Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

In other news:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
TI 3 hours ago
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Autumn Nations Series

Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

48 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING South Africa player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series South Africa player ratings | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
Search