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INJURY-HIT FORMER CAPTAIN David Pocock was today included in the Wallabies squad to face the All Blacks next week in a major boost for Australia as the World Cup looms.
The acclaimed flanker struggled with a calf injury all season, restricting him to just 138 minutes for the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby and ruling him out of the first two Rugby Championship games.
Pocock also suffered neck and concussion problems, but has recovered sufficiently to make the 36-man squad for the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth on 10 August.
Scrum-half Nick Phipps, backrower Jack Dempsey and winger Jack Maddocks were notable omissions, with teenager Jordan Petaia a surprise inclusion.
The exciting 19-year-old outside back was due to make his Test debut against Italy last year but withdrew after suffering a foot injury in training. He missed most of the Super Rugby season, and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he was happy to see him in contention once again.
“Squad decisions are getting harder and harder to make. So many lads are putting their hands up at training and at club rugby around the country, and each one of them is pushing the other to get better each day,” he said.
“It’s great to see Jordan back. He’s had a few games of club rugby under his belt now so we’ll look to integrate him this week in Perth and give him time to settle in.”
The Wallabies head into the match on the back of a confidence-boosting 16-10 win against Argentina in Brisbane last Saturday, following a disappointing 35-17 loss to South Africa.