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Subdued performances from David Pocock and Michael Hooper could force a change for the Wallabies
By Online Editors
The Wallabies believe their twin jackal approach to winning the Rugby World Cup is being stripped of its potency, casting some doubt over the ongoing selection of David Pocock.
Captain Michael Hooper and Pocock's combination is regarded as Australia's biggest point of difference in Japan, with the openside flankers proven masters at turning over breakdown possession.
However, the 'Pooper' pairing has barely made an impact on the ground through the first two games.
Pocock was penalised three times at the breakdown during the opening win over Fiji, with coach Michael Cheika later accusing match officials of focusing too heavily on the champion forward.
There were no clean turnovers in the loss to Wales although Pocock did appear to force one penalty when he got his hands to the ball held by a tackled player.
Hooker Tolu Latu, himself a proven breakdown jackal, conceded the Wallabies will consider chasing less turnovers, such is the degree of difficulty.
"Yeah, it's really hard. Even 'Poey' is struggling to get on the ball as well and he is one of the best at it," Latu said ahead of Saturday's match against Uruguay in Oita.
"The game is so quick that you don't really have much time to get into the ruck and get on the ball and it seems like refs are not really giving much penalties away at ruck time to the person pilfering. You've just got to leave it."
Referees in Japan have allowed tackled players greater leeway to hold onto the ball, which can have the effect of creating a greater attacking spectacle.
Officials are also largely ignoring side entry at rucks, which is a penalty offence. Those players can effectively clean out the likes of Pocock and Hooper before they get a firm hold on possession.
"You have to survive probably two cleanouts. And it's a fair bit of time to be in there," Latu said.
"It's probably better to be in the (defence) line and getting your line sorted so that you can get up and make tackles."
A change of Australian tactics could also prompt a selection re-think.
Hooper has been among Australia's best all year while No.8 Isi Naisarani has shown glimpses of his ball-carrying qualities in both World Cup games, leaving Pocock's place open for scrutiny.
Powerhouse blindside flanker Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been used off the bench in Japan but was an influential performer before the World Cup, playing 80 minutes in all five Tests.
He would boost the pack's physicality as well its lineout prowess.
Latu warned Pocock shouldn't be written off as a breakdown force and expected him to keep growing into his game after sitting out six months this year with a calf injury.
"I am sure he will come back this weekend and prove me wrong and probably get six turnovers," he said.
Welsh fans are understandably optimistic after their strong showing against Australia:
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Warren, if you think you should stay on coaching Wales, you are beyond deluded. If you love Wales & Welsh rugby as much as you say you do (& I'm sure you probably do) you should resign immediately so this once proud & passionate rugby nation can rebuild without you. How many of your players will make the British & Irish Lions squad.?
It's time to walk the plank.!
Go to commentsYeah nar I pretty much agree with that sentiment, wasn't just about the lineout though.
Yeah, I think it's the future of SR, even TRC. Graham above just now posting about how good a night it was with a dbl header of ENGvSA and NZvFrance, and now I don't want to kick SA or Argentina out of TRC but it would be great if in this next of the woods 2 more top teams could come in to create more of these sort of nights (for rugby's appeal). Often Arg and SA and both travel here and you get those games but more often doesn't work out right.
Obviously a long way off but USA and Japan are the obvious two. First thing we need to do is get Eddie Jones kicked out of Japan so they can start improving again and then get a couple of US teams in SRP (even if one its just a US based and augmented Jaguares).
It will start off the whole conferences are crap debate again (which I will continue to argue vehemently against), but imagine a 6 team Pacific conference, Tokyo Sunwolves (drafted from Tokyo JRLO teams), Tokyo All Stars (made up of best remaining foreign players and overseas drafts), ALL Nihon (best of local non Tokyo based talent, inc China/Korea etc, with mainland Japan), a could of West Coast american franchises and perhaps a second self PI driven Hawai'i based team, or Jagaures. So I see a short NFL like 3 or 4 month comp as fitting best, maybe not even a full round, NZvAUSvPAC, all games taking place within a 6hr window. Model for NZ will definitely still require a competitive and funded NPC!
On the Crusaders, I liked last years ending with Grace on the bench (ovbiously form dependent but thats how it ended) and Lio-Willie at 8. I could have Blackadder trying to be a 7 but think balance will be used with him at 6 and Kellow as 7. Scott Barrett is an international 6 sized player. It is just NZ style/model that pushes him into the tight, I reckon he'd be a great loose player, and saders have Strange and Cahill as bigger players (plus that change could draw someone like Darry back). Same with Haig now, hes not grown yet but Barrett hight and been playing 6, now that the Highlanders have only chosen two locks he'll be playing lock, and that is going to change his growth trajectory massively, rather than seeing him grow like an International 6.
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