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Cuttita: Scotland scrum a big weapon
ESPN Staff
June 9, 2012
Scotland's Richie Gray on the charge, Wales v Scotland, Six Nations, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, February 12, 2012
Scotland have some fearsome athletes in their pack, including the likes of Richie Gray © PA Photos
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Massimo Cuttita says Scotland are only just discovering the damage they can do at the set-piece, warning that their scrum is becoming a huge 'weapon'.

Scrum coach Cuttita was brought in six years ago to try to cure the Scottish woes in the scrum area, which had consistently cost the team territory and points in big matches.

The 9-6 victory over Australia at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium showcased how well that project is coming along, with Scotland's front three putting in an impressive display.

That left Cuttita feeling very positive about his specialist area and tipping the Scots to make even better use of it in the future as they get used to the strength they have available.

"We are just beginning to realise that we have a weapon that we can use there," he said. "We have all got to become convinced that the scrum can become a weapon for Scotland. We were speaking about it in training and it is just a mental thing.

"We have got people coming through who can certainly do it, and don't forget we are without hardened players in the likes of Allan Jacobsen and Jim Hamilton, who are both good scrummagers.

"It was not just at the end of the game [against Australia] that we were on top. Earlier we had a chance five metres from their try line, their back row came up and we could have gone for it. Instead we let the ball out. We should have gone for a double shove there, we could have scored."

Cuttita has been particularly excited about the strength in depth he has seen in Scottish rugby recently and believes the numbers Robinson has available to him are to be envied.

"It has taken years but what I am satisfied about is the number of guys coming up," he said. "It all shows that if you do work hard, then you get the results. Look at Glasgow, who have had a really good scrummaging season.

"We have got depth now. We have three decent looseheads and the three decent tightheads and more coming up though the system. There are not many countries who can say that. These guys are working hard, they believe in what they are doing. They are all coming through. It is good to see that the scrum is finally doing what it should be doing and the credit goes to these boys who have been working so hard.

"We have the capacity to win games on the basis of our scrummaging. That is what I am working towards. It is something that we can do, but it is a question of believing in ourselves."

Australia have had their own scrummaging issues over recent years, leaving Cuttita to call for an improved showing when they line up against a powerful Fiji side on June 16 to prove their credentials.

"Next week, we have to prove to Fiji that we can be even better than we were against Australia," he said.

"It is not going to be easy, they have got some big units there. We have to be technically a lot better and we don't take that for granted. We have to prove ourselves on the day. Now that the boys have set a standard they have to carry it on."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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