Australia A Set For Expansion After Wallabies Injury Woes,Australia’s wallabies have had a difficult season with injuries, with Kurtley Beale and David Pocock both sidelined. This is a huge blow to the side’s chances of retaining their title and extending their reign in the series. But in the face of such setbacks, the team has not been left in a position to be complacent. In the 64th minute, Petaia completed an attrition phase.
David Pocock
David Pocock has been struggling with a knee injury and may now miss the upcoming Test series against the British and Irish Lions. The Wallabies have identified him as one of their key players, but he may not be able to play after suffering a serious injury against Italy in January. The former Brumbies forward has undergone multiple injections and has been enlisting the help of medical experts from AIS. He could also miss the rest of the Super 15 season and the Test series against the Lions.
The Wallabies have been without Pocock for the majority of the year due to injury problems, but the back rower’s emergence as a specialist No.7 has led to his inclusion in Australia’s XV. He has never lost to Wales, and Australia has a better win record against the top teams in the world when Pocock is part of the team.
In other news, Pocock will be playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan after the World Cup. It is unlikely he will sign a new contract with Australian Rugby after his current deal expires this year, but he is set to remain eligible to play for the Wallabies.
Pocock’s main strength lies in his ability to secure possession. This enables Australia’s backs to flourish. His speed at the breakdown provides quick ball and his talent for stealing creates space for the back-line. This gives the team the chance to unleash some of the best strike-runners in the world.
Kurtley Beale
Recalled to the Wallabies for the Autumn Nations Series, Kurtley Beale is hoping to help Australia qualify for the 2023 World Cup in France. He is a late addition to Dave Rennie’s squad following injuries to Tom Banks and Reece Hodge. The wallabies were already short of players after Quadree Cooper and Samu Kerevi pulled out of the end-of-year tour.
Beale’s last appearance for Australia came in the world cup loss to England last year. But he has returned to the country, and he has sounded a warning to the Wallabies’ players in France. He has cited poor strength and conditioning programs for his recent injury problems, and he hopes to be fit for the Wallabies’ upcoming series against the Springboks.
The Wallabies have lacked experienced fullbacks and are looking to replace them with proven campaigners. However, their injury woes have left Beale looking increasingly vulnerable. With a hamstring injury, the Wallabies have been left without a fullback.
Australia coach Robbie Deans is expected to announce his full squad for the Lions tour on 1 June. While David Pocock is injured, and Beale has had some disciplinary problems in the past, the decision has sparked a debate on Beale’s future.
Michael Hooper
Australia’s Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will not play in the rest of the Rugby Championship after withdrawing from the team in August due to a mental health issue. However, the former All Black has returned to full training and is set to return for the spring tour. Hooper is considered to be “ready to play” and could make an unexpected comeback against Scotland on 29 October.
Michael Hooper has been open about his injury troubles throughout his Wallabies career, but his absence has left a huge gap in the Wallabies pack and leadership group. The stalwart has played 64 Tests for Australia and has served as captain in more than half of those games. His departure has resulted in the emergence of a new leader who can take the captaincy.
As a result of the recent injury woes, the Wallabies have opted to bring in players from their National Rugby League side in order to replace those out of the team. In the latest series, the Wallabies will face Italy, France and Wales in succession. Hooper is confident that the local group can deliver a quality performance.
While there is a significant void in the Wallabies back row, the Wallabies were still able to put the pressure on the Scottish side and take the game to them. Scotland have won three straight tests against the Wallabies, and last autumn, they beat them 15-13 at Murrayfield.