Pocock returns to captain Wallabies against Samoa
SYDNEY: Injury-hit Australian flanker David Pocock will make his long-awaited return for the Wallabies on Saturday, captaining the side as they take on Samoa in Sydney in a World Cup warm-up.
The talismanic 31-year-old will be pulling on a gold jersey for the first time in almost a year, ater a series of calf, neck and concussion problems.
His playing time has been severely limited in the 2018-2019 season, but Australia is anxious to see his return ater a horror run.
The team has won just six of their last 17 games and slumped to sixth in the world rankings.
Saturday’s match will be Australia’s last before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Japan later this month.
Pocock replaces current captain Michael Hooper, who does not feature in a matchday squad that is a blend of veterans and relative newcomers including front row forward Jordan Uelese and fullback Tom Banks.
It will be the last home game for a trio of Wallabies stars: Will Genia, Sekope Kepu and Tatafu Polota-nau, who on Wednesday announced he would retire ater the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Glasgow back-row Ryan Wilson will captain Scotland for the first time in Friday’s World Cup warm-up against Georgia at Murrayfield.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend selected Wilson to wear the armband ater leaving out several regulars including skipper Stuart Mcinally for their final match on home soil before the tournament in Japan.
Fraser Brown, John Barclay, Greig Laidlaw, Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg will all be rested, but Jonny Gray returns from injury to make his first appearance in Scotland’s pre-world Cup fixtures.
Townsend has made 12 changes to the Scotland side that defeated Georgia 44-10 in Tbilisi.
Warriors wing Tommy Seymour and Scarlets number eight Blade Thomson return ater concussions sustained against France almost a fortnight ago.
“We’ve been together since the middle of June and Friday night is our final chance this year to play in front of our supporters,” Townsend said.
“It’s another opportunity for players to get valuable game time and build on what was a very good performance last weekend in Georgia.