Wallabies player Will Genia is tackled during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between the Australia and Italy at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
The Wallabies cannot win the Rugby World Cup without openside flanker David Pocock, and half-back Will Genia. Nor can the All Blacks win without openside flanker Richie McCaw, and fly-half-goal-kicker Dan Carter.
Touch wood, Genia is fighting fit, but the same can’t be said for the other three standouts – Pocock and Carter have lower back problems, McCaw a calf niggle.
The critical decision comes tonight for Pocock, will he run on against Ireland in the most vital of the Wallabies four pool games?
No Wallaby in the current squad, nor those left behind, could possibly turn in better than a 50-60% performance of a Pocock.
Scott Higginbotham and Ben McCalman are the squad alternatives – Beau Robinson, and Matt Hodgson, missed selection.
Blindside flanker Rocky Elsom would be a far better proposition overall switching sides, even though it’s a dangerous ploy.
Ireland skipper Brian O’Driscoll described Elsom as the best he’s played with and against after Elsom’s successful stint with Leinster in 2008 and 2009.
Elsom hasn’t reached that lofty level this season, but tonight would be an ideal time for the Leinster form to kick in.
Ireland’s backrow of debutant Sean O’Brien, Stephen Ferris, and Jamie Heaslip is right up there with the world’s best, and it needs Pocock to keep them under control.
Even though Ireland’s been out of sorts for the past year, and more importantly have lost all four Cup lead-up games to Scotland 10-6, France 19-12 and 26-22, and England 20-9, the men-in-green have a habit of finding an extra leg against the men-in-gold.
And they’ll find it a whole lot easier if David Pocock is a no-show tonight.
Replacing Genia, the world’s best half, is impossible. Luke Burgess, and Nick Phipps, would just be making up the numbers. A 50-60% return from them compared to Genia would be a welcome bonus.
Much the same percentage trying to replace Richie McCaw, the only three-time winner of the coveted IRB’s International Player-of-the-Year award. No other player has won it twice.
In the decade of this award, McCaw has been nominated seven times. Next best are Dan Carter and Brian O’Driscoll with three each.
But McCaw is not only the proven best openside-flanker in the world, with Pocock millimetres behind him, he’s an inspirational skipper.
Just as Carter is the world’s best No 10, and international rugby’s leading pointscorer. Shadow fly-half Colin Slade proved last night in the 13-try 83-7 romp over Japan he’s nowhere near capable of treading in Carter’s footsteps – half Piri Weepu would be a better bet.
So for the sake of the tournament, and their countries, it’s imperative David Pocock, Will Genia, Richie McCaw, and Dan Carter are fit enough to go the distance.
And the distance will be the RWC final on October 23, with all four on duty and strutting their stuff.
Rugby at its best.
Cattledog
Guest
Think you probably hit the nail on the head, Mario ;)
Mario
Guest
4 influential players, BOD, Sexton, O'Gara....**** it! The entire Irish team! IRELAND IRELAND IRELAND!
Colin N
Guest
What did I say about the Ferris/O'Brien/ Heaslip combination? ;) They were superb this evening. Congratulations and enjoy a few early morning beers.
Derm
Roar Guru
As I said KPM, emotional leadership counts for a lot. O'Connell, O'Driscoll, O'Brien and Healy. Standout.
Colin N
Guest
"Hogwash. The Wallabies don’t dislike playing the Irish and will smash them tonight with or without Pocock. Unfortunately Ireland currently aren’t in the same class. This whole “Ireland is Australia’s bogey team” is a media beat-up to add interest." Ha Ha Ha.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Muzza - If you don't commit to the breakdown and your fly half plays like a clown and Lawrence is trying to take over from kaplan the end result is obvious. The end result is what I was afraid of. Who stood up? Beale, Vickerman, TFN and Genia. Cooper was useless, O'Connor was not seen, Elsom was quiet, Horwill was quiet, Kepu should have been pulled early I watched him for 15 mins and he did not commit to one breakdown (won a turnover later). Deans was at his "I can't decide what to do with the bench" worst. This was a disgrace and the forwards are holding the biggest failure. What were you saying about Ireland being smashed? We go to sleep on games we think we can win. All talk, no balls for the tough stuff unless we feel we are up against the wall. Bloody pathetic.
Tom Callaghan
Guest
GOOD MORNING AUSTRALIA ! I see that Australia -or should I say Australia, Fiji and New Zealand-(You blokes love your foreign imports don't you)couldn't beat Ireland! Your scrum creaked and Cooper looked clueless. What next for the Wallabies? Ireland's scrum is weaker than England. Looking forward to your comments on this.
jeznez
Guest
Runner up in our pool likely faces a quarter final against South Africa, if succesful there then it is a likely semi final against New Zealand and if we made it through there a probable final against England. The other side of the draw would probably see Ireland v Wales in one Quarter the winner to play the winner of England and France from the other Quarter. Definitely prefer to finish top of the pool.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
If there is anything i have learnt it is that the form guide and expectation mean nothing in World cup. If the Irish dig into that passion that the Irish can muster, then they will give the Wallabies a run for their money. No Ioane no Pocock. The last time the Wallabies were understrength, they got a fright from Samoa. Dont write of the Irish.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
You have a fascination with flashy play and x factor. The most important guy's in the side are the ones you dont see, doing all the hard work that allows these other blokes to get all the limelight. Kaino Thomson Smith. These are the hardworking players that you would judge as failing to step up. Yet, Thomo was the busiest player on the paddock. Kaino made the most ball carries. Conrad Smith made the most tackles, yet somehow in your eyes he done nothing because he didn't score a flashy 50 meter try. There is more to rugby then looking good, most of the hard work goes unnoticed by the uneducated.
Muzza
Guest
How can a Wallaby fan actually be serious in commenting like this. "second in our pool" you have to be kidding. Ireland will get smashed and rightly so. Yes, yes, some 'plucky' effort for the first 60 or so...
Muzza
Guest
Have to agree with you there. Ireland are bollocks.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Nice point Z
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
If he curtails his back chat and continues with the hard nose approach Johnno I think he is very important though you do wonder if Deans is winding Sharpe up for a big one, maybe the Quarters?
Johnno
Guest
How important is dan vickerman to winning the RWC everyone.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Jiggles I used to think Thorn was the heart of the AB scrum but Kaino's game is at its best whereas Thorn has started to slip? and the heart mantle now sits with Kaino.
zhenry
Guest
Agree KPM. The mentality of NZ rugby journalism is grim; generalised stereotyped and no grip of detail. They don’t want to look beyond Toeava’s early AB performances
jeznez
Roar Guru
You are not wrong Moa, the early loss of those loosies had a big impact on the game. That said I think the Wallabies did a lot wrong tactically throughout the match, plus they had some big names out that are coming back now. Both teams will improve from that performance.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
JB through my red coloured glasses Higginbotham would make a pretty good fist of anything. I have a big bit of man love for the guy.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Very good call on Kaino. I think the All Blacks can do with out McCaw, but not Carter and definitely not Kaino.