Wallaby David Pocock out of South Africa Test with neck injury
AUSTRALIA’S top forward David Pocock has reluctantly withdrawn from Saturday night’s Test again South Africa at Suncorp Stadium.
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AUSTRALIA’S top forward David Pocock has reluctantly withdrawn from Saturday night’s Test again South Africa at Suncorp Stadium.
A neck injury had always made him lineball to play.
It was only his amazing resilience that got him as far as being selected in the Wallabies backrow on Thursday.
On Tuesday, he couldn’t talk to you by his side without moving his whole muscular body from the torso up to do so.
“You know him, he wants to play at all costs,” coach Michael Cheika said on Thursday.
The coach was even then using the word “if” he plays when admitting his breakdown king was less than 100 per cent.
No Pocock means a first starting assignment for Pete Samu, who has equipped himself well in cameos off the bench since June.
He announced his Test debut with a forced penalty turnover at the tackle against Ireland and the Wallabies need that influence at Suncorp Stadium.
The Pocock call was a mix of medical advice and the player’s own decision.