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Absent Pocock could be just one of a number of injured Wallabies to return for the latter stages of the Rugby Championship

Australia flanker David Pocock

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has backed injured flanker David Pocock to play a part in the Rugby Championship and prove his readiness for the World Cup.

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A critical figure if Australia are to mount a challenge for the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan, Pocock hasn’t played for four months since straining a calf muscle on Brumbies duty, the injury ultimately leading to his retirement from Super Rugby.

However, the 31-year-old has consistently set his sights on what would be a probable Test swansong at the World Cup and Cheika suggested a long-awaited return is close at hand.

While Pocock’s name wasn’t among the 34 in the Rugby Championship squad announced on Thursday, he looks likely to play a part.

“It’s been a bit of a battle, but it looks like he’s turned a bit of a corner there so I’m quite positive about having him back at some stage during the Rugby Championship,” Cheika said.

“But as opposed to putting a day on it, we’ll just wait until the next mil estone and go from there.”

After facing the Springboks in Johannesburg on July 21, Australia host Argentina in Brisbane before rounding out a reduced Rugby Championship against the All Blacks in Perth on August 10.

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Others to miss initial selection with injury are Waratahs hooker Tatafu Poloata-Nau, Melbourne lock Adam Coleman, Brumbies No.8 Pete Samu and Reds outside centre Jordan Petaia.

Cheika said Coleman (shoulder) is a decent chance to be added to the squad who prepare for the Pumas Test.

Getting closer is 89-Test hooker Polota-Nau, who is five weeks into an estimated eight-week recovery window from ankle surgery and “will be in the picture after that”, according to Cheika.

No return date has been given for Samu (hamstring), who impressed over the final stages of the Brumbies’ season, while exciting young attacker Petaia (foot) is due to return to Brisbane club rugby and then “come into calculations”.

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– AAP

David Pocock may yet feature in the 2019 Rugby Championship – but you won’t see him again in Super Rugby:

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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