a rant - scrummaging is still ALIVE

for the last couple of years, people have reiterated that scrummaging no longer exists in New Zealand rugby.. mostly Northern Hemisphere journalists including the much maligned Stephen Jones, but even New Zealanders have had doubts over the scrummaging abilities of the present generation of All Blacks especially during the mobility era under John Mitchell.. but last night's game against Taranaki and even the game against the Bay have shown that New Zealanders still can scrum..

and how important that Taranaki, a province known for its powerful front rowers, asks the questions about that much-acclaimed Northern Hemisphere supremacy at scrum time.. and boy did those Lions struggle to give an answer to that Taranaki scrum.. they were outclassed from loosehead to tighthead.. okay it was their B team but what happens if Gethin Jenkins and/or Julian White, probably their two best props on the night get injured?

moreover, the selection of Derren Whitcombe, a hooker who excelled with his scrummaging abilities in the recent trial, over Keven Meleamu, a hooker widely known as New Zealand's 2nd best behind Anton Oliver, but more a mobile and agile hooker rather than a scrummager, just gives even more proof that the All Blacks still need the scrum.. having the likes of Carl Hayman and Tony Woodcock on both sides just strengthens the claim that scrummaging is still alive in this country..

but thank you Taranaki for putting those words back into those NH journalists' mouths..

on a non rugby note, Iran, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia will be in next year's World Cup, which i'll be watching keenly as much as this Lions tour.. Ukraine and either Argentina or Brazil are not too far away.. but go Holland!! (and say it quietly, England)