This week’s rugby news has positive signs for Pocock, more uncertainty in the NSW backline, McCabe eyeing another return from injury and Ireland’s continued dominance at the Six nations.
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Pocock getting back to best
Brumbies captain Ben Mowen has lauded the trial performances of returning star David Pocock, claiming that Pocock has regained his Test form. The former Wallaby flanker showed no signs of the devastating knee injury that pulled him from the 2013 season, with Mowen asserting, ‘It was hard not to keep an eye on him (during the game) because he was turning over so much ball,’ after the side’s 67-0 trial win over the ACT XV on Saturday.
In other promising signs for Australian rugby fans, Pocock showcased his strong running game with a few good carries, signalling a returning confidence after 11 months on the sidelines. The team’s season opener against the Queensland Reds will set up an intriguing battle against Liam Gill, providing a true indicator of Pocock’s return to Wallaby contention. [/one_half]
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Waratahs continue backline shuffle
After an impressive attacking performance during the Waratahs’ 33-12 win against the Blues on Friday, Kurtley Beale has thrown his hand up as an exciting possibility at inside centre, leaving room for incumbent starter Bernard Foley at 10. Coach Michael Cheika is still considering a range of backline combinations ahead of the start of the regular season, with NSW also having the strong options of playing Jono Lance or Rob Horne at 12.
‘We like playing an attacking game so having two ball-distributing players and two attacking threats is often handy, but Jono Lance can fill that role as well and Rob Horne can play a slightly more direct game for us,’ the NSW coach said. In defence, Cheika saw Beale as an important counter-attacking threat, linking up with Israel Folau behind the line. [/one_half]
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McCabe returns again
Brumbies inside centre Pat McCabe will attempt to once again claim a starting position in the team’s final trial match after being cleared to return from a head knock. The former Wallaby only played 15 minutes in the Brumbies’ opening trial against the Highlanders, falling victim to a suspected concussion in his first game for seven months after returning from a neck injury.
A healthy Pat McCabe would help Laurie Fisher’s temporary backline crisis, with Lealiifano injured and Tevita Kuridrani suffering from a lack of match fitness after his suspension. Japanese recruit Harumichi Tatekawa is also a contender for the No.12 jersey for the season-opener against the Reds on February 22. [/one_half]
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Wales dominated at 6 nations
The big news from round two of the Six Nations has been the trouncing of two time defending champions Wales at the hands of a tough Ireland pack on Saturday. Ireland were too strong at the breakdown, while also utilizing a dominant maul to hand Wales an embarrassing 26-3 defeat. Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted that he was ‘surprised’ by the conservative field position game-plan, with Joe Schmidt’s tactics apparently based on predictions of bad weather that ultimately didn’t arrive.
In the round’s other matches, Scotland continued to struggle to gain any attacking momentum, losing to England 20-0 while France maintained their strong form, defeating Italy 30-10. [/one_half]
