Pocock absence a precaution

Rugby:Australia's David Pocock failed to train with his teammates today at Eden Park, but captain, James Horwill is confident the Wallaby flanker will be fit to play against Ireland tomorrow. Australian team officials said Pocock's absence was simply a precautionary measure due to tightness in his back.

“He’s just a bit tight and you know we just wanted to be pretty careful with him,” Horwill admitted following Australia’s captain’s run training session. “We didn’t want to push it but I imagine he’ll be OK. That’s the belief I’ve got.”

As the only specialist openside flanker in the Wallabies squad, Pocock’s absence against Ireland, a match being billed as the Pool C decider, would be a major blow to Australia’s confidence. While Ben McCalman could come in at openside flanker, captain Horwill has every faith that if Pocock takes the field he will be 100 per cent match ready.

“Pocock will play if he’s right and he’ll make that call and the doctors and the medical stuff will make that call. If he’s right he’s going to give it his all; he’s that sort of guy.”