Italy 6-20 New Zealand, Milan, November 14, 2009
Henry calls for 'clarity' at the scrum
Scrum.com
November 14, 2009
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New Zealand coach Graham Henry, Italy v New Zealand, San Siro, Milan, November 14, 2009
Graham Henry has called for 'clarity' at the scrum © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Martin Castrogiovanni | Nick Mallett
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Teams: Italy | New Zealand

All Blacks coach Graham Henry called for "total clarity" at the scrum after the closing stages of his side's win over Italy turned in to a farce.

Italy pounded away at the All Black scrum for eight minutes at the close after the visitors were regularly penalised for scrum offences throughout - only luckily avoiding a penalty try being awarded against them. Nevertheless, Henry believes that more must be done to preserve the game as a spectacle.

"I think there needs to be total clarity over what is required in the scrum. There's a grey area," Henry told Reuters. "It's getting worse rather than better. It is spoiling the game as a spectacle.

"The last five minutes were a farce. For the good of the game we need clarity. At the moment I don't think there is. It's causing frustration for the guys who play the game and the people watching."

Italy coach Nick Mallett predicatably disagreed after Martin Castrogiovanni ripped in to All Black loose-head Wyatt Crockett.

"Maybe the southern hemisphere countries have to look at the scrum," he said. "In the northern hemisphere there is more respect and attention for the set scrum."

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