Pocock was a late withdrawal from the Wallabies side to play Ireland last Saturday with a back injury and his absence was sorely missed by the Tri-Nations champions, who were dominated at the breakdown as Ireland won the match 15-6.
“He’s not avai
lable for selection, but is getting better,” coach Robbie Deans told reporters in Wellington before adding that he felt all of his injured players, apart from winger Digby Ioane, should be available for selection next week against Russia in Nelson.
Ioane has a broken thumb and said earlier this week he hoped to be available for the quarter-finals. Captain James Horwill has been rested for the match to allow a “niggle” in his shoulder to settle down, Deans said while James O’Connor had a slight hamstring strain and they had erred on the side of caution with the winger.
Flanker Scott Higginbotham was named in the starting line-up earlier in the day, but was then forced to withdraw after he suffered a back twinge. Rocky Elsom has returned to the line-up after Higginbotham’s withdrawal. Replacement hooker Saia Faingaa was also a late withdrawal through illness and Stephen Moore will move on to the bench.
Australia: K Beale, A Ashley-Cooper, A Faingaa, R Horne, D Mitchell, QCooper, W Genia (capt), W Palu, B McCalman, R Elsom, N Sharpe, R Simmons, B Alexander, T Polota-Nau, J Slipper. Subs: S Moore, S Kepu, D Vickerman, R Samo, L Burgess,B Barnes, P McCabe.<!—
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