Australia’s David Pocock and Israel Folau confirmed their fitness for the semi-final against Argentina by coming through Saturday morning’s captain’s run without a reaction to the injuries that forced them to miss the quarter-final defeat of Scotland.
Pocock, the No8 who has won the most turnovers in the tournament, has recovered from a calf injury while Folau, one of the world’s best players under the high ball, has overcome an ankle problem.
They were named in the Australia team on Friday because it had to be announced within 48 hours of the match, but their selection was conditional on coming through the captain’s run. “They are both world-class players which is why Cheik [Michael Cheika, the head coach] gave them time to prove their fitness,” said the Australia wing Adam Ashley-Cooper. “Having them back is a boost for us but we cannot simply rely on them, we all have to perform.”
There was concern that Pocock’s injury could end his tournament, something the former Wallabies’ captain Stirling Mortlock argued would mean the difference between having a real chance of winning the World Cup and falling short. He was missed against Scotland who came within a minute of victory when Australia often surrendered possession.
“No matter who is in the side, we have the belief in the group that we have the ability to go out there and get the job done,” said the wing Drew Mitchell, who scored two tries against Scotland to double his tally for the tournament. “That is regardless of whether Izzy [Folau] or Poey are picked. All 23 of us in the match-day squad have the honour of pulling on the jersey and making the most of what is a great opportunity for us.”
Australia are attempting to reach their third final and the first since they hosted the tournament in 2003 and lost to an extra-time drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson against England in Sydney. Four years before that they had won final against France at the Millennium Stadium.
“There is no risk with David,” said Cheika. “We always felt it would be an eight-day injury and he has got through more training than we thought he would. He is strong mentally and fit enough to do his job. It is great to have someone of his calibre back. We have a squad mentality and everyone trusts each other.”
