Pocock the Wallabies selection bolter - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Pocock the Wallabies selection bolter

By Darren Walton 30/10/2008 08:21:28 AM Comments (0)

Western Force flanker David Pocock will be the biggest selection shock when the Wallabies squad is named for Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup clash in Hong Kong.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has already told the Zimbabwean-born 20-year-old that he has won a place on the bench.

With a shortage of second-rowers, utility forward Dean Mumm is expected to start at breakaway and serve as the back-up lock, necessitating the selection of two openside flankers on the bench.

John Eales Medallist George Smith is again expected to start, with his long-time rival Phil Waugh likely to be named on the bench alongside Pocock.

"There's so many guys who go on a spring tour and never get capped and obviously being on the bench doesn't mean you always get on, so I'm just hoping to get on at some stage to do my best," he said.

Pocock grew up idolising Smith and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and says he can't believe he will be making his debut with one of them against the other.

"I mean, there's George and Phil and they've got over 150 caps between them so you can't expect too much," he said.

"They've both said congrats. They've been really good to me since I joined the Wallabies four weeks ago and shown me a lot of stuff.

"There's no sort of rivalry you would expect. It's all a 'whatever's best for the team' kind of thing at training.

"They're both great guys off the field. They both play their rugby hard on the field and they've got massive respect from within the team just through their achievements.

"So it's been really good for me to see how they train and how they go about their business. I've learnt a lot."

Likely Wallabies team: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Drew Mitchell, Ryan Cross, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Peter Hynes, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Chisholm, Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter. Reserves: Adam Freier, Matt Dunning, David Pocock, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Berrick Barnes, Lachie Turner.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news