the Chiefs if Peyper had been able to wait until it was unambiguous; until no one could dispute that it was the Chiefs who buckled and tried to defend their line illegally.

However much the Chiefs howl in derision; however much they insist they are the victims of poor officials, there won't be any escape from the cold truth. Their scrummaging is in desperate need of improvement. It has to be consistent for 80 minutes and they have to get a handle on what referees want.

Rugby is not the sort of sport where sympathy is doled out to self-proclaimed victims and the Chiefs could reach June bottom of the conference, offering nothing but excuses.

Foster, at least, was not trying to dodge the truth. "We painted a negative picture in our first two scrums and after that we were always going to be the ones to come under the most scrutiny."

With just two victories under their belt and a trip to Africa and two games against the Crusaders to come, their season now is about what they can salvage. Their tight five are playing for their reputations - Hika Elliot being especially keen to make sure his accuracy and dynamism help him stand out.

Liam Messam is playing for a place at the World Cup and would dearly love some help from his team-mates. With his range of skills, it's easier for Messam to make a statement as part of a winning team; one that is going forward and dominating opponents.

Richard Kahui will be anxious. He needs the ball in his hands to show that his attacking threat is just as great as his explosive defensive power. How he must look over at the free-flowing Robbie Fruean and feel pangs of envy.

Even Sitiveni Sivivatu will be aware that he might not be safe. There are options on the wing - Ben Smith, Isaia Toeava, Rene Ranger and Israel Dagg are all playing superbly. Cory Jane and Hosea Gear will no doubt find their best form shortly and reputation alone might not be enough for Sivivatu to make the World Cup grade.

As for Foster, he won't be with the Chiefs next year. His eight-year reign needed a big finale. He won't be getting that now. But he needs a job at the end of the campaign and, while speculation is intense that he may already have one secured in Europe, he'll surely want to show his ability to manage the side through this period of adversity.

"You don't want to be a team that falls away, particularly in this year," says Foster. "We haven't had the results we wanted and that is hurting us. But we have got standards and if we can get some momentum, then we are certainly not out of this."