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.
Touko
Guest
Hear, hear! Excellent post. The only thing I'd add is that the decision not to take an extra open side was clearly a calculated gamble. The one match so far you wouldn't have wanted Pocock to miss was against Ireland. Any other match would have been fine. Unfortunately the gamble was a disaster, but as you say Sheek, it was just one of about 16 places (including the ref) where we weren't quite good enough.
Touko
Guest
I think pretty much everybody thinks the same way you do, except the journalists and by their accounts the WB selectors. I'm hoping Deans and co are just foxing.
dwc
Guest
Come on Aussies, show your fighting spirit, I would like to see them show some guts and pride, and Robbie to execute a game plan...! Samoa showed the Boks are vulnerable.its time to own the reality, make it more than a learning experience.....
Ben S
Roar Guru
It was always a dumb decision not to bring a back-up 7, sheek. England didn't bring Hendre Fourie, but they did bring Haskell, a man who has played quite a bit of rugby at 7, likewise Thomson for NZ. SA brought Louw as an alternative to Brussow. Ireland brought Jennings. Scotland brought Rennie, and France brought Ouedraogo. Relying on a cumbersome number 8 who also sometimes plays lock was utterly ridiculous.
Derm
Roar Guru
If there had been, would he have said so?
Gerhard van Lamp
Guest
Not at all,they were the only tean that fielded a full strength side throughout...they deserved to win :P
Mike
Guest
That's okay, neither has Henry or any of the other coaches. Never at all...
katzilla
Roar Guru
'I think there will be much to be said about selection of injured players and not giving those who showed outstanding form during a season a fair go (Beau Robinson and Ben Tapuai)' Hmmm Deans has never done that before in a World Cup, given spots to his preferences rather then the form players. Ah well, I guess you guys will be first to learn that lesson...........
2many1ndians
Roar Rookie
It would be the same back line players that won the Tri Nations? Don't tell me Aussies are second guessing the legitimacy of this years TN?
Matthew
Guest
Australia's got the the rugby (union) depth of my bath. Bok's to get stuck in and and expose the forwards. Bigger Bok backs to cut down the Wallaby headless chicken backs. Quade Cooper to leave the field on a stretcher after hopping into a Bakkies Botha clothesline.
flying hori
Guest
the pressure is building wallabies, wheres the faith boys! get behind your team, don't start attacking them and the coach, this is quater final time and its on the day, anything can happen, Lawrence could love yous on sunday!
JK
Guest
Not a single player as such, but the game plan/style intention by selecting that player YES!
taylorbridge
Guest
So very true. And whilst were examining wounds why do we persist with Rocky Elsom. Higginbotham is simply the player now that Rocky was 4 years ago. We all fade away and Rocky is fading fast. Deans , even if we win is not the coach we all thought he was. I thought after tyhe Iraq invasion that I was past having the wool pulled over my eyes. Robbie Deans may be a good coach but he sure is not a great coach
johnny-boy
Guest
BB - I'm going on memory of what I have read and seen on television interviews. I can't quote exact date, times and players. I'm not wallaby jerry (and I wouldnt want to be any more obnoxious :))
Big Boppa
Guest
JB - please quote which players actually said that - JON says the players say it but I have never actually seen a player except Pocock and O'Conner who he gave them their first starts - Happy to see any quote from anywhere - two players are not the team btw
Big Boppa
Guest
...since none of the other opensides had done enough to earn selection" so lets play McCalman who does not even play there for two test matches instead - great logic Sheek - On the basis on the basis of earning selection what about Maafu, Palu, Horne, Phipps etc - some of these guys haven't played two game sin a row for two seasons
jeremy
Guest
any player under as much stress as carter was to perform for country ; Really? You're projecting assumptions onto a freak injury...and diminishing a player who's an absolute champion, totally unflustered on the field and with a reputation of being calm, cool and collected on and off the field... Was Mitchell's hamstring a pressure injury? Francois Steyn's shoulder injury? Pocock's tight back? Or is it just Carter? Groin injuries are very common in kickers, here's a list of #10s who've been sidelined with groin injury before - Steven Larkham (out for 6 weeks), Matt Giteau (out for 4 weeks), Gordon Darcy (out for 7 weeks), Andrew Merthens (ongoing problems). How many of these were caused by 'stress' as you call it...
Mike
Guest
But what about him being apostate (and presumably, a heretic into the bargain)? The Martin Luther of rugby, apparently! Seriously, I agree that Turner has worked pretty hard and deserves a go.
mikeylives
Guest
Ummm... Mitchell is a freak of a player and a pretty good bloke by all accounts. Diddums that he grew up in Qld - he was playing for the wallabies. Big loss for the wallabies. He looked to have his pace and confidence back. Hope he is back to his best next year and doesn't let his bad luck this season get him down. Time to step up Lachie - you've worked hard enough.
Pillock
Roar Rookie
2002, absolute cracker of a line. If Pocock is injured Australia will get dusted no matter who they replace him with.