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Wallabies lose star loose forward at the last minute
By Online Editors
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has been withdrawn from tomorrow night’s clash with Argentina at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
David Pocock will skipper the side in Hooper’s absence and shifts into the number seven jersey while Pete Samu resumes his role at number 8, after starring against South Africa last weekend. Ned Hanigan comes on to the bench.
Hooper trained on Thursday on the Gold Coast but medical staff decided not to risk the 26-year old tomorrow night.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: "He felt his hamstring a bit at training yesterday afternoon and with his recent history, we just thought it was best not to push it.
"He was really keen to play this weekend but a week off will be a good thing for him to just get it right," Cheika said.
It's the second consecutive time the Wallabies have had a late scratch in the loose forwards, with Pocock pulling out last weekend with a neck injury.
WALLABIES
15. Dane Haylett-Petty, 14. Israel Folau, 13. Reece Hodge, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Kurtley Beale, 9. Will Genia, 8. Pete Samu, 7. David Pocock (C), 6. Lukhan Tui, 5. Izack Rodda, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Scott Sio.
Reserves: 16. Folau Faingaa, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Adam Coleman, 20. Ned Hanigan, 21. Nick Phipps, 22. Bernard Foley, 23. Jack Maddocks.
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I didn't mean to sound down on Dmac. Just looking hard at the bench sub's role of providing impact. I don't think he can do that at 15, and the bench is not really about injury cover anymore (you need to maximise it's use more than that).
He's my first choice of any New Zealander for the 10 jersey with the All Blacks.
Go to commentsAgreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
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