LONDON (Reuters) - Australia have been dealt a significant injury blow after their breakdown master David Pocock was ruled out of Saturday's final November international against England at Twickenham. "He’s hurting but he’s desperate to play," Cheika said of Pocock on Thursday. He puts his head into places people go to and he’s copped a fair few whacks in there this year." Pocock is recognised as among the best "fetchers" in world rugby, turning over opposition ball at rucks and breaking their momentum on attack. Pocock, who took a year out from international rugby in 2017, has been nursing a neck injury for most of the season which forced him out of Australia’s home Rugby Championship test against South Africa in September.

Source: thestar November 23, 2018 13:18 UTC