Allan Alaalatoa pinpoints Wallabies’ scrum issues as star forward backed to shine against Springboks
Wallabies front-rowers Angus Bell and Allan Alaalatoa.
Wallabies captain Allan Alaalatoa is backing fellow front-row Angus Bell to deliver the goods when they take on the Springboks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test in Perth.
Bell has been struggling with an ongoing toe injury which kept him on the sidelines for the bulk of the Waratahs’ 2024 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
The 23-year-old sustained damage to the ligament in his big toe – an injury which has bothered him previously over the past two seasons as well – during the Waratahs’ clash with the Brumbies early in April.
Back to full fitness
Since then, Bell underwent surgery to remodel his foot but he has made a full recovery and Alaalatoa is delighted to have him back in action.
“(It’s) massive and he’s a big body that we all know what the talent he is and things he’s done in this gold jersey. It’s great to have him back,” said Alaalatoa.
“He’s gone through a tough time throughout his rehab but he’s training really hard to give himself this opportunity.
“All the boys are going to be excited and making sure he goes out there and most importantly just enjoys himself.”
Bell has a big responsibility on his shoulders as he faces a tough examination against the world champions, who delivered a dominant performance in the scrums when these sides met in the corresponding fixture in Brisbane last week.
The inclusion of Bell and rookie hooker Josh Nasser, who is a former prop, is expected to bolster the Wallabies‘ scrum and Alaalatoa is looking forward to the set-piece battle against the world champions.
“I think for us it’s a great challenge and it was a tough learning for us last weekend and we didn’t go out there and execute the plan that we wanted,” he said.
“As a front-row, we’ve spoken about being technically better…there were glimpses where we were good but you can’t have one moment and miss a lot throughout the game, especially against the world’s best.
‘Challenging ourselves at training’
“We’re making sure that we’re challenging ourselves at training and bringing the focus back on us to make sure we’re building to where we want to.
“For us as a front-row, it was more around our technique. We want to transfer the weight from behind and to do that you have to be in the best shape possible.
“It was a tough learning for us in the set piece but we’re looking forward to that.”
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