Australia vs England: David Pocock ruled out of series as James Haskell praises Eddie Jones for 'dangling a carrot'
Haskell's man-of-the-match performance in Saturday's 39-28 victory over Australia saw England's back-row dominate their Wallaby counterparts
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England’s hopes of securing a first Test series victory in Australia on Saturday have been handed a further boost after influential Australia back-row David Pocock was ruled out of the remaining two Tests after suffering a fractured eye socket in the Wallabies’ 39-28 first Test defeat on Saturday.
Former Australia captain Pocock was forced off the field after being injured in a collision as he entered a ruck, and scans have revealed that the No 8 suffered the fracture that will sideline him for between four to six weeks.
It means that the 28-year-old, who starred in Australia’s run to the Rugby World Cup final last year, will miss the weekend clash in Melbourne as well as the final third Test in Sydney on 25 June.
It leaves Australia head coach Michael Cheika with a difficult decision to make. The Wallabies currently deploy Pocock, a natural openside flanker, at No 8 to give themselves an edge at the breakdown in the form of a double-pronged attack with Michael Hooper. Sean McMahon came off the replacements’ bench on Saturday for blindside flanker Scott Fardy, and should Cheika elect to continue with his current plan, then the Melbourne Rebels back-row would be the most likely replacement for Pocock.
However, Cheika could also revert back to a traditional No 8 with both Ben McCalman and Wycliffe Palu in the squad, while Liam Gill is also capable of coming into the side to replace Pocock.
"David played very well in the first Test. We'll have a look at some options that we have," Cheika said.
"We have the option of staying with what we've got or, if we want to bring in almost a like-for-like player, then we'll go with Liam Gill.
"We have options that have got experience, so we're fortunate there, but at the same time it's disappointing to lose a player of David's quality.
"The skills he brings to the game are superb and there's that dynamic that we have in the back-row with himself, Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy."
One surprise during England’s victory on Saturday was their superiority in the back-row, with an attack led by the unlikely figure of James Haskell. The Wasps co-captain put in arguably his finest performance in an England shirt at the 68th time of asking, with a surging run deep into Australian territory early in the second half laying the platform for Marland Yarde to score a crucial second try for England.
Haskell was praised by head coach Eddie Jones after the match, and the 31-year-old credited the Australian for laying down the challenge in order to spur him on and improve his game.
"Eddie treats the boys very fairly and understands that in professional sport you have to talk to people in different ways," Haskell said.
"He knows how to talk to me to get the best out of me. He's given me an opportunity and I'm really aware there are so many good players in our squad.
"He's empowered me and now I have a role in the team. He knows how to get the best out of people and knows that some people need the carrot and others the stick. I'm more of a carrot man."
England nearly threw a 32-13 lead away when Australia clawed their way back to within four points courtesy of a second try from Hooper and one from Tevita Kuridrani, only for England to weather the storm and seal victory with a last-minute try from Jack Nowell.
Jones was critical of the performance afterwards, especially as England shipped two tires inside the opening 16 minutes, but both Jones and captain Dylan Hartley stressed afterwards that the performance is what matters when it comes to the first Test of a series, and Haskell was clearly in agreement.
"We made history because we've never won here," Haskell continued.
"We were being heckled from the moment we got here which is always quite fun. You know when you're in Australia because you get a lot of banter.
"It was just important to get the victory and continue the good work we did in the Six Nations.
"It was important that we can prove we can live with these teams, but next weekend is another test.
"Australia were great in patches and are a very dangerous side. They will regroup after this and the second Test will be another massive physical challenge and big occasion."
After securing a record win in Australia and just their fourth ever victory Down Under, England can secure a first Test series triumph if they beat Australia at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on Saturday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments