Tuesday’s rugby news has Pocock cleared, Cheika playing a full squad, more praise for the Wallabies scrum and some issues for the Irish team.
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No citing for Pocock
Australia will have David Pocock available for their quarter-final with Scotland after he wasn’t cited for an alleged knee to Wales hooker Scott Baldwin. The star flanker was caught on camera lifting his right knee into Baldwin’s torso to free himself from the ruck area near the Wallaby goal-line.
Neither the officials or the TMO spotted the incident but there were calls on social media for Pocock to be cited for dangerous play. However, with the 36-hour window following the Test for citings to be made having now closed, Pocock will be free to play if he indeed recovers from his calf injury in time.
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Cheika refuses to rest stars
The Wallabies have been adamant that they will not rest Pocock or Israel Folau from the quarter-final showdown even if they are not fully fit. Folau is expected to recover in time for the clash against Scotland, but may still be hampered by his ankle problem.
It’s understood the Wallabies are confident Pocock has not torn any muscles, although the full extent of the calf injury is still uncertain. “I think it’s been pretty clear that we go full-on every game we play,” defence coach Nathan Grey said. “When the [game-day squad] is selected, we’ll be picking every gun we’ve got.”
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Ledesma praised for Wallabies scrum
Wallabies prop Scott Sio has emphasised the transformative effect scrum coach Mario Ledesma has had on the Australian team, with the pack laying the platform for impressive Pool A victories. The Argentine coach was picked up by the Waratahs at the start of the Super Rugby season, working under coach Michael Cheika, before being called up to assist World Cup preperations.
“In the past, people looked at scrums and thought, ‘Awww, scrum sessions’ but we really enjoy it now. He’s brought a great vibe to the unit session as a whole and everyone’s buying into it,” Sio said.
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Ireland suffering flanker shortage
The Irish team is facing an alarming injury crisis after their 24-9 victory against France in Cardiff. Flanker Peter O’Mahony will miss the rest of the World Cup after succumbing to a knee injury, while captain Paul O’Connell is awaiting the results of scans on his ‘significant hamstring injury’ that will likely see him miss the rest of the tournament though.
Jonathan Sexton was also taken off during the team’s final Pool match with a groin injury, also awaiting scans. Aside from the various injury concerns, Ireland could also be without Sean O’Brien, who is seen on match footage punching French No 8 Pascal Pape in the chest early in the first half and will likely have to answer to citing officials.
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