Robbie Deans has challenged rugby's international referees to see through the "trickery" he says opposing scrums are using on the Wallabies.

Australia's scrum was penalised six times in Saturday's 32-14 win over Italy before French referee Christophe Berdos eventually recognised the Azzurri pack weren't angels and a decision went the Wallabies' way.

Deans praised Berdos for eventually seeing the contest for what it was rather than going on a preconception that the Australian scrum is weak, a long-time complaint of the coach.

"The really exciting thing was it's the first instance we have had a referee base a decision on reality as opposed to pre-conceived ideas," Deans said.

"(Italian prop Martin) Castrogiovanni was having a giggle. He was having a laugh.

"He probably chose the wrong bloke to do it with, because scrummaging is big in France and Christophe is smart enough to take a look."

Deans is hoping the Florence Test could be a turning point in how referees view the Australian scrum, much maligned since at least the infamous meltdown at Twickenham five years ago.

There's no hiding the fact the pack has struggled, particularly in Perth against England this year and in Cardiff against Wales earlier this month.

In their defence, though, injuries meant the Perth Test featured a rookie front row and the Wallabies were down to what is now their fourth choice hooker at Millennium Stadium.

Deans believes opposing packs are using Australia's reputation to hoodwink referees.

"We came off a fixture against the All Blacks (in Hong Kong), they don't scrummage," Deans said, taking a rare swipe at his homeland.

"They just manipulate, they play the referee constantly. It's all about trickery.

"Then you get across the UK and they scrummage more so. There are elements of trickery but they do want to go forward with that trickery."

French rugby is one of the bastions of the scrum and Deans was not backward in letting this Saturday's (Sunday morning AEDT) referee, New Zealander Bryce Lawrence, know his pack were up for a genuine contest at scrum time if he will allow one.

"You watch the scrummaging in the Heineken Cup and the Top 14, it's fantastic but the referees contribute to that because they allow them to scrummage," Deans said.

"In the southern hemisphere we contributed to our own demise to a large extent because the referees are afraid of the scrummage.

"I can tell you we are looking forward to the scrummage because we are going to have what we need."

The Stade de France match will be Australia's last against a European side before next year's World Cup, where their draw means they will meet sides from the northern hemisphere in crucial games.

It means a psychological edge will be on offer this weekend.

"It's a long time before we play again, so from the individuals' perspective, what they do ... will be really important because that will be their last impression," Deans said.

"You hear players talking about going into the summer often. It's not a great sensation going into the summer when your last experience in the game is poor."

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