England could get an early insight into the workings of Australia’s experimental back row 10 days before the sides meet in what could be their pool decider.
With the No8 Wycliff Palu picking up a hamstring problem and likely to miss Australia’s opening game against Fiji next Wednesday, their coach, Michael Cheika, has the opportunity to pick his two openside flankers, Michael Hooper and David Pocock.
The two have started together only once, against New Zealand last month, when they proved more than a handful for an All Black back row who included Richie McCaw and Kieran Read. Added to a solid scrum, this partnership paved the way for a 27-19 Australia victory and their first Rugby Championship.
Cheika did not repeat his experiment a week later when, on the back of six Wallaby changes, the All Blacks took revenge.
Australia, who are based in Bath, are being cautious with Palu, giving the No8 as much time as possible to be 100%. Cheika is already thought to be ready to give all 31 of his squad gametime either against Fiji or Uruguay only four days later. Next up come England, a side who do not have a conventional “fetcher” in the mould of either Hooper or Pocock.
“Cliffy has had a bit of a hamstring,” said Cheika. The coach added that Palu had trained and “he probably won’t be right for the first game, but he will probably be right for the second game”.
Hooper and Pocock, playing in the No8 shirt, “are still a possibility”, said Cheika. “We’ve got a good idea.” Australia rested their first-choice starting XV for the one-off Test against USA two weeks ago to ensure Cheika had a fully fit team available to face Fiji.
