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Pocock set for long-awaited return

Wallaby flanker David Pocock will make his long-awaited return to action this weekend after being named in the Brumbies team to take on the Waratahs on Saturday.

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Pocock will notch his 100th Super Rugby match, after playing 69 with the Western Force before joining the Brumbies in 2013.

Pocock’s addition is the only change to Dan McKellar’s starting side that beat the Sharks in week five.

McKellar has been forced to make several changes on the bench due to injury and unavailability, with prop Mees Erasmus in line for a Super Rugby debut.

Erasmus is joined by the returning Robbie Abel and fellow prop Faalelei Sione whilst Richie Arnold and Tom Cusack provide cover in the lock department and back-row respectively.

There also appears to be plenty in reserve amongst the backs with Matt Lucas, Kyle Godwin and Tom Banks ready to step off the bench and make their mark in a match that is traditionally one of the highlights of the season.

BRUMBIES

1. Scott Sio, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Blake Enever, 6. Lachlan McCaffrey, 7. David Pocock, 8. Isa Naisarani, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 11. Lausii Taliauli, 12. Christian Leali’ifano, 13. Chris Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Andy Muirhead.
Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Faalelei Sione, 18. Mees Erasmus, 19. Richie Arnold, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Matt Lucas, 22. Kyle Godwin, 23. Tom Banks.

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R
RedWarriors 32 minutes ago
'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

Firstly, massive congrats to Northampton on a brilliant victory. A coaching and execution masterclass. This was a NH victory rather than a Leinster loss. Its important to state that.


The Leinster defense were not seriously tested this year in a big match.

NH showed that there were holes to be exploited if the rush defence could be minimized. It looked like NH got through every hole they planned to…and more.

They still needed Leinster to compound errors. That happenned with Northamptons quick fire double try in the first half which Leinster never recovered from. Leinster were passive uncertain after that and Northampton kicked back from the restart and scored directly from a handling error. That was a key try.


If Barrett was eligible to play he should have started. There is value to bringing a highly intelligent player on after halftime, but no value if the match has been almost lost in the first half and it has turned into a slug fest where individuals can’t affect it as much.


Leinster had to level with the three pointer. They would have won extra time if it came to that. And thats with full respect to Northampton but they would not have prevailed in the last twenty. The entire second half was damage limitation to win.


I remember Leinster were 12 points ahead of Connaught in the URC. They refused a 3 pointer, Connaught turned them over went down and scored. Then they had another penalty only 5 points ahead. Leinster were considering a kick to corner and Barrett grabbed the ball and pointed to the sticks.


Leinster and Ireland do not have the onfield nous. And that was another reason why a general like Barrett was needed for this battle.


The decision not to play him feels like it ha sundermined his brilliant stint with Leinster. The man deserved a chance to help Leinster win. He has gone above the call to help Leinster and teach players. He is one of the outstanding centres in the world and he doesnt play? Henshaw has been passed it for two years, and I’m Irish.


Leinster don’t have that much quality matches. So they need to do their own targetted stress testing in training. They didn’t do that. Otherwise how could Northampton uncover such a treasure trove by analysing Leinsters weaknesses?


I am gutted for Leinster. Any talk of choking is nonsense. They kept coming back in that match and almost won at the death. Coaching and on field decision making. I don’t blame Nienaber.

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