Pocock returns to Auckland Bledisloe squad

[The InnFORCEr]

Today at 5:30 PM International
by Beth Newman


David Pocock could be in line to make his return from injury in the final Bledisloe Test, named in a 31-man Wallabies squad for the Auckland trip.

Pocock and his immediate replacement, Sean McMahon (syndesmosis) have both been included in the squad for the October 22 Test at Eden Park, though considered outside chances of playing.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said Pocock was a possibility of playing in Auckland, though McMahon would be less likely.

"They've been called into the squad for this game because there's a chancee that Pocock could be available for this game," he said.

"McMahon probably a little less but we thought we'd bring him in and get an update on him as well."

McMahon's injury came against South Africa the next week, with his early return paving the way for Leroy Houston to make his Wallabies debut at Twickenham.

The squad's announcement also confirmed the departure of Will Genia to France, the last of the Europe-based Wallabies to return overseas.

Next week's final Bledisloe Test falls outside the international Test window, as it is not included in the Rugby Championship.

Genia had been with the squad since before the start of the Rugby Championship and will likely be available for three of the Spring Tour Tests, as prescribed by World Rugby's regulation nine.

Will Skelton is the only other inclusion to the squad for the trip, after being left out of the two-week tour of Pretoria and London.

In: David Pocock, Will Skelton

Out: Will Genia, Leroy Houston


Wallabies (A-Z) Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Quade Cooper, Kane Douglas, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Nick Frisby, James Hanson, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Sekope Kepu, Samu Kerevi, Tevita Kuridrani, Tolu Latu*, Stephen Moore, Luke Morahan, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Sefanaia Naivalu, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tom Robertson, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Will Skelton, Henry Speight, James Slipper, Lopeti Timani,

*denotes uncapped player

http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2016/10...d-announcement

[chiraag]

Will Skelton - seriously?!

Surely lock is more than adequately covered by Coleman, Simmons, Arnold, Douglas, Fardy and Mumm, and we've seen him fail at test level more than enough times now.

[GIGS20]

Will Skelton - seriously?!

Surely lock is more than adequately covered by Coleman, Simmons, Arnold, Douglas, Fardy and Mumm, and we've seen him fail at test level more than enough times now.

You obviously don't see the value of having an underperforming, slow and stupid 130kg lock in the squad.

[shasta]

You obviously don't see the value of having an underperforming, slow and stupid 130kg Waratah lock in the squad.

Fixed.

[Tonkar]

I would have liked to have seen a player who is worth the trip do a mascot minding trip than Skelton... omeone who can train and see the way a tour goes may not get game time but gets experience of a tour

[valzc]

Maybe Cheika should gather together all his little pet players(Tahs), form a breakaway team on their own and just compete under a different name. At least we could frikken get rid of the knobs once and for all!

[GIGS20]

But what happens if the tahs have a player we like and respect Val?

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OK now I see my mistake, carry on

[westies man]

Pococks presence should ensure the score will be a respectable 50 point job.

[jargan83]

NZ by 29

[jono]

Saw somewhere earlier this week the average kiwi score in their 17 match winning streak has been 42 to their opponents 14