Wallabies scrum coach Mike Cron jokingly refers to himself as ‘broken-down old forwards coach’. But in world rugby, the New Zealander is renowned as the foremost expert on scrummaging, a decorated scrum doctor who can diagnose and cure even the shakiest of set pieces.
Since joining the Wallabies set-up in April, after 35 years of coaching, including 200 Tests with the All Blacks between 2004 and 2019, Cron arguably faces his most difficult challenge yet: preparing the Wallabies pack for the front rows of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, all desperate to audition for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour in Australia.
What does Cron have to work with in November?
In the run-up to the spring tour, Cron has had the opportunity to work closely with the majority of his front-rowers, having watched Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Isaac Kailea and Billy Pollard compete at Test level. He is also familiar with versatile Western Force prop Tom Robertson, who has returned from his sabbatical at Oxford University.
However, he admitted being surprised at the skills gap in the scrum when he started his role with the Wallabies.
“I was surprised with some of the skills they probably needed, probably at a younger age, and we just had to go back a wee bit to make sure we nailed that and bring them through,” Cron said.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Samu Kerevi train during a Wallabies training session at Victoria Barracks on Monday.Credit: Getty Images
“But rugby players are rugby players. I’ve been lucky enough, I’ve done a wee bit of coaching in 15 countries … and every rugby player, I think, they love doing what they do – otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it, and they are very keen to get better. These guys are no different.”
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