The Fijian scrum has long been one of the most derided in world rugby. Over three tests vs Italy, Romania and Italy again between 2013 & 2014, it conceded four penalty tries. But there are signs it may be improving.
The quality of scrummaging has been a weakness for virtually every participant in the PNC, particularly when facing sides from the 6 Nations. Notably Japan have dramatically improved in that area of the game recently, but also over the past few months Fiji at the very least appear to have made some progress.
To put in context how badly the scrum was struggling. This time last year, Fiji had just played series of June tests against Italy, Tonga and Samoa, and the scrum had conceded 19 penalties and 7 free kicks in just those 3 matches.
So on average referees were awarding a penalty or free kick against Fiji on average a massive 9 times per match. On opponents put in, Fiji were penalised for either a free kick or penalty in 25 out of 40 scrums. They beat Italy and Tonga in spite of that, but in the defeat to Samoa they conceded 6 points off the scrum in a 5 point game.
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| Samoa got 6 points directly off the Fijian scrum in June 2014 in a match decided by 5 points |
It was possibly on a par with the USA as one the worst of any top 20 nation, and could not get much worse. But encouragingly, whilst maybe not as dramatically as how the Japanese scrum has been transformed, the Fijians do appear to be making progress in their most recent matches.
In the recent November series of tests against France, Wales and USA, which incidentally the Fijian forwards prepared for by training with the Georgian team, the scrum actually won more penalties (6), than it conceded (5). So they conceded less penalties in those three matches combined, than they were conceding on average in one match in June.
That was also despite having a prop red carded around 50 minutes against Wales. So even down to 7 men, Fiji only conceded 1 penalty the whole match, and actually managed to win scrum against the head when Rhodri Jones came on towards the end.
One of the Fijian's try against the Maori All Blacks also stemmed from a scrum against the head, curiously again with 7 men this time with a flanker in the sin bin.
This weekend against Tonga. Whilst no direct turnovers were won, Fiji consistently got in lower, stronger positions and put pressure on the Tongan put in, preventing a clean platform of possession from the back for the number 8 or scrum half.
In the latter scrum on that video, the pressure that kept Tonga pinned one metre out from their line led to a turnover a phase later, followed by a try for Waisea Nayacalevu.
Being able to put pressure on Tonga obviously doesn't mean that Fiji have become a major scrummaging force all of a sudden (Tonga themselves have had scrum issues against both Georgia and Scotland last November), or that their scrum won't still be targeted.
But compare that to last June, Fiji conceded 5 penalties from scrums against Tonga. In those 3 matches last June the scrum also was the direct reason for conceding over 20 points. In the most recent 5 matches, it has only conceded 3 points directly (through an offence for a flanker picking the ball up against the Maori All Blacks).
Over the period since New Zealander Alan Muir (nicknamed Grumpy) took over as scrum coach in 2014 from Cameron Blades, who had done the job on 2012 and 2013 tours.
And also over the period since first choice tighthead prop Manasa Saulo, following that June series of matches last year, went from being an amateur who briefly worked cutting sugar canes, to become a full time professional winning a contract in Romania.
The scrum has undeniably made progress, and whilst there is still more work to be done of course, it at least no longer appears to be the worst in the World Cup on the level of the North Americans.
There will be an overwhelming expectation amongst pundits, commentators and fans for the Fijian scrum to be utterly destroyed against the likes of England, Wales and Australia at the World Cup. But on the basis of the last few matches, one of which was against Wales of course, they may (literally) not be quite the pushovers many are expecting them to be.
In the recent November series of tests against France, Wales and USA, which incidentally the Fijian forwards prepared for by training with the Georgian team, the scrum actually won more penalties (6), than it conceded (5). So they conceded less penalties in those three matches combined, than they were conceding on average in one match in June.
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| Against France, Fiji solidly won 100% of their own put in. |
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| That stable base was maintained the following week against Wales. |
When Wales replaced their best tighthead last November, a 7 man Fiji scrum actually was able to put some pressure on them.
One of the Fijian's try against the Maori All Blacks also stemmed from a scrum against the head, curiously again with 7 men this time with a flanker in the sin bin.
This weekend against Tonga. Whilst no direct turnovers were won, Fiji consistently got in lower, stronger positions and put pressure on the Tongan put in, preventing a clean platform of possession from the back for the number 8 or scrum half.
Being able to put pressure on Tonga obviously doesn't mean that Fiji have become a major scrummaging force all of a sudden (Tonga themselves have had scrum issues against both Georgia and Scotland last November), or that their scrum won't still be targeted.
But compare that to last June, Fiji conceded 5 penalties from scrums against Tonga. In those 3 matches last June the scrum also was the direct reason for conceding over 20 points. In the most recent 5 matches, it has only conceded 3 points directly (through an offence for a flanker picking the ball up against the Maori All Blacks).
Over the period since New Zealander Alan Muir (nicknamed Grumpy) took over as scrum coach in 2014 from Cameron Blades, who had done the job on 2012 and 2013 tours.
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| Manasa Saulo went from cutting sugar canes to becoming a full time pro rugby player last summer. |
And also over the period since first choice tighthead prop Manasa Saulo, following that June series of matches last year, went from being an amateur who briefly worked cutting sugar canes, to become a full time professional winning a contract in Romania.
The scrum has undeniably made progress, and whilst there is still more work to be done of course, it at least no longer appears to be the worst in the World Cup on the level of the North Americans.
There will be an overwhelming expectation amongst pundits, commentators and fans for the Fijian scrum to be utterly destroyed against the likes of England, Wales and Australia at the World Cup. But on the basis of the last few matches, one of which was against Wales of course, they may (literally) not be quite the pushovers many are expecting them to be.
Great stuff again T2. Didn't realise Grumps had taken over the reigns of Fiji's scrum. He's cut from the same cloth as Sir Graham Henry and from your evidence, seems to have instilled the same discipline and work ethic to foster such improvement. Will be interesting to see how the scrum measures up come their RWC pool matches. Ding dong.
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