WALLABY FORWARD BACKING NEXT GEN
WALLABIES great George Smith is certain the David Pocock-Michael Hooper partnership can be a force at next year’s World Cup now vibrant ball-carting back-row foils are emerging.
Smith diverted from his own farewell game media conference to talk up his positive view of the back-row future at both the Wallabies and the Queensland Reds.
It wasn’t just a chance to push Queensland’s Caleb Timu and Lukhan Tui, the Test back-row experiments of June, but dynamic 110kg Brumbies wildcard Isi Naisarani.
“There’s always going to be different opinions on whether that Pocock-Hoops make-up is going to work but I’m definitely comfortable with it for the World Cup,” he said.
“Pocock is very abrasive at the breakdown and can be a real momentum shifter with his turnovers while Hoops is constantly working, looking for opportunities to attack and brings very good defence.”
Smith yesterday joined teammate Moses Sorovi in donning the indigenous jersey the side will wear against the Sunwolves on Friday night.