Rugby World Cup: Michael Cheika names David Pocock in Australia squad

Australia coach Michael Cheika has named uncapped teenager Jordan Petaia and David Pocock in his World Cup squad, despite the forward's fitness concerns.

Pocock, 31, has not played for the Wallabies since November 2018 because of a calf injury but joins an experienced squad with back Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has 117 caps.

Fly-half Christian Lealiifano, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in August 2016, is also in the squad.

"I'm confident," Cheika said.

"We'll be a little bit unpredictable, that's been a little bit of our theme this year, if we don't know what we're doing no one will know what we're doing."

The two-time world champions will be captained by flanker Michael Hooper, 27, and take a squad with a total of 1,406 caps.

One of the most experienced players is versatile back Ashley-Cooper, 35, who is set to become only the second Australian to play at four World Cups after George Gregan.

Kurtley Beale, 30, is chosen at fullback in the absence of Israel Folau, who was sacked earlier this year, with Dane Haylett-Petty, 30, in as back-up.

Australia begin their World Cup campaign against Fiji on 21 September and go on to face Wales, Uruguay and Georgia in the pool stage.

The Wallabies reached the final of the 2015 tournament, but lost 34-17 to New Zealand.

Australia squad:

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga'a, Michael Hooper (captain), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese.

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt Toomua, Nic White.

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44 comments

Absolutely fantastic to see Christian Lealiifano back after having Leukemia. Hope he gets some game time and has a good tournament.
Am a Wales supporter...great that Lealiifano in squad by getting over such serious illness...well done fella
No brainer to take Pocock. If they can get him fit, together with Hooper they will cause any team in the world a problem at the breakdown.

I don't believe Aus can win the WC, but.... they know how to peak every 4 years

Folau is a big miss, not just to Aus but to the tournament. Regardless of beliefs he's one heck of a player.
Brave (and correct) decision by Rugby Australia 👏
But no Will Skelton.

From a Saints fan, I have to say that I thought Will Skelton had a fantastic season last year.
If you have one of the best players in the World available to pick, you take him, even if he'll miss the first couple of games.
Backs can cut any team to shreds but this is the first Aussie team I don’t recognise many of the forwards outside first choices, my lack of super XV but also maybe a lack of depth?

Wales need to play scrum and line-out drive game plan to squeeze the life out of the team and walk up the pitch via penalties.

As an Englishmen I always want home nations to win ... yes even the Welsh :)
How could you leave a player like Pocock out? If Curry and Underhill become half as good as him over their careers they'll be well chuffed.
Nice to see Nic White of Exeter get selected.
Taking Pocock to Japan and putting him in a squad at this stage in August are two different things. A great player but you cannot justify his selection with no game time in the 10 months before the tournament.

Also it his calf!

Far better to pick a fully fit other choice who has matches under his belt and is 'battle hardened'.

Train all you want, it is NOT the same as playing regularly.
@7 Because, amongst other things, Folau has been sacked and Pocock hasn't?
@17 Rajiv - don’t be daft. Christians are welcome except those who are extremist and openly homophobic.

But I suspect you think the jailing of Cardinal Pell was also anti-Christian too.
@20 yep, funnily enough there's no Aussies in the England team.
If Pocock is even half a chance of playing, he’s the first man on the plane for me. I love him for what he represents, and for what he stands for on and off the field.

In a world where sports stars are hero’s and idolised, there are very few that I’d want my son to look up to... whereas Pocock is a worthy role model.
And god saw that it was good. Is this a rugby or bible chat forum?
@35 It's not in his contract. The good news is that he can play for Tonga in 2023. If they get drawn in the same group as Australia, that will do wonders for ticket sales and TV viewing figures.
Agree with 'malc' 100%. This is a political selection. If Australia think they can do without Folau, then bring it on.
John 14 v.6
Australia media have hardly commented on Wales anf they have written us off, expect easy victory with Fiji being their main problem. They are confident of using certain reserves to get through to quarters. If so, fine. One thing is for sure the Aussies will have known they have been in a massive game against us. Remember, we were written off before Eng game at Twickenham in 2015
@3 Whilst I agree with your logic, my feeling is that there are no easy games when you get to quarter and semi finals.

In fact at this level, there are no easy games in the group stages, look back years at Japan and the Saffers!

I watched that game in China with 2 guys from Japan. They were in tears at the end, then celebrated by drinking the whole of my minibar!
@34 - nobody has stopped Folau holding a point of view at all. He's simply unable to express that pov as an employee of ARU (which he'd already been warned of). They're within their rights to stipulate this in the contract & didn't force him to sign it

He's free to spout now! Although a 'pov' suggests considered deliberation & 'belief' iis usually the result of brain washing (often when young)
24 manofkent. Billy V was born in Australia. As was Jack Clifford.