David Pocock’s shattering season-ending knee injury has opened a fascinating battle for the Wallabies’ openside breakaway role against the British and Irish Lions in June.
Scans confirmed 24-year-old Pocock suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and faces a reconstruction sidelining him for at least six months.
He sustained the injury during the Brumbies’ 35-6 trouncing of the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night.
“Not the best news with the scan. I’m going to have to see the surgeon Monday. Really appreciate all the tweets,” Pocock wrote on Twitter.
It’s a big blow for the Wallabies, who have not only lost their marquee breakaway for the British and Irish Lions series and subsequent Rugby Championship but possibly also their captain.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had already confirmed the 2013 captaincy would be decided between World Cup skipper James Horwill and Pocock, the face of the Lions tour advertising campaign.
Horwill has yet to make his return from injury after being sidelined for 10 months but is expected back for Queensland Reds in the next couple of weeks.
Replacing Pocock at openside flanker will be a big task but fortunately there are some impressive contenders, notably the Waratahs’ Michael Hooper and the Queensland Reds’ Liam Gill, both of whom coach Robbie Deans is said to be more than content with.
Hooper made a big impression when playing most of the 2012 Tests for the Wallabies after Pocock suffered a cartilage injury to his other – right – knee.
However since moving to the Waratahs from the Brumbies, the 21-year-old livewire has struggled to find the same blockbusting form.
According to Foxsports stats, 20-year-old Gill is leading the entire Super Rugby competition in both pilfers and turnovers forced.
He was instrumental in the Reds’ 23-13 win over the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night with three pilfers and looks to have tempered the over-enthusiasm he showed in seasons past which resulted in a higher penalty count at the breakdown.
Then there is Wallabies great George Smith, a veteran of 110 Tests, who could also now emerge as a contender after replacing the injured Pocock on the field for the Brumbies in his comeback to Super Rugby on Saturday.
Smith was impressive on his return to Canberra Stadium, making 18 tackles and forcing turnovers on at least three occasions.
His experience would be invaluable in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a Lions series – having starred against them in the 2-1 series win to the Wallabies last time they toured Australia in 2001.
However, an ARU spokesman told AAP on Sunday that Smith was currently ineligible to play for the Wallabies as he was still contracted to his Japanese club and only playing for the Brumbies on a short-term deal in their off-season.
