CUP DREAM STILL ALIVE FOR RED
EXCITING teenage centre Jordan Petaia has the World Cup back in his sights after being named in the Wallabies squad for their Rugby Championship clash with New Zealand.
The 19-year-old Queensland Red, sidelined for four months after foot surgery, has been given a chance to push his claims today week in Perth. The possible debutant will be joined in the squad by veterans David Pocock (calf) and Tatafu Polota-nau (knee), with the experienced pair continuing their rehabilitation from injury.
Champion flanker Pocock is racing to be fit for the World Cup in Japan, which starts on September 20.
He was ruled out of a Canberra club rugby cameo, which would have been his first game in five months. Wallabies coach Michael Cheika hasn’t revealed if he will be considered for the All Blacks game or just train with the squad. The 36-man squad will arrive tomorrow in Perth ahead of the first Test at Optus Stadium with the Rugby Championship crown still up for grabs.
The Perth clash will be one of two Bledisloe Cup Tests in 2019 with the reverse fixture in Auckland this year not included in the Rugby Championship schedule.
Cheika said selection decisions were becoming tougher with just three internationals left before their World Cupopener on September 21 against Fiji. “Squad decisions are getting harder and harder to make,” Cheika said.
“So many lads are putting their hands up at training and at club rugby around the country and each one of them is pushing the other to get better each day.
“It’s great to
(Petaia) back.” see Jordan