The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Wallabies can savour win after sneaking past England

17th November, 2012
Advertisement
Just make sure David Pocock is on the field. That's pretty straightforward, no? (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Expert
17th November, 2012
303
3366 Reads

Winger Nick Cummins broke a 212-minute try-scoring drought for the Wallabies to sneak home 20-14 over England at Twickenham last night.

Who cares it was an ugly win with still too much kicking, but a W will always beat an L, or a D.

Importantly, the win cements the men-in-gold in the world’a top four nations with the cut-off point for the 2015 World Cup seedings just two weeks away.

Cummins and openside flanker Michael Hooper were the pick of the Wallabies, making a mockery of the fact Cummins’ emergence as an international was long overdue.

But Hooper’s future is the more intriguing.

What happens if David Pocock is available for the last two games of this tour against Italy and Wales?

Pocock has been out for three months after surgery for a knee injury sustained against the All Blacks last August.

Coach Robbie Deans has an embarrassment of riches with two of the best openside flankers in world rugby.

Advertisement

And openside play compared to blindside is like chalk and cheese.

With Hooper playing so well so consistently, Deans might lean towards easing Pocock back into international rugby wearing the 6 jumper, and see how it pans out.

Pocock is the ultimate team man, and there would be no complaints from him.

And that would give both Deans and the Wallabies enormous firepower that would be too much for Italy and Wales to handle.

Waiting for the phone call is Scott Higginbotham whose suspension for roughing up All Black skipper Richie McCaw is now over.

A back row of Pocock (6), Hooper (7), and Higginbotham (8) would end a patchy year on a high note.

And with the injured trio of James Horwill, Will Genia, and James O’Connor ready and raring to go in 2013, the future doesn’t look so bleak for Robbie Deans.

Advertisement

He’s had a excruciating run with 41 injuries hacking into Wallaby selections this year, and there would be justice if the tide turns.

The British and Irish Lions await next season and if the Wallabies can avoid such a disastrous injury toll they will be looking good for the three-Test series.

In the meantime soak up last nights deserved success.

close