 Mitchell had been tipped to coach Wasps before joining the Force |
Ex-New Zealand coach John Mitchell has offered to help solve Australia's scrum problems ahead of the 2007 World Cup. Wallabies coach Eddie Jones urged the Australian Rugby Union to appoint a specialist scrum coach after his side were humiliated by England on Saturday.
Mitchell, coach of Perth-based Super 14 side Western Force, told the Daily Telegraph: "I'm prepared to assist the Wallabies in whatever way I can.
"Yes, I'd help. I already have good relationship with Eddie Jones."
Mitchell is regarded as one of the shrewdest forward coaches in the game and was hired by former England coach Clive Woodward to help develop the English pack that went on to win the last World Cup.
The scrum has long been regarded as the weak link in Australian rugby, where greater emphasis is placed on developing backline play.
However, England's World Cup win in 2003 and the global trend towards massive packs rather than smaller, mobile forwards has forced the Australians to re-think their tactics.
"England take a lot of pride in that (scrummaging) area, they enjoy it, it's not secondary to them," Mitchell added.
"There has to be a mentality in the Australian side now that you don't go out to hold or create deceptions.
"It's now clearly a contest. The scrum has evolved in 2005 and will continue to evolve next year. You've got to have the artillery."
MMIX
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