Georgia's new parliament opens first session amid mass protests and boycott    Gangsters block aid distribution in south Gaza    Russian deserter reveals war secrets of guarding nuclear base    Judge dismisses special counsel's election case against Trump    Best-selling novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford dies    Lulu Saudi Arabia celebrates its 15th anniversary with the grand launch of 'Super Fest 2024'    Cristiano Ronaldo's double powers Al Nassr to 3-1 win over Al Gharafa in AFC Champions League    Franchise registrations in Saudi Arabia surge 866% over 3 years    Al Ahli edges Al Ain 2-1, bolsters perfect start in AFC Champions League Elite    Saud Abdulhamid makes history as first Saudi player in Serie A    Culture minister tours Saudi pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka    Saudi Cabinet to hold special budget session on Tuesday    King Salman orders extension of Citizen's Account Program and additional support for a full year    Al-Falih: 1,238 foreign investors obtain premium residency in Saudi Arabia    Most decorated Australian Olympian McKeon retires    Adele doesn't know when she'll perform again after tearful Vegas goodbye    'Pregnant' for 15 months: Inside the 'miracle' pregnancy scam    Do cigarettes belong in a museum?    Riyadh Emir inaugurates International Conference on Conjoined Twins in Riyadh    Saudi Arabia to host 28th Annual World Investment Conference in Riyadh    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Cheika set to give final answer to Pocock World Cup query
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 22 - 08 - 2019

Australia coach Michael Cheika is expected to roll the dice and include David Pocock in his World Cup squad to be released on Friday despite growing concerns over the loose forward's lack of match fitness ahead of the global showpiece in Japan.
The 31-year-old had been expected to feature in at least one match during the Rugby Championship and two Bledisloe Cup tests against New Zealand, but selectors kept him wrapped in cotton wool throughout.
Pocock has not featured in Wallabies gold since a test against Italy last November and he barely played Super Rugby this year while struggling with a problematic calf injury.
If selected, he would have only one warmup before the World Cup, a farewell test against Samoa on Sept. 7, to prove his body is still up to the rigors of test rugby.
Pocock returned to full training before the Wallabies' last test against the All Blacks but ended up playing no part in the 36-0 humiliation at Eden Park.
Concern over the no-show has been compounded by the caginess of the Wallabies' selectors over Pocock's fitness.
"There's no clarity off the field nor on it, especially after Australia's near record loss to the All Blacks on Saturday," the Canberra Times complained earlier this week.
As a masterful ball-poacher and one of the world's most fierce combatants at the breakdown, Pocock is arguably worth waiting for, even if his return might mean change to a back row that appeared set after victory over the All Blacks in Perth.
The back three of captain and openside flanker Michael Hooper, blindside Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and rookie number eight Isi Naisarani performed well in the 47-26 defeat of the world champions at Perth Stadium, so Pocock's eventual resumption may end up launched from the bench.
Cheika answered many of his selection posers against the All Blacks, confirming that the once-wayward James O'Connor is a handy asset at outside center and that Nic White will challenge Will Genia for the starting scrumhalf role.
There is less certainty on the fringes, however, particularly around the outside backs and playmaking positions.
Nick Phipps, once Genia's understudy and a veteran of two World Cups, has fallen off the radar, leaving hope for ACT Brumbies' Joe Powell to be included if Cheika opts to avoid the risk of bringing only two scrumhalves to Japan.
Kurtley Beale has locked up his old position at fullback following the sacking of Israel Folau, with Dane Haylett-Petty a likely backup for the 15 jersey.
Pacy outside backs Jack Maddocks and Tom Banks may be nervous, however.
They could be shut out if Cheika opts to back the highly rated teenager Jordan Petaia after his recovery from a foot injury, while giving the versatile Adam Ashley-Cooper a fourth World Cup campaign.
Tevita Kuridrani, the starting 13 through most of the 2015 World Cup in England, is also no certainty after a subdued Rugby Championship outside Samu Kerevi.
With no Australian playing contract announced, time may have run out for England-based lock Will Skelton's hopes of a late inclusion, leaving Luke Jones and Rob Simmons the likely second row reserves after Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda and Adam Coleman.
At 34 and without international rugby since the England test last November, Tatafu Polota-Nau could be set for his third World Cup as a reserve hooker behind Tolu Latu and Folau Fainga'a, which would edge out three-test rake Jordan Uelese. — Reuters


Clic here to read the story from its source.