Serious concerns remain over the fitness of outstanding Wallabies flanker David Pocock, but Australia have abandoned any thoughts of resting players for Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final with Scotland.
Pocock was a no-show at the Wallabies’ recovery session in London on Sunday, instead staying at the team hotel with medical staff to continue work on his injured calf.
The 27-year-old has been in immense form at this World Cup, confirming his status as one of the world’s truly elite players while making a successful switch to No.8 and forming a dynamic back-row one-two punch with vice-captain Michael Hooper.
But he left Saturday’s courageous 15-6 win over Wales with 20 minutes remaining after copping a blow to his calf.
The Wallabies are confident it isn’t a tear, which would carry a recovery time of between two and four weeks even on the lowest grading of damage, potentially sidelining the influential Pocock for the remainder of the World Cup.
Israel Folau, meanwhile, went through recovery and seemed in good spirits, telling teammates he was in better shape than at the same point last week.
He rolled his ankle in the victory over England, and didn’t train for much of last week, before proving his fitness on Thursday.
The 26-year-old walked with a slight limp on Sunday, but with Australia enjoying an eight-day turnaround before next Sunday’s clash with Scotland, defence coach Nathan Grey was optimistic about the brilliant fullback’s chances.
“He pulled up better than last week,” Grey said.
“Getting that extra day going into the Sunday now is really important and that was a bonus of being able to win the top of the pool – that we got that extra day of recovery and we’re certainly going to use it.”
Veteran centre Matt Giteau also needed treatment after aggravating a rib injury on the weekend, but is considered a certain starter to face Scotland.
Hooper will return from a one-game suspension and slot straight back into his No.7 jersey, while Sean McMahon and Ben McCalman, who both impressed against Wales, will battle it out for the remaining back-row spot should Pocock be unavailable.
Kurtley Beale has starred off the bench and is the natural shadow player for Folau.
But Grey is insistent that Australia have no intentions of resting any players for the elimination fixture.
“We know the seriousness of this competition and we’ve showed that throughout,” Grey said.
“We want everyone who is available to play to get out on the field and deliver their best performance.
“When you put on that gold jersey it means a lot, and the expectation is you’ll be giving everything you can give.
“If those guys are in, that’s fantastic. If they’re out, then they’re out. We can’t control that.”
Jerry
Guest
"Foul play enough to receive a YC but under the RC threshold." Nah, a knee like that would be well above the RC threshold if found to be deliberate. If the he's not been cited, they've accepted that it's not foul play.
Dave_S
Guest
It's not clear cut, but I think Tuilagi went VERY CLOSE to a problem area (I also agree the 5 weeks is very harsh because it looked more like bad luck than foul play in that case). Ball runners often lean into the tackler, to lower their centre of gravity, to use their shoulders and upper arms to bump the tackler off, and to present a smaller mid-riff target for the tackler to get in and drive up through them. Lomu did it all the time, as you say, and plenty of others too. All of these things were and are perfectly legal and fair. Unfortunately it also coincides with lifting the knee - it is a natural bio-mechanical effect of maintaining balance, by providing a countervailing force to the bringing of the upper body down and forward - that is, to avoid falling over you have to bring the thigh mass up at the same time. (I'm no expert, this just seems common sense, happy for an expert to call BS on my theory) THIS is where the problem begins - get that timing wrong and that knee can connect with the head of the tackler. So ball runners who use the upper body to bump off a tackler are putting themselves in the position to also knee someone in the head. Knees to the head are bad things and should be punished like shoulder charges are. I don't want to appear hysterical about it, but it is possible to kill someone with a knee to the head.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Foul play enough to receive a YC but under the RC threshold.
Tiger
Guest
..so was Pococks knee into the Welsh player Boomeranga. Since you insist that the tackler is not to be blamed for Tuilagi's suspension, then clearly you think Tuilagi is at fault for his own demise. Ok, please explain how Tuilagi could have changed his running style to avoid being suspended? IMO, Tuilagi has the same running style as Jonah Lomu and bumping guys over in the exact same manner. The Mike Catt reel gets rolled out every World Cup tournament and everyone celebrates and love those highlights.
Lancaster Bomber
Guest
My question is, how much time is spent checking footage for citeable offences and how evenly is that done for all teams. Looking at Pococks video someone must have been very determined to find something to have found that and then bother bringing it to anyone's attention.
Tiger
Guest
You seem to pick and choose when to scream injustice as and when it suits PeterK, mainly when the AB's are involved. There was more than enough evidence to cite Pocock.
Muz
Guest
gotta hand it to peterk. He takes his opportunities when they arise. One mention of "McCaw" and out come the usual posts. Only a few games left though Peter then we can all enjoy nice clean wholesome rugby without that nasty, "cynical", evil cheat Mr McCaw.
Taylorman
Guest
Bit like scrum straight and cheika in the dressing room? The power of the ROARRRRR!
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah well said. Petes an old arch enemy of superman and just gets in the way of everything that is Truth, Justice and the American way. Had that been mccaw hed be all over it like a wet rag. Theres no truth when prejudice prevails, hes got it baaaaad. Signed... The Justice League of America. ?
Jerry
Guest
Peter - I didn't 'replay' cause it was 11pm in NZ when he posted that and I'd gone to bed. I'm not really surprised by the stats, Pocock is the most skilled at the breakdown. That doesn't show he's not cynical. It doesn't even really show he's not more cynical than the others, just more skilled. And even if it did show he was less cynical than the others, "Less cynical openside" is kind of like "tallest dwarf" as statements go. Anyway, Pocock hasn't been cited which I agree is fair.
Groucho Jones
Roar Rookie
As a Perth-based homeopath, I share your scientific opinion Mhs uk. What treatment do you recommend? I find a 1:1m reduction of hocus pocus usually does the trick.
AndyS
Guest
Looks like Pocock got a Citing Commissioner warning...probably a bit of a tribute to the power of public media.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
The stats don't show anyone is cynical Peter K. Unless there is a breakdown of what the penalties are for then how would they tell you if a player is cynical or not? I find it a shame that you are so focused on the negatives about one of the greatest players to have graced our game (pretty sure his stats & awards back that up) that you seem to miss out on enjoying his play. Yes Kiwi rugby fans love the man. He is the captain of our greatest team & an icon of our national sport. We know he isn't perfect but after 140 odd tests he has shown a whole lot more than just cynical play. Everyone is entitled to his opinion but I am pretty sure that you have voiced yours regarding McCaw widely enough that it's very well known. I think it's a little below you to constantly have a dig at every opportunity. Just my opinion as I do enjoy your comments in the main & you will only have to put up with McCaw for a maximum of 3 more games in all likelihood. Perhaps it's time to let it go.
Tycoch22
Guest
Look at the video.
Tycoch22
Guest
Can you run without lifting your knees?
Utah
Guest
Umm, that's completely off topic. We're talking about a player holding another player back from the next play. You don't think that's blatant cheating? If you don't then I'd hate to play you in cards.
PeterK
Roar Guru
exactly the citing officer has more camera angles to examine than the one from the public. If he did knee him he would have been cited. No foul play no citing.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Utah you notice no replay when stats show the cyncial ones are McCaw and Cane
PeterK
Roar Guru
pathetic effort by the individuals concerned, obviously the citing officer viewed it from all angles, not just the one available to the public, and no case to answer.
PeterK
Roar Guru
WQ - Perhaps BUT i would have waited until he was found guilty