Friday’s rugby news has Michael Hooper and David Pocock starting for the Wallabies, New Zealand to exploit Wallabies weaknesses, Matt Giteau to handle Sonny Bill Williams and Stephen Moore praises Dean Mumm.
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Hooper, Pocock to Start
Michael Hooper and David Pocock have both been named to start for the Wallabies for their match against the All Blacks. Pocock will start at Number 8 whilst Hooper will start at openside flanker.
“Both players have been in outstanding form for club and country this season and have shown their class in sharing the spot in the first two matches,” Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said.
“They now have an opportunity to start a Test together which they are very excited about.
“The way they both played in game one [against South Africa] and game two [against Argentina[ both as starter or off the bench, I think they forced my hand into saying ‘let’s see if this can try and work’.
“I believe it can [work] and the way we’ve set up our team up accordingly will go to support that.”
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NZ to exploit: Hansen
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has said that New Zealand will exploit the weaknesses of starting David Pocock and Michael Hooper together.
“It’s not a surprise is it, particularly after what the Boks did last week,” Hansen said.
“They were particularly good with their two fetchers on the track. They caused us problems for a while, so I don’t think you needed to be a rocket scientist to work out [Cheika] would probably go with that.
“Whilst that gives [the Wallabies] strength in some areas it probably weakens them in others. So we’ve just got to make sure we take advantage of those weaknesses and make sure that we don’t allow them to have a field day at the breakdown.”
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Giteau Will Handle SBW
Despite the significant size difference, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika believes Matt Giteau will hold his own if the All Blacks decide to target the 12 channel.
Williams, who replaces the injured Ma’a Nonu, is 23 kilograms heavier and 16 centimetres taller than Giteau
“I’d say he’ll enjoy it. There’s maybe a little size difference there, perhaps, but Giteau has got a big heart. A big heart. And he’s not scared,” Cheika said.
“He’s a very, very determined guy and now I’ve got to know him a bit more I see the determination in his character. I’m sure he’ll seize the opportunity and enjoy playing against one of the great players across both codes.”
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Moore Praises Mumm
Wallabies captain Stephen Moore has praised Dean Mumm on his return to the Wallabies.
Umm left for Europe after the 2012 season and returned with the Waratahs late this year.
“I’ve been really impressed with Deano since he’s come back from the UK,” Moore said.
“I think he’s learned a lot up there in his couple of seasons and I know he played really well up there and he’s certainly transferred that in the opportunities he’s had so far. He certainly deserves to be starting this weekend.”
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