The Wallabies flanker will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship after he broke his hand in Australia’s 36-20 win over Argentina in Perth. The 28-year-old requires surgery which will rule him out of Australia’s final two games against South Africa in Pretoria and Argentina in London.
Pocock is likely to miss Australia’s final Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand on October 22, two weeks before Michael Cheika’s men travel to the Principality Stadium to take on Rob Howley’s Wales. And Pocock’s back-row colleague Michael Hooper admits his absence could prove to be a blow to the Wallabies.
He said: “It’s really sad for Poey. He puts himself in such great physical nick to play and that sucks for him. We’ll have to see how that all pans out. We’ve got guys chomping at the bit to get in. But it’s a loss to the squad if that happens.”
Wales face Australia in the Under Armour Series at the Principality Stadium on Saturday November 5. Howley’s men will be out to break a run of 11 successive defeats to the Aussie’s since the 21-18 triumph in 2008.
The Wallabies weathered a Welsh storm to edge to a 15-6 Rugby World Cup triumph the last time the two sides met. Fly-half Bernard Foley kicked five penalties to Dan Biggar’s two as Australia survived a crucial period when they were down to 13 men.
Wales will then face Argentina, Japan and South Africa at the Principality Stadium in a mouthwatering Under Armour Series this Autumn.
Under Armour Series 2016
Wales v Australia – Saturday, 5 November (2.30pm)
Tickets: £70, £60 (£30), £40, £25
Wales v Argentina – Saturday, 12 November (5.30pm)
Tickets: £50, £40 (£20), £30, £20
Wales v Japan – Saturday, 19 November (2.30pm)
Tickets: £35, £20 (£10)
Wales v South Africa – Saturday, 26 November (5.30pm)
Tickets: £70, £60 (£30), £40, £25
