Pocock’s pain, Hooper’s gain
THE Wallabies’ rotten luck with injuries continued yesterday with prop Sekope Kepu ruled out of the second Test against the All Blacks, and inspirational flanker David Pocock sidelined for three months.
Tighthead prop Kepu suffered a grade two medial tear at training yesterday afternoon and underwent scans soon after.
It is unknown how many games Kepu will miss but Brumbies prop Ben Alexander and Reds prop James Slipper are the two candidates to step into the Wallabies’ front row to meet the Kiwis at Eden Park on Saturday.
Pocock underwent surgery on his right knee yesterday to repair cartilage damaged in the Bledisloe Cup opener, and the post-op news wasn’t good.
The Wallabies captain is set to miss at least three months, ruling him out of the remainder of The Rugby Championship and most likely the spring tour as well.
Kepu and Pocock’s injuries are the latest in a horror run for the Wallabies.
Coach Robbie Deans is already missing first-choice Test captain James Horwill, No.8 Wycliff Palu, inside centre Pat McCabe and dynamic back James O’Connor.
All were missed against the All Blacks in their lacklustre defeat in Sydney at the weekend.
And considering you need all your best cattle to compete with – let alone defeat – the All Blacks on home soil, the Wallabies will be battling uphill to end their 26-year drought at Eden Park.
Kepu’s stability at scrum time, and general mobility, has been a key asset for the Wallabies over the past two seasons.
Pocock’s loss is a huge blow for the Wallabies’ chances in TRC but unlike at the same venue at the Rugby World Cup last year, Deans can at least field a specialist openside replacement in Michael Hooper.
Hooper, 21, had a breakout season with the Brumbies and enters his first Bledisloe Cup clash in the position of never having played a minute against Kiwi skipper Richie McCaw.
‘‘I think that will be a challenge in itself and an exciting one,’’ Hooper said.
‘‘I have never played the Crusaders. Last year when we played them I was 23rd man and this year we didn’t play them at all.’’
More of a disciple of Brumbies stalwart George Smith growing up, Hooper said he had only begun studying McCaw in recent weeks but added a lack of personal experience against the Blacks No.7 may have an upside: ‘‘He doesn’t know how I play.’’
Hooper said he was also looking forward to playing at hoodoo venue Eden Park, where unlike most of his team, he hadn’t yet played a game.
‘‘That’s good. It takes your mind off a bit of the other stuff and you can just play your game,’’ he said.
‘‘A new park, no preconceived ideas.’’