Pocock returns for Wallabies

Pocock returns for Wallabies

30 Nov 2012

David Pocock will make his comeback from injury in Saturday’s match against Wales.

Pocock replaces Michael Hooper at openside flank. The Test in Cardiff will mark his first match since he injured his knee in the Rugby Championship.

While Pocock returns, Nathan Sharpe will retain the captaincy in this his 116th and final Test. Other changes see lock Kane Douglas back from a knee injury in place of the suspended Sitaleki Timani and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau in for Stephen Moore.

Wallabies – 15 Berrick Barnes, 14 Nick Cummins, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Dave Dennis, 20 Michael Hooper, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Mike Harris, 23 Digby Ioane.


8 Comments

  • 1.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Nov 2012, 05:45 am

    Sharpes last test….? Till next year?

    Hooper has been superb….he will be missed

  • 2.jeest: Reply to this comment
    30 Nov 2012, 06:05 am

    @grant10-1: Indeed he has been good -might find he is brought on fairly quickly though with Palu and Higgenbothan likely to be given an early rest.

    Could be a potent combo in tandem, dare I suggest perhaps even better than Smith and Waugh. Guess time will tell.

  • 3.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Nov 2012, 07:38 am

    @jeest-2: Not convinced 2 opensiders in a team works……

    1 a must…imo

  • 4.jeest: Reply to this comment
    30 Nov 2012, 08:05 am

    @grant10-3: Yes it is debateable. The “one gate” argument has some merit and there have been cases in the past where two were less effective than one and a good 6. And I guess you need to keep in mind that you are generally losing a big ball carrier if you play 2 7′s.

  • 5.grant10: Reply to this comment
    30 Nov 2012, 08:46 am

    @jeest-4: Exactly right…

  • 6.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    30 Nov 2012, 11:29 am

    Pocock (Bok Destroyer) is the man!! Hate hime of love he is a brilliant player!

  • 7.cane: Reply to this comment
    30 Nov 2012, 11:34 am

    All the real men are on the “hore set for a hefty ban” thread.

    Some cool chicks there too.

    ;)

  • 8.Delki: Reply to this comment
    1 Dec 2012, 00:13 am

    I have seen 2 opensiders work well together but generally only when their team has a superior and heavier forward pack anyway than the other team. In such circumstances 2 opensiders can hunt as a pack and feed off each other, resulting in a high pace exillerating game.

    But in games where the 2 packs are more or less equal physically, the generally smaller physicality of 2 opensiders becomes a disadvantage.

    But having one opensider is virtually mandatory, something Bok teams especially those selected by Afrikaner coaches have really struggled to understand with a few high profile disastrous results for the Boks.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.