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David Pocock 'in fantastic shape' as World Cup return looms

David Pocock. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper predicts David Pocock’s long injury-enforced absence won’t affect the form of the champion flanker, who he predicts will be at his dominant best at the World Cup.

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Moments after the 31-man Australian squad was announced on Friday, coach Michael Cheika was batting away questions on his loose forward make-up for the big games in Japan.

Hooper was more forthcoming, issuing a warning to Australia’s opponents that Pocock was poised to return with a bang from the calf injury that has ruled the 31-year-old out of all rugby since March.

“He’s imminent to get on the field and play some minutes now. He’s going to do us no surprises when he comes back,” Hooper said.

“He’s physically in fantastic shape. Imagine when he hits the ground running, he’s going to be dominant again.”

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International teammates for eight years, there is a strong chance the “Pooper” twin openside flanker combination of Hooper and Pocock will be reprised.

The pair were highly effective in Australia’s charge to the 2015 World Cup final at Twickenham, with Pocock’s adaption to No.8 that year seen as a tactical triumph for Cheika.

However, the coach was considering a host of options although his combinations are limited due to the inclusion of just five loose forwards for Japan.

Isi Naisarani had been among Australia’s most consistent players across all four Tests this year at No.8 while hulking blindside flanker Lukhan Salakaia-Loto had impressed in patches.

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The fifth option is versatile Waratahs loose forward Jack Dempsey, a first-choice performer during last November’s tour of Europe.

“He’s got that little bit of X-factor, Jack,” Cheika said.

“He can cover multiple positions in a back row, even seven at a pinch if we had to. He’s done that before.

“He’s an aggressive style player and I think that’s going to be essential.”

AAP

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S
SK 6 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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J
JW 12 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

147 Go to comments
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