Australia to make changes, no word on Pocock’s return

Michael Hooper indicated the Wallabies are likely to keep tinkering with their Test teams in the upcoming Bledisloe Cup contests but the Aussie skipper can’t shed light on whether David Pocock will play in the series.

Despite not having played for six months with a calf injury, Pocock has been travelling with the Wallabies since they went into camp in June.

There have been no fixed dates about when - or if - the champion flanker will return during the Rugby Championship, but unlike other weeks in the competition, Pocock was named in the Wallabies’ squad ahead of the Bledisloe Cup clashes in Perth and Auckland.

Reports that Pocock ran at full speed two weeks ago led to speculation the backrower could play club rugby, and then make a return for the Wallabies against the All Blacks.

But Hooper said while he was confident Pocock would be in good nick when he plays again, he could not specify when that might be.

“I don’t know as far as how his leg is tracking along,” Hooper said.

“They’re going to do the right due diligence on that and get him back on the field as soon as possible and make sure it’s going to be a continual thing.

“So I’m not sure when that is going to be but he looks in great shape. I’m sure when he does get back on the field he’ll kill it.” There has been strong talk for a while that Pocock will not be risked during the Wallabies’ lead-up games and instead just picked at the World Cup if fit, given his track record of outstanding form when playing for the first time after a long lay-off.

The rest of the Wallabies’ line-up appears likely to be changed from the one who beat Argentina in Brisbane last start, however. -Rugby.com.au