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David Pocock could be back very soon

By Online Editors
David Pocock is nearing a return for the Wallabies. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

David Pocock will push his case for a return in Perth’s Bledisloe Cup opener as Michael Cheika flirts with the idea of further changes to face New Zealand in a fortnight.

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The world-class flanker has been sidelined by a calf injury since March but ran strong on Friday and is a chance of returning for the August 10 clash with the All Blacks.

His inclusion would add significant lustre to a side that ground down Argentina in a hard-earned 16-10 defeat in Brisbane on Saturday – just the Wallabies’ fifth victory from their last 17 Tests.

Cheika said Pocock would likely be given a chance to prove himself for what will be the side’s third-last clash before their World Cup opener in September.

“I wanted to stay away from putting a date on it, there’s been too many dates put on it already,” the coach said of the 31-year-old’s strung-out return.

“On Friday he ran at full game speed and he’s getting everything sorted out so we’ll see how he recovers.

“He needs to do a whole week with the team and once he’s done that he’ll be right.”

Cheika made five changes to both the starting side and the bench and was pleased with what he saw from No.10 Christian Lealiifano in his first game since a three-year Test absence punctuated by a battle with cancer.

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Saturday was treated as a chance to “have a look” at his cattle and Cheika hinted it would remain that way against the All Blacks with Allan Ala’alatoa, Adam Coleman, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Pocock among squad members yet to see any Rugby Championship action.

“There might still be a place for a player or two that hasn’t played as yet,” Cheika said when asked if his intention was to field what he thought was his best side in Perth.

“(We’ll take) as big a step as we want to take (against New Zealand). It’s up to us.”

Australia’s forwards were impressive against a traditionally powerful Argentinian set piece, while Japan-bound Queensland favourite Will Genia was best on ground in his last Brisbane Test

“We’ve all been putting in big shifts and you just need a little bit of a pat on the back in that way to show that what you can do,” captain Michael Hooper said.

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“We’ve got a little bit of a blueprint now and we need to add to that and certainly get better.”

– AAP

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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