Former Wallabies and Waratahs prop Ben Robinson was special guest at Maitland Blacks training last night casting his expert eye over the first and second grade scrums.
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"Ben is a friend of one our coaches James Callum and it is an incredible opportunity for us to have him with us and share his knowledge," Blacks coach Matt Thomas said.
Robinson, played 72 Test match for Australia and made 151 Super Rugby appearances.
"Our aim at the start of the season was to have the best scrum in the competition and we are getting closer all the time to achieving that. Having Ben here is just fantastic for the boys moving forward," Thomas said.
"Our scrum has been strong and it's a chance to fine tune things."
The Blacks focus is very much about improving their game going into Saturday's top three match against Merewether Carlton at Townson Oval
"Last week's performance was mediocre, so we're just concentrating on ourselves this week," Thomas said of the Blacks 48-24 win against University.
"We played some great phases of rugby that were fantastic, but then we had some that we need to have a look at ourselves about.
"As I said to the boys in the change rooms after the game, I am here to change things.
"The positive side of things is that the boys can really turn it on when they want to, it's just the consistency of turning it on and leaving it on.
"We need to improve. It is a big game, we've got a few injuries. Michael Howell and maybe John Birrell will be out. Howelly is still not quite right with his knee.
"Lachy Bradford looks like he has a groin injury so we might rest him for future weeks.
"But I can bring Josh McCormack back into fullback and I'm going to bring Max Stafford back into No.9.
"I want to see how Max goes with the team.
"Ben (Taylor) has been brilliant for us this year, but I just want to try Max to see how he fits in.
"Ben has been outstanding, his rugby has gone to a new level and I think it has even opened up his eyes."
Thomas said the major concern from last week was that the team did not maintain their intensity across the game.
"The really disappointing thing was a few soft tries we allowed in when we made changes to personnel," he said.
"The blokes that come on need to bring a new aspect to the game but we need to keep our integrity in defence.
"It's still a work in progress, but we nearly scored 60 points when we played mediocre.
"It's a massive game, Merewether are coming off a massive win against Nelson Bay at home, their confidence is up, we're battling to be consistent and we do go in as underdog.
Thomas said his backline in particular needed time on the park together as they tried to find their best combinations and form.
"I just need the players to spend time on the park, because I don't think they realise yet just how good they can be as a team," he said. "We've had so many changes in our backline and forward pack due to injury and unavailability of players that I haven't seen the full potential of this side unleashed."
