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With the Wallabies preparing to take on South Africa this week in the first of the knock-out stages of the World Cup, two new faces have joined the squad – Matt Hodgson and Lachie Turner – with the Waratahs duo, Drew Mitchell and Wycliff Palu, being forced to return home because of hamstring injuries.
But with David Pocock the only initial open-side flanker in the squad of thirty, his backup may have come a few weeks too late, and at a large cost.
Before the Ireland game, the Wallabies staff was faced with the fact that Pocock is only human, and gets injured too.
He was pulled out of the game with a back injury and Ben McCalman, who has spent most of his rugby career at number 6 or 8, had to start in Pocock’s position of 7.
McCalman was hardly seen at the breakdowns, where Pocock would usually be causing turnovers or forcing the other team into penalties and this wasn’t the only factor towards the loss to Ireland but it sure didn’t help.
Pocock is now fit, so Hodgson is expected to sit on the sidelines anyway and for the game they needed him, he wasn’t there.
Many still question the selection of Hodgson over veteran Phil Waugh and also Beau Robinson who were both in red-hot form during the Super Rugby season this year.
Waugh also played a big role in his club team, Sydney Uni into making the Grand Final.
The loss to Ireland set up a do-or-die quarter-final against South Africa, the now-ranked number two team in the world, instead of a quarter-final against Wales, ranked only at six.
The Springboks, even without sharpshooting Frans Steyn, who can kick penalties from anywhere within 60 metres, look a big chance to end the Australia’s World Cup two weeks earlier than originally expected.
The injury news coming out of the Wallabies camp is improving though, with Pat McCabe, Kurley Beale and Digby Ioane all expected to be up for selection this week.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.