How would the Wallabies loose forwards stack up without David Pocock?
It’s now been over two and a half months since David Pocock has taken the field for the Brumbies. He’s managed to play just 138 minutes of rugby in 2019.
It was initially a head knock which ejected the flanker from the Brumbies’ match with the Rebels way back in March.
Since then, there’s been a number of set-backs – some related to the initial knock, some related to a thigh issue, and some related to Pocock’s ongoing neck problems. In short, it’s a miracle that Pocock’s body is even holding itself together.
Pocock travelled to South Africa and Argentina in April with the Brumbies in a tour that was initially slated to mark the Zimbabwe-born flanker’s return. Pocock was ruled out of both matches, however.
Coach Dan McKellar has now confirmed that Pocock is unlikely to play any further part in the Brumbies’ Super Rugby season – which could amount to another six weeks of matches.
It will be an amazing achievement if Pocock even makes the Wallabies World Cup squad at this rate, given the number of injuries the man seems to be dealing with.
If Pocock is unable to play, it will be an absolute travesty for the player that some consider to be the best openside flanker in the world.
Pocock’s importance to the Australian national side can’t be overstated. He’s been nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year three times, with two of those nominations coming during the previous two World Cup years. Pocock has also won the John Eales Medal twice – an award that recognises Australia’s player of the season. He most recently won the award in 2018, highlighting that Pocock’s skills and ability have not declined with age nor injury.
The Wallabies already have one of the top flankers in the world on their team sheet in the form of Michael Hooper. Whilst Hooper and Pocock both play with the 7 jersey on their backs for their Super Rugby teams, they perform considerably different roles on the field. Michael Cheika has resorted to using both men on the pitch at the same time – simply because they are two of Australia’s most influential players.
That’s not to suggest that Australia can’t win without David Pocock; they’ve managed plenty of victories over the years in Pocock’s absence. The Wallabies, however, are a different beast when Pocock lines up.
The loose forwards are possibly where Australia are actually strongest, heading into the upcoming World Cup.
Hooper is one of the most multi-faceted players in the world; equally as superb in the breakdowns as he is in the open field. Cheika will select loose forwards in his squad that complement the strengths and weaknesses of Hooper and, if he’s fit, Pocock.
Lack of height a major weakness
On last year’s northern tour, the Wallabies used three others loose forwards alongside the two opensiders: Jack Dempsey and Pete Samu travelled as utility loosies who could both cover blindside flanker and number 8 while Ned Hanigan could be used in either the second or third rows.
Waratah Dempsey started the final three matches of the tour in the 6 jersey, but his selection in the starting line-up shouldn’t be taken as a guarantee.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (formally known as Lukhan Tui) was Cheika’s preferred blindside flanker during 2018’s Rugby Championship. The 6’6” Queenslander normally plays at lock for the Reds but Cheika has wisely opted to add extra height to his backrow in recent times due to Hooper and Pocock’s lack of aerial game.
Salakaia-Loto’s stepfather passed away towards the end of the competition and the New Zealand-born second-rower decided that he needed to spend some extra time with his family. He withdrew from the Wallabies squad and made himself unavailable for the tour to Europe. Although there’s been no confirmation one way or the other, it’s expected that Salakaia-Loto will be recalled to the squad for 2019. The 22-year-old has been slowly returning to form for the Reds and has started to peak at the perfect time.
One other player that could join the squad in a fulltime role is Rebels number 8 Isi Naisarani. Naisarani travelled to Europe at the end of 2018 but was not eligible for selection at the time. He has been one of the form loose-forwards in Super Rugby for a number of seasons and although he’s yet to play international football, he’s now experienced enough at Super Rugby level to make the step up in a World Cup year.
The Wallabies selectors will likely opt for five or six loose-forwards in the squad that they take to the World Cup. Hooper is probably the first name on the team sheet and will start all the important matches in the 7 jersey. If Pocock is fit, he will also be a guaranteed selection – but it’s looking increasingly likely that won’t be the case.
There are a number of loose forwards doing the rounds in Super Rugby for the Australian sides who are performing well, including the likes of Lachlan McCaffrey at the Brumbies and Luke Jones at the Rebels, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that Cheika will likely opt for the players that have served him well in recent times. There are certainly a few chinks in the Wallabies armour that their opposition will look to exploit, but the loose forwards is not one of them – Cheika doesn’t need to be attempting anything revolutionary in 2019.
Given the above, it would be hard to go past a trio of Dempsey, Hooper and Naisarani with Salakai-Loto on the bench covering both lock and blindside flanker. Pocock’s potential absence would require an extra fetcher – at that’s where things get tricky.
Lack of openside fall-backs
Outside of Hooper and Pocock, there are no internationally capped openside flankers doing the rounds in Super Rugby for Australia. Jahrome Brown has done the job for the Brumbies in Pocock’s absence but he’s far too wet behind the ears to play for the Wallabies just yet. The Reds have young Liam Wright on their books but he too is still very young. Wright travelled to Europe with the Wallabies in 2017 but a World Cup is a big step up from being a touring squad member.
The most likely player to be brought into the team in Pocock’s absence would likely be Rebels flanker Angus Cottrell. Cottrell spent his formative years on the blindside but he’s been performing well for the Melbourne team in 2019 on the openside – and he’s got plenty of experience at Super Rugby level.
Wallabies legend George Smith only recently announced his retirement – what wouldn’t Michael Cheika give to have the Australian centurion available for the World Cup? While there’s slim chance of it happening, Smith would be an excellent replacement for Pocock.
Australia has always been blessed with loose forwards. The Wallabies certainly have a number of weaknesses that they will struggle to overcome in 2019, but as per usual, they’re well stocked in the 6, 7 and 8 jerseys. Should Pocock be unavailable for selection then the Wallabies will lose one of their most experienced and most talented players, but they will still be more than capable of fielding a formidable trio in his absence.
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments