Scans have confirmed that David Pocock has a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will now face at least six months on the sideline recovering. So where does that leave the Wallabies?
In the immediate future the loss of Pocock will be felt keenly by the Wallabies side.
His experience and ability to single-handedly keep his team in the match on his night is not going to be easy to replace. The match against South Africa in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-final springs to mind as one such example of his quality.
However the replacements for Pocock have been knocking on the door for a while now. It’s possible that giving more time to these players will provide a dimension to the Wallabies we haven’t seen for a long time.
In 2012, Pocock missed a lot of Wallabies’ rugby due to keyhole surgery to clean up cartilage in his right knee (the ACL tear is in his left knee).
That absence left room for the player that was arguably the revelation of Australian rugby in 2012 to leap into the Wallabies number seven jumper – Michael Hooper.
Hooper brings a more all-round game to the number seven than Pocock has traditionally. Hooper is extraordinarily quick for a man of his size and he regularly gains surprising metres in traffic or through small gaps.
Memorably, he had a hard time controlling the ball in his first Wallabies appearance against Wales, but since then the norm has been his ability to link the forwards and the backs with crisp passing.
Hooper isn’t a mug in the ruck either, he’s able to poach a ball when his team needs it, but is also just as likely to try and drive the opposition off the ball as get his hands on it.
The other option to replace Pocock is Liam Gill, the Reds awesome flanker.
He plays a role similar to Pocock in that he prides himself on being the first to the ball on every ruck and is harder to remove than a blind pimple once he gets there.
Turnovers are his specialty, but he isn’t poor around the park either; he is careful when running and usually presents quality ball for his team going forward.
Recently Gill has even added a left boot (but not right!) to his game.
Looking immediately to June, the Lions are probably happier knowing the ruck terror of Pocock won’t be available to make life hell.
But the great thing about Pocock’s replacements is you don’t really get the feeling we’ve reached anything like a ceiling of improvement.
Gill is obviously becoming more and more of a running player and a vocal leader around the park.
Hooper is becoming a leader by example and buries himself every game he plays, while paying great attention to his in-tight influence.
For instance, you’ll notice that Hooper was the one closest to the ball when the Brumbies great rolling maul scored a try for them on the weekend.
Against the Lions you can bet whoever gets game time is going to elevate their performance to another level.
While Pocock made noises about adding new elements to his game this year, we’ve already seen the fruit of Gill and Hooper being able to do just that in their shorter careers.
Will Genia also tore his ACL back in September of last year in a win over South Africa in Perth.
His recovery is set to be fully complete when the Reds take on the Force next weekend – that is a confirmation of the six-month recovery period.
Genia is returning ahead of the original schedule. If it is a result of maniacal rehab dedication on the part of Genia, I’d expect Pocock to emulate that level of dedication.
The thing is that everyone’s body is different and each tear and repair will be a different scenario as well.
It can’t be guaranteed that Pocock will be ready to return to competitive rugby by early September. The timing of the injury may mean that Pocock doesn’t play another competitive rugby match until February 2014.
So between now and at least September, and possibly February next year, we will have the nail-biting experience of watching two prodigious young talents get the opportunity to put their stamp on the Wallabies open-side flanker position.
Gill and Hooper have particular strengths and weaknesses, but both have the appearance of men who are out to address those and become complete footballers.
While Pocock is going to be missed, especially in the short-term, it’s a tantalising prospect to see what these multi-talented youngsters can produce at the highest level.
Max Kenney-Herbert
Roar Guru
huge shame but hooper was dominant in autumn tests against England. smith has all the experience in the world and liam gill is making headlines every week, we really aren't in too much of a bad situation here
PM
Guest
I've seen him play 12 in Sydney club rugby a few years ago, I think it may have been for Manly. It certainly is an outside the box idea. I have a feeling that Deans will go McCabe if fit, if not, Barnes or Tapuai.
Blue Blood
Guest
Really? Pocock a leader? Based on what? He was terribly lacking at the Force and I am yet to see him show true leadership as a captain for the Wallabies. He looks to others and rarely gets the group together to motivate during games. I hear his pregame talks wouldn't hype up a 4yo on a sugar high as he lacks the charisma or personality. Quotes from great leaders might float his boat but hardly send a bunch of rugby players ready to thump the opposition. Great players don't necessarily make great captains. Sorry if that ruins the media and ARU's plans but just because you want someone to be something, doesn't mean they are capable of it. Jury is definitely out on Pocock as captain.
