The Wallabies are banking on flanker David Pocock’s incredible recuperative qualities to help him overcome a calf complaint and tackle Scotland in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
Pocock’s inclusion would be an enormous boost to Australia’s bid to reach the final four, given his exceptional form through the group stages at this World Cup, and his record in knockout games previously.
The former captain produced the game of his life in the quarter-final stages four years ago, inspiring the Wallabies to an 11-9 victory over South Africa as he made 26 tackles and forced a remarkable nine turnovers, while the Springboks dominated with 76 per cent possession.
Despite being sidelined for two seasons with knee injuries in the period since, Pocock’s value as the Wallabies’ most crucial cog remains.
As such, they will take the same measured approach as they did last week with star fullback Israel Folau, who was given until the naming of the team to prove his fitness, despite failing to train after rolling his ankle in the preceding victory over England.
Coach Michael Cheika will name his match-day 23 for the Scotland fixture on Friday, and assistant coach Stephen Larkham is optimistic Pocock, who again sat out Tuesday’s training session, will be able to rejoin the squad before then.
Pocock left the pitch with 20 minutes left to play in last weekend’s courageous win over Wales after copping a knock to his calf, but scans on Monday revealed no tear, leaving the Wallabies buoyant over his possible availability.
“He didn’t train today but we’re hopeful he’ll be right to train (on Wednesday), and the way we have been selecting the team is if he is fit to play on game day, he is available to be selected,” Larkham said on Tuesday.
“At this stage is he on track to be right to play.”
Larkham, who coaches Pocock at the Brumbies, is well aware of his work ethic and dedication to overcome injuries – having seen it in the past as he fought back from consecutive ACL injuries.
“There is a pretty good team here working non-stop to make sure he is right,” Larkham said.
“He is a pretty quick healer and and I expect him to start training by the end of the week.”
Jigbon
Guest
Scotland were ordinary against Samoa and Samoa lost the game to it Scotland did nothing really bar win. Their defence was terrible and attack was.... Well... Ordinary. If we don't beat Scotland its Liepzig time for us!?
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
Scots beat a vastly inferior team. They have improved since then, but not as much as the Wallabies. "Something to be said for leaving nothing in the tank" I'd rather leave enough gas in the tank for the semi and final rather than put the foot down and have nothing left for Ireland/Argentina and whoever we face in the final if we get that far... Think you're right about Cheika and this will be his undoing in years to come. He's done a great job turning journeymen into solid performers, just imagine what he could do with genuine talent!
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
"In knockouts you leave nothing to chance" Does that include the fitness of players? Or is it ok to take a gamble there?
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Well if the argument is that we can't be sure of wining a quarter final without Pocock then we certainly can't be sure of winning either a semi-final or final without him. And that's the risk that's being run on the weekend.
Ged
Guest
Izzy last week was not fit and played but was below par where Kurtly Beal would have been a better option and in fine form. Although Pocock is an exceptional player if he is not 100% and at risk of him coming off early or being under par I would not play him, we have incredible depth in the back row so we will wait and see if Pocock is selected but it will be due to injuries and not resting players for the sake of resting them. I would rather have a inform player at 100% replace them if they are not fully fit and live with the lose if it happens.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Point being if he can remotely play then he should. McCaw played the knockouts with a broken bone in one foot, couldn't train between the matches and came off with a grossly swollen foot all three matches. In knockouts you leave nothing to chance, because then you will never have regrets. Different injuries but these are possibly once in a life time events. You need to be 100% sure of what your putting at risk, either way.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Depends on whether he made the difference or not. At least that's optional. Whats the point in resting when your next match is a Superxv trial?
PiratesRugby
Guest
Actually, no one is ever 100% after knee reco for ACL tear. And Pocock's had two of them.
Dave_S
Guest
As I've said previously, he is only part human.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
If he injures himself badly enough to miss the rest of the would cup would you select him on hindsight when he could have been rested? That is the question you need to answer?
Taylorman
Guest
Unless youre mccaw of course.
Taylorman
Guest
If oz go out would you select him on hindsight if he could have played at all? That is the question you need to answer. Its arrogant to auggest the game is won.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Dunno about that Jay. We're in the finals of the RWC. Something to be said for leaving nothing in the tank. And the Scots have beaten us before. And if it was you, would you want to play? I reckon Poey doesn't mind playing in RWC QFs. And he has the credit with Cheika to do as he likes I reckon. I think I've worked Chieka out. He does play favourites. That is, he's loyal to guys who've played for him. He's got nothing against other players, he just has no history with them. So Jones misses out. One game and Higgers is gone. But Mumm and Douglas get plucked out if nowhere because he has history with them. He now has history with players like Poey, Moore, Gits and even McMahon. He talks about them differently now. He will show favouritism to those players now but only because he's built a bond with them.
Dat Mavis
Roar Pro
Because if we don't beat Scotland...
Machooka
Roar Guru
Bless you Cupcake... and I wouldn't have thought that a couple of weeks ago ?!
Existentialist
Guest
I think if he plays he will have the wood on those Scotts.
Dave_S
Guest
Gotta be 100% or rested, surely. Is there such a thing a "only a little bit" injured when it comes to leg injuries? We definitely need them late in the tournament, and we can beat Scotland without them.
Bazza
Guest
Disagree with most of you blokes, Folau should be full fitness with a rolled ankle by the weekend unless he has aggrivated it. .Pocock ? Calves are strange things..He has got a cork which is no where near as bad as a tear.. If those two are 90 percent .Play em..Always play your best team especially in a sudden death game..
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
Don't care if Poey is running around doing cartwheels, he should be given a week off to be absolutely sure he's 100% recovered as we'll need him in top shape for the last two games.... If we can't beat Scotland without their 1st choice hooker and 2nd rower, we won't get much further in the comp anyway...
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I'm not agreeing with peoples here. It's the QF of the World Cup. What is the Wallabies have a bad Test? We need our best team on, and that includes our best player.