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No room for David Pocock and Michael Hooper in Australian lineup says Wallabies legend
By Online Editors
Legendary flanker George Smith wants Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to persist with his recent back row combination, even if it means putting David Pocock on the bench.
The veteran loose forward returned from a calf injury to play his first test of the year in Australia's final pre-World Cup hit out against Samoa in Sydney last weekend, an encouraging sign as Pocock embarks on a third World Cup campaign.
He also led the side in place of fellow openside flanker Michael Hooper, who was rested.
During his illustrious 111-test career Smith often started in the same back row as Phil Waugh, another specialist openside.
While Smith said Pocock and Hooper have worked well together he favoured the combination of blindside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Hooper and Isi Naisarani at No.8, the trio that started during the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup series.
"I think the combination is working well, I think persisting with that would be great," Smith said.
"Pocock has done a lot to get back to where he is now, so I can see them working together on the field at the one time, and also Pocock coming off the bench."
Owen Finegan, a World Cup-winning Wallabies loose forward in 1999, disagreed, believing Pocock and Hooper should start together with Naisarani at No.8.
"I think with Isi, Pococok and Hooper you have a really dominant back row," Finegan said.
"Australia got through to the 2003 World Cup (final) with Phil Waugh and George Smith so its been proven that you can get there," he said, admitting the ploy could affect the Wallabies set piece.
Hooper and Pocock are both undersized lineout targets so the Wallabies would have to be "clever" to secure possession.
Finegan, who scored the Cup-clinching try against France at Cardiff 20 years ago, believed the current squad could deliver a third World Cup crown.
"The pressure is on the Wallabies and quite often that's when you perform the best when your backs are against the wall and no one gives you a chance," he said.
"I experienced that myself that myself in 1999, we definitely didn't go into the World Cup as favourites."
Smith, who played several years in Japan, said the tournament would be an interesting challenge for the competing nations.
"It's going to be extremely hot and I think embracing the culture and embracing the people is definitely going to assist you," he said.
AAP
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Latest Comments
Vaai is finally having his breakout year getting comfortable and showing great form at lock, and there are form players and experience all across the backrow, why on earth would you drop him to 6. Ridiculous
Go to commentsSo far, the All Blacks have won 8 matches out of 11 this year. That is a near 73% win rate. AB fans and, I assume, the team itself are not content with that and have everything to play for with the remaining 3 tests this year.
Their historical average is something like 77% these days and, although some years will always be better than others it is not likely to drop that dramatically to 70% any time soon. There is too much historical inertia on the stats. It is like saying Ireland’s form of the last 10 years or so is likely to reverse a historical average of 48% wins soon. It just isn’t.
Moreover, when you say they are ‘doomed’ to a 70% flatline are you not just assuming that Ireland will beat them again? How did that work out for you last time?
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