INJURED FLANKER David Pocock was missing again as Australia shook up their side to play the United States in their Pool C match in Wellington tomorrow, with scrumhalf Will Genia assuming the captaincy for the first time.

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.

“He’s not available for selection, but is getting better,” coach Robbie Deans said in Wellington before adding 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 originally named in the starting lineup but was forced to withdraw after he suffered a back twinge at training.

“I’ve been assured by the medical staff that it is a matter of days rather than weeks,” Deans said of Higginbotham’s return.

Former captain Rocky Elsom has returned to the starting lineup after Higginbotham’s late withdrawal. Replacement hooker Saia Fainga’a was also a late withdrawal through illness and Stephen Moore will move on to the bench. Number eight Ben McCalman will again deputise for Pocock.