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Mixed news for Wallabies fans on Pocock, O'Connor and White

Pocock

Time is running out for David Pocock and James O’Connor prior to the Wallabies’ first Test of a World Cup year, but halfback Nic White is back with the group.

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Champion backrower Pocock has played just 138 minutes in three matches for the Brumbies this season due to a calf muscle issue and hasn’t taken the field since early March.

The 31-year-old, who was one of the stars of the 2015 World Cup, announced his retirement from Super Rugby in late May

He is attending coach Michael Cheika’s national camp in Brisbane this week but did not train on Monday.

A squad for the opening Rugby Championship game against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 21 (AEST) will be announced on Wednesday or Thursday

Utility back O’Connor, who turns 29 on Friday, can’t train with the squad until inking a deal with Rugby Australia, with Queensland expected to be his Super Rugby destination.

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A veteran of 44 Tests, O’Connor became the second-youngest Wallaby when he made his Test debut as an 18-year-old against Italy in 2008 but hasn’t played for Australia since September 2013.

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Off-field disciplinary issues put him on the outer with the Wallabies management and he has plied his trade overseas with London Irish, Toulon and Sale.

The former Force and Rebels star briefly returned to Australia in 2015 for a stint with the Reds, but didn’t make the Wallabies’ squad for that year’s World Cup.

Former Brumby White, who played 22 Tests between 2013 and 2015, making eight starts, is in camp this week after agreeing a deal with RA.

Since 2015, the 29-year-old White has played for Montpellier in France and English club Exeter Chiefs, to who he is contracted for one more season, before returning to play Super Rugby at a franchise to be determined.

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“It’s great to see Nic back,” said 1999 World Cup winning captain and halfback George Gregan, who on Monday worked with the playmakers in the camp.

“Obviously playing overseas in France and the UK was very good for him in terms of rounding off his entire rugby game.
“I did some work with him when he was starting at the Brumbies many years ago. He’s come back a really rounded player.”

White faces plenty of competition for a halfback spot from regular starter Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell and Jake Gordon.

“There’s been good examples of depth in a number of positions in this country and I think No.9 is at the moment is definitely that case,” Gregan said.

The Brumbies are in transit following last weekend’s Super Rugby semi-final loss in Argentina and won’t return to Australia until Tuesday.

The need for rest after playing and traveling means none are expected to actively participate in the camp prior to the Wallabies departure for South Africa next Sunday.

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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