Pocock touch and go for spring tour

Updated October 16, 2012 16:57:13

Injured Wallaby flanker David Pocock admits he is running out of time to prove himself fit for the Wallabies spring tour of Europe.

Sunday could be D-Day for Pocock, whose chances of making the tour remain touch and go.

After undergoing knee surgery in late August and the former Australian captain will consult the Wallabies' medical team after Saturday night's final Bledisloe Cup clash with the All Blacks in Brisbane.

While coach Robbie Deans is hopeful Pocock will play some part in Australia's four-Test tour, starting against France in Paris on November 10, the champion number seven is not so sure.

"I'm not holding my breath," he said on Tuesday.

"You always hope that you can get back on the field and play but whether that's realistic I'm not sure.

Pocock has been settling into his new training environment in Canberra since moving to the Brumbies from the Western Force.

"I've gotten stuck in while in Canberra the past month or so and am slowly improving," Pocock said.

"It's hard to gauge how far I am away from playing. It's all about upping the load now."

Pocock suffered a medial ligament tear in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney on August 18.

With lock James Horwill (hamstring) and half-back Will Genia (knee) also falling victim to the Wallabies' captain's curse this season, Deans has once again talked veteran second-rower Nathan Sharpe out of retirement and into leading his side to Europe.

Horwill still holds high hopes of returning to action some time on the tour, while Genia is no chance after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

Deans will name a 30-man touring squad next week to assemble in Sydney on October 31, with the Wallabies leaving for Paris on November 4.

After opening against France, Australia will play further Tests against England at Twickenham (November 17), Italy in Florence (November 24) and Wales in Cardiff (December 1).

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, canberra-2600, act, australia

First posted October 16, 2012 14:27:08

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Sharks down Cheetahs to stay in touch

Updated May 20, 2012 09:49:43

Fly half Freddie Michalak posted 19 points as the Sharks beat the Cheetahs 34-20 in an all-South African clash at the Free State Stadium.

The Sharks enjoyed a slight edge in a bruising encounter, with their direct running taking them over the advantage line, allowing their backs space to run in four tries and notch a vital bonus point.

The Sharks laid down an early marker after keeping the ball from the kick-off for 12 phases and two minutes and 25 seconds, loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira and hooker Bismarck du Plessis carrying the ball strongly and providing outside centre JP Pietersen with the space to dot down.

Michalak converted to give the Sharks an early 7-0 lead, but their ill-discipline at the ruck and the running of Cheetahs forwards Philip van der Walt, Adriaan Strauss and George Earle led to two penalties for fly half Riaan Smit.

The Cheetahs backs also have plenty of flair with ball in hand and outside centre Robert Ebersohn's marvellous break from the restart led to hooker Strauss muscling his way over for a 32nd-minute try.

Michalak struck back after the Cheetahs defence allowed Riaan Viljoen's booming kick to bounce inside their 22. The 29--year-old got a hand to the ball, regathered and scored only his second Super Rugby try.

Wing Paul Jordaan obstructed the Cheetahs chase at the restart and conceded a penalty, which Smit kicked to level the scores at 14-14.

With the half-time hooter having just gone, the Sharks ran a penalty and wing Lwazi Mvovo crossed over. Michalak converted, before stretching the Sharks' lead to 24-14 with a penalty six minutes into the second half.

Replacement fly half Sias Ebersohn kicked a penalty for the Cheetahs in the 53rd minute, as the Sharks, with Du Plessis in the sin-bin after a second shoulder charge, had their hands in the ruck.

The Cheetahs went into the final quarter 20-24 down after Mtawarira infringed in the scrum and Sias Ebersohn kicked his second penalty.

The Sharks dominated the closing stages, with Michalak increasing the lead to 27-20 with a penalty. The bonus point try came in the 73rd minute when Pietersen stole the ball on the right wing, Mvovo jinked his way deep into the Cheetahs 22 and replacement centre Meyer Bosman dived over.

Michalak added the conversion as the Sharks kept themselves inside the top six and the play-off places.

Cheetahs: 20 (A Strauss try; R Smit 3; Sias Ebersohn 2 pens)

Sharks: 34 (JP Pietersen, F Michalak, L Mvovo, M Bosman tries; Michalak 4 cons; Michalak 2 pens)

Reuters

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, south-africa

First posted May 20, 2012 07:13:56

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