England v Wallabies: Michael Cheika says David Pocock has been bothered by neck issues all year
Michael Cheika revealed David Pocock has suffered problems with his neck throughout 2018 despite World Rugby boss Brett Gosper saying the backrower wasn’t being specifically targeted by neck rolls.
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Concerned Wallabies coach Michael Cheika revealed David Pocock has 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 has been named to play England this weekend despite being unable to train all week, after suffering a 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 has 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.”
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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Originally published as England v Wallabies: Michael Cheika says David Pocock has been bothered by neck issues all year