David Pocock ruled out with neck injury, Kurtley Beale dropped from Wallabies squad to face England
The Wallabies have suffered a major blow with David Pocock ruled out of the England clash, while Kurtley Beale will be denied the chance to wear the indigenous-designed jersey at Twickenham. FULL TEAM NEWS HERE
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The Wallabies suffered a major blow with key backrower David Pocock ruled out of the match against England on the eve of the game.
Pocock had not trained all week but was nevertheless selected to start by coach Michael Cheika on Thursday.
However, by the time he woke up on Friday morning, Pocock made the call that his injured neck was not going to be healed in time for kick-off on Saturday (Sunday 2am AEDT).
Pocock will be replaced in the starting side by Pete Samu.
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The Wallabies were still scrambling to finalise their bench by the time of publication.
A concerned Cheika had revealed Pocock suffered problems with his neck all year despite World Rugby boss Brett Gosper saying the backrower wasn’t being specifically targeted by neck rolls.
Pocock suffered the latest neck injury against Italy last Saturday.
World Rugby say they are clamping down on neck rolls, where players remove rivals from rucks by pulling or twisting the head/neck area, yet Pocock continually suffers injury in that area after breakdown contests.
“People definitely target him, I can’t say illegally because they’ll get penalised if it’s illegal – that’s what you’d expect,” Cheika said.
“But he certainly takes some punishment in there. We’ve sent through a fair few clips and spoke to people after matches and haven’t had much joy there.
“The CEO of World Rugby even came out and said he’s not being targeted illegally, so they must be looking at it.
“We’ve had our say about this already.”
Gosper told reporters in Sydney two months ago: “I’m not sure he’s (Pocock) particularly targeted either.
“I can’t comment on any one incident but we’re certainly against neck rolls, and the laws are against neck rolls and people are instructed to look out for that sort of behaviour.”
Cheika said contact with Pocock’s neck has been an ongoing problem.
“He’s had a neck issue all season from getting hits on the head and neck,” Cheika said.
“It’s always a bit of the unknown there because you feel good one day, then the next day you don’t feel as good.
“This time, after the last game, it’s lagged on for quite a while.
“I just want to give him as much time as possible to get himself feeling really good.
“He’s had the concussion symptoms before in earlier games, but not this week.”
Pocock had told Cheika he will be fit to play at Twickenham.
“He’ll have a run [on Friday], he has to get out and have a run for sure and he will do that,” Cheika said.
“With a guy like David, he’s very well prepared. I know he’s missed training but he’s the ultimate pro, he’s been through it all, he’s good at getting himself ready.
“I know it’s not ideal to not have had a lot of training under your belt to play, but if there’s one that can do it he is certainly the guy.”
Meanwhile, Cheika has dropped Kurtley Beale for the first time since becoming Wallabies coach in 2014.
Coincidentally, this is the game the Wallabies will wear their indigenous jersey for the first time on foreign soil, but Cheika said he could not afford to be “romantic” over selections.
“It’s tough, but that’s part of footy, that’s the way it goes,’ Cheika said.
“You’ve got to be clear with why, but then that’s it. Since he’s found out he’s been a strong contributor as well, along with all the other players that haven’t got to play this week.
“He told the story this week of [Aboriginal warrior] Pemulwuy, it’s a very, very inspiring story around indigenous Australians at the time of colonial arrival.
“I know that story would mean a lot to the indigenous people back home and if we can even carry a quarter of his spirit we’ll be in good stead.”
Beale has played more minutes of Super and Test rugby than any other Australian player in 2018.
Cheika is sticking with the 10-12 combination of Matt To’omua and Bernard Foley.
“I’m probably looking for Foley to run a little bit more at the line, he’s very good when he starts getting up and running at the line,’ Cheika said.
“And to bring some consistency into the game, just the same thing every time.”
Jack Maddocks will start on the wing against England while Tolu Latu returns as starting Wallabies hooker.
Maddocks replaces Melbourne teammate Marika Koroibete in what will be just his third Test start.
Latu, another player who did not feature in the 23-man squad last weekend, has been rushed straight back into the starting team as Cheika continues to rotate his hookers.
Joining Latu in the front row is veteran Sekope Kepu, who came off the bench last week.
Israel Folau remains at fullback, swapping with winger Dane Haylett-Petty who has worn the No. 15 jersey for most of the year.
Halfback Will Genia will play his 100th Test for Australia after being selected as the starting halfback.
WALLABIES: 15. Israel Folau 14. Dane Haylett-Petty 13. Samu Kerevi 12. Bernard Foley 11. Jack Maddocks 10. Matt Toomua 9. Will Genia 8. David Pocock 7. Michael Hooper (captain) 6. Jack Dempsey 5. Adam Coleman 4. Izack Rodda 3. Sekope Kepu 2. Tolu Latu 1. Scott Sio
Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Jermaine Ainsley 18. Allan Alaalatoa 19. Rob Simmons 20. Ned Hanigan 21. Pete Samu 22. Nick Phipps 23. Sefanaia Naivalu
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