Rugby World Cup
All Blacks scrum must improve for Rugby World Cup quarterfinals
AAP
October 7, 2015
Foster: All Blacks have done enough

The All Blacks are putting extra effort into scrum training after being taught a lesson by Georgia.

The defending Rugby World Cup champions are expecting similar treatment from Tonga, whom they play in Newcastle on Friday, believing the islanders will have picked up some tips from watching the powerful Georgian pack ply their trade against the All Blacks in Cardiff.

"Our trainings are some of the hardest trainings in my time in the All Blacks," prop Ben Franks said in context of 44 Tests since 2008. "In New Zealand you're in your own little bubble a little bit. You play South Africa, Australia, Super rugby, Rugby Championship, Argentina now as they've come in.

New Zealand yet to hit top gear
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"We don't really get exposed to the type of scrummaging and tactics like Georgia. To get the opportunity to play such teams in our pool matches, we get to learn lessons before encountering it in the quarterfinal. If we go further in the competition we'll be able to bank on some of those lessons."

There were times when the All Blacks pack wobbled against Georgia, and scrum-half Aaron Smith accepts the set-piece must improve in the finals with Australia having been exceptional against England.

"Australia's scrum was probably the biggest thing," Smith said. "Seeing what they did to England was massive. They looked really clinical and they're looking really good."

Charlie Faumuina, who started in the front-row against Georgia, said the All Blacks had to learn how to adjust their game under pressure.

"We've just got to adapt a bit quicker," he said. I think they tried a few things and we were slow to adapt. You train for it throughout the week, and if it's going the way you've been training then hopefully you've got the tools to stop it. But there's a few tricks up every prop's sleeve."

© AAP

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