Pocock doubtful starter as Force woes mount

[GAFFA]

The Western Force have been dealt a huge blow with captain David Pocock in doubt for their last two Super Rugby games in New Zealand against the Blues and Crusaders.

The loss of the world's best openside flanker to a groin strain would be a disaster for the club.

The Australian Rugby Union, while not ordering the Force to rest Pocock, would certainly not want him risked with the Four Nations Rugby Championship kicking off next month

Pocock has played all 14 games for the Force this season and captained the Wallabies in their four Tests against Scotland and Wales.

The Force were already scouring club ranks for a replacement for Wallabies flanker Matt Hodgson who suffered a long-term ankle injury in Saturday's 28-17 loss to the Brumbies.

If Pocock is unavailable the club will be left with just two flankers from its Super squad, Wallaby Richard Brown and rookie Lachlan McCaffrey.

The Force have already lost Wallaby Ben McCalman and extended squad member Angus Cottrell to long-term injuries.

Tighthead prop Ruan Smith has been called in from the GPS club in Brisbane and second-rower Ollie Atkins from Sydney University because the Force have no fit players available in those positions. Props Salesi Ma'afu and Kieran Longbottom and second-rowers Sam Wykes and Phoenix Battye are all out.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ce-woes-mount/

[jargan83]

Dear Injury Gods,

Give us a f**king break!

Regards

Western Force supporters

[sittingbison]

OK, so the entire vaunted Force back row of Hodgo Pocock and McCcalman is out, Brownie has come back from shoulder reconstruction and back up Cottrell is out, locks Battye and Wyckes are out, Props Maafu and Longbottom are out, hooker Whittacker is out.

An entire scrum!!! FFS!! THE entire starting scrum apart from Sharpie!!! What a laugh the oldest player in the world about to retire and hes the only one left standing (after a full month of internationals as well).

So for the NZ tour we need a starting 8 and a starting 7. McCaffrey comes in at 8, so we need a backup and a starting 7. Where the fuck are they going to magically appear from. seeing as there is not a player left on the roster that can fill those roles.

[hertryk]

We must have all run over a chinaman at some tme to have this much bad luck......!!!! *&^%$#!! *&^%$#!!

[GAFFA]

not only do we need a 7 but also a backrower on the bench

[Alison]

All very depressing

But it must mean we're in for a massive dose of good luck sometime soon, surely????

[WF1964]

I thought we reached our nadir, but it appears there's a little bit further to go.

[pruc]

good opportunity to reward the performers from the local comp/perth gold force A set up.

[Happy]

well bambam if you ain't playin you can be InnFORCE'in

[normie]

All very depressing

But it must mean we're in for a massive dose of good luck sometime soon, surely????

There is some bad dim sum in the air.

[GAFFA]

good opportunity to reward the performers from the local comp/perth gold force A set up.

LoL yeah cause that wil happen.

[SNOB]

Th e Force has two kinds of luck and I dont want either!

Roll on next year and lets start afresh. It can only get better. (I hope)

[The InnFORCEr]

I think we should be competitive again by the time the Lions tour in 2015

[Happy]

There is some bad dim sum in the air.

or in UnZud .. Dum Sum

[jargan83]

or in UnZud .. Dum Sum

Thets choice az bro