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On verge of prodigal return, Brumbies hit with Pocock blow
By RugbyPass
Pocock returns to Canberra on Monday after ending a year-long sabbatical from Australian rugby duties.
However, the Brumbies will probably have to wait until April to use the 29-year-old loose forward.
"Upon David Pocock's return from playing in Japan he sought advice for a complaint with his knee," said a statement from the Brumbies.
"Following consultation with his orthopaedic surgeon, the Brumbies and David were informed that it would be in the best interest of both parties that he underwent a minor operative procedure.
"The surgery took place yesterday, Saturday, January 20, and identified damage to his meniscus. His timeline for return to play is up to three months.
"After appropriate post-operative rehabilitation, David is expected to make a full recovery."
Pocock expressed his disappointment about the setback, but he believes the surgery was the best decision to avoid further damage to the degenerative injury.
"There is always frustration and disappointment, but all you can do is control your reaction to it. Having a bit of time off [last year], I realise how fortunate I am," Pocock told the Canberra Times.
"I was looking forward to arriving back in Canberra with some match fitness and ready to go, but this is probably the better approach. I've managed it for ages, this is the smart decision.
"It's the kind of thing that if you keep managing, at some point if it tears it will be a lot worse. You wouldn't want that to be halfway through the season."
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There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
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