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Brumbies struck down by injury in season opener

David Pocock. Photo by Zak Kaczmarek/Getty Images

Wallabies and Brumbies star David Pocock played just five minutes of Friday night’s Super Rugby opener before copping an elbow from Rebels skipper Dane Haylett-Petty that forced him from the field for the rest of the match.

Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar says he can’t guarantee Pocock will be ready to take on the Chiefs next Saturday night after he failed his head injury assessment.

It’s a cruel blow for Pocock who experienced a tumultuous offseason battling neck and calf injuries.

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“He’s obviously had a concussion on the [Wallabies’] Spring tour as well so we’ll just do what’s in the best interest of Dave,” McKellar told AAP.

Without Pocock the Brumbies suffered a 34-27 opening round defeat at the hands of the visiting Rebels.

Wallabies teammate Haylett-Petty had an interesting take on Pocock’s injury.

“It was probably the highlight of my night taking Poey out,” Haylett-Petty said.

“I’m glad he’s all right, but it’s nice not having to play against him. Obviously he’s so big for them, he leads them around.”

Pocock was not the only Brumby injured in the match. Former Chiefs winger Toni Pulu suffered a suspected fractured cheekbone in his first appearance for the club, and McKellar fears the injury could see the 30-year-old sidelined for an extended period.

McKellar fears the Wallabies prospect could be sidelined for an extended period.

“He’s been such a great addition to the club, he’s really popular amongst the group and brings a lot of experience and knowledge to our outside backs,” McKellar said.

Rugby World Cup City Guides – Oita:

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Nickers 15 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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