Blue Blood
Guest
The quick synthetic fix is thought to only last 3 years. I can't see Pocock opting for that at his age.
niwdeyaj
Guest
I agree, love the idea of Hooper in the centres... he's got the size, speed, pass and skills to do well there, just need some outside the box thinking by Deans!
PM
Guest
True Elisha and thanks for the response, however, it is a possibility hence my query and why I think discussion should include George Smith.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Agree
s.t.rine
Guest
I keep reading about what Ws need against Lion's experience. Nonsense. What experience? The Lion's team will be full of rookies as trumpeted by announcers of LV , Heinekin Cup, etc., & I hope that's the case for their sake as the'experienced' ones look tired to me. Witness last Saturday's England/Italy game - Flood, Care looked awful. S T
GWS
Guest
Alcock ? :)
Ted
Roar Rookie
Hi Elisha I have never been comfortable about leaving our best intl standard players out of starting lineup - a thousand articles have been written about lack of Aussie depth and resources . For once , gratis huge injury count , we have genuine back up . I always believed leaving Hooper or Pocock out of starting is a luxury not affordable at Wallaby level . Now injury has spoken again but along came Gill . The Lions selection is focussing on huge - we can't play Gill and Hooper - we have been undone by northern Hemisphere forward power repeatedly - if we win we find a different way to do it - often after conceding pushover or penalty tries - her they come again . There was recently a several hundred comment debate on our best backline - this was stimulated by the number of Roarers that disagreed with each other - we are hardly settled then . Lions will be well settled and played in vs Ba Bas and several tour games . We need a defensive strategy to match our normally good defence - a la White - and some lateral thinking. I would start right now preparing Hooper to play inside centre - he is very quick off mark - and elsewhere we have pointed out we have plenty of playmakers . Deans already tried this with McCabe but the playmakers were not there . The inside centr position has changed a lot and no reason not to change it more - I would love to see Hoopers presence in the wider tackle channels and also to force the Flyhalf channel even closer to his 7 . We can return to a different game if we want after the lions - for now its all talent on the park - we will soon be under siege - we need boiling oil not sharper arrows .
Malo
Guest
Steve totally agree Pocock can slow the game down and change a game through his massive turnover rate, he will never go missing and has always delivered unlike Hooper and Gill who roarers hope will play well on the day.
Malo
Guest
Red Kev and co either will they fear Beale so whats the point, he is playing the best and if continues to do so should get jersey end of story.
Malo
Guest
Hooper is a good runner, but apart from European tour, where he went well, when has he made significant turnovers and if so why were the tahs so comprehensively thrashed. George outshone Hooper in his first game with no prep. Where is this all round game that outshines Pocock. Baloney Pocock is in a league way ahead of the rest of these so called legend 7s. It is a monumental loss.
Rockin Rod
Guest
Alcock is the form number 7 in the country, watch him v Gill this weekend.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I'd say Hooper's side would be more effective in the ruck against the Lions than Gill at this stage. But I wouldn't be offended if Gill got the opportunity either.
bluerose
Guest
six..........i think Fardy is that large mobile hard-to-hard forward we are missing, he's very mobile, tough and a workhorse for the Brumbies, another one to look out for is MMM and another outsider is Auelua, if i was Deans i would force JW to start Auelua @ Blindside Flanker throughout the season, his fitness has improved alot and he's fast for a big guy, he can be our battering ram against the Lions, he is built like Willem Alberts, Ben Morgan and Melon.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Hooper does force the odd turnover, but no where near as often as a Pocock, Gill or George Smith. He is no doubt great with the ball in hand, but is not as dominant in the ruck as either of the other three mentioned 7s.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
sixo, Red Kev - there is a technique that can shorten the repair time to 3 months. They use that one more often in AFL where the amount of impact on the knees isn't as heavy. However it sounds like Pocock will probably opt for the more conventional method of having hamstring ligaments placed in the knee, which take a lot longer to heal. I think thats the method Genia went for too. In a sport where rucks are such a big part it probably is the smarter option at this point. Maybe in time the other method will be stronger sooner and a better option.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Haha. I may have under played the Lions euphoria Salada. They'll be happy. Much easier to move the ball without the force of Pocock ruining things for you.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Good points there Billy. I agree with you.