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Mixed news for Wallabies fans on Pocock, O'Connor and White
By Online Editors
Time is running out for David Pocock and James O'Connor prior to the Wallabies' first Test of a World Cup year, but halfback Nic White is back with the group.
Champion backrower Pocock has played just 138 minutes in three matches for the Brumbies this season due to a calf muscle issue and hasn’t taken the field since early March.
The 31-year-old, who was one of the stars of the 2015 World Cup, announced his retirement from Super Rugby in late May
He is attending coach Michael Cheika's national camp in Brisbane this week but did not train on Monday.
A squad for the opening Rugby Championship game against South Africa in Johannesburg on July 21 (AEST) will be announced on Wednesday or Thursday
Utility back O’Connor, who turns 29 on Friday, can’t train with the squad until inking a deal with Rugby Australia, with Queensland expected to be his Super Rugby destination.
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A veteran of 44 Tests, O’Connor became the second-youngest Wallaby when he made his Test debut as an 18-year-old against Italy in 2008 but hasn’t played for Australia since September 2013.
Off-field disciplinary issues put him on the outer with the Wallabies management and he has plied his trade overseas with London Irish, Toulon and Sale.
The former Force and Rebels star briefly returned to Australia in 2015 for a stint with the Reds, but didn’t make the Wallabies’ squad for that year’s World Cup.
Former Brumby White, who played 22 Tests between 2013 and 2015, making eight starts, is in camp this week after agreeing a deal with RA.
Since 2015, the 29-year-old White has played for Montpellier in France and English club Exeter Chiefs, to who he is contracted for one more season, before returning to play Super Rugby at a franchise to be determined.
"It's great to see Nic back," said 1999 World Cup winning captain and halfback George Gregan, who on Monday worked with the playmakers in the camp.
"Obviously playing overseas in France and the UK was very good for him in terms of rounding off his entire rugby game.
"I did some work with him when he was starting at the Brumbies many years ago. He's come back a really rounded player."
White faces plenty of competition for a halfback spot from regular starter Will Genia, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell and Jake Gordon.
"There's been good examples of depth in a number of positions in this country and I think No.9 is at the moment is definitely that case," Gregan said.
The Brumbies are in transit following last weekend’s Super Rugby semi-final loss in Argentina and won’t return to Australia until Tuesday.
The need for rest after playing and traveling means none are expected to actively participate in the camp prior to the Wallabies departure for South Africa next Sunday.
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Latest Comments
Agree, the team isn't really in transition anymore, that happened very early, and looks to have been completed by the Argentina loss, that they fixed the cause of that Foster type result and it didn't happen again.
Disagree with how you want to lock in the team like this. As Cantab suggests the real way this team is going to move forward now is by maximising the talent, and there are plenty of other ways the forward pack could potential be improved, so it is going to need some creative and ingenuitive coaching if ABs are going to prove good enough anymore.
Go to commentsBecause Robertson is allergic to risk-taking. Perofeta and Plummer were never once trialled at First Five-Eight, Beauden was kept at Fullback for like half the season despite having close to ten players over the year who can play that position.
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