Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau says Australia isn’t taking any notice of commentary around England’s scrum
Former Wallaby Phil Kearns suggested earlier in the week that England was scrummaging illegally, saying Dan Cole was angling in criticism not dissimilar to that dished out by Bob Dwyer on Joe Marler in the World Cup.
Polota-Nau said the Wallabies weren’t worried about any of that external noise.
“We're too busy getting our heads in there,” he said.
“At the end of the day the referees control that. We can only make sure we don't include him into the equation.
“If anything it's more about getting the ascendancy.
“At the end of the day there were times that we got some and times England got some too.
“It's more so how we can be more consistent in that area.”
Eddie Jones has been singling out the Wallabies lineout during the week but Polota-Nau said there was no panicking going on in that area.
“We stuck to our drill, obviously there were times it didn't work but that's rugby,” he said.
“It's always there to be a contest. I thought both teams were opposing well for each other's ball.
“At the end of the day we just had to make sure that come preparation this week, it's all about doing our job to the best of our ability.”
The replacement hooker said there was a simple focus going into the weekend.
“We were just inaccurate at times and they capitalised on it,” he said.
“In any Test match, any mistake you make will definitely get pounced upon.
“It's more so for us to try and make sure we stick to our policies and also believe in them.”
The Wallabies are still sweating on the fitness of starting lock Rob Simmons, who sat out the morning training session with a back injury, though they were hopeful of giving him a run on Tuesday afternoon.
