Two Australian Injuries Gives Hope To Scotland

The Wallabies need to survive their quarter-final showdown with Scotland on Sunday (Monday morning NZT) and hope that Folau and Pocock will be able to resume their duties next week.

It was his first session of the week after being hindered by the problem in the win against Wales last weekend.

Folau and Pocock were given until Friday’s team naming for Sunday’s quarter-final with Scotland to prove their fitness, but failed to convince coaching staff they’d overcome ankle and calf complaints respectively.

“(Against Wales) he didn’t go on when we were down numbers, he was out there and we went down numbers”, Cheika said.

Cheika promised that nobody would be rested, and all fit players were up for selection against the seemingly over-matched Scots.

Giteau was on the bench in the only previous Rugby World Cup match between the Wallabies and Scotland, in the 2003 quarterfinals in Brisbane.

Final score in that 2012 test in Newcastle, north of Sydney: Scotland 9, Australia 6.

“We’re losing a world class player but we’re gaining a world class player”. It’s like for like. But we didn’t get the result and that’s something I can’t get back.

Michael Hooper will return at openside at Sean McMahon’s expense after missing the Wales match because of a suspension.

In the only other change to the starting side, lock Rob Simmons will start for Dean Mumm who has been benched.

He made the call today, drafting in Ben McCalman to replace Pocock at No. 8 and bringing Kurtley Beale in for Folau at fullback.

Cooper impressed with his only chance against Uruguay, setting up tries and showing his playmaking brilliance.

“I know he’ll cope, there’s no issue there – I think he’s dying to play”, Cheika said. Coming off the bench is a different role for him but we’re not expecting anything except what he’s delivered for the last three or four games.

“He probably hasn’t been too pleased he hasn’t been getting as many starts as he’d like”.

WALLABIES TEAM: 1. Scott Sio, 2.

Australia captain Stephen Moore remembers the conditions as being the worst he’s ever played in. Scott Fardy, 7. Michael Hooper, 8.

But Cheika insists McCalman isn’t just ready to step in – the Western Force star, and veteran of 44 Tests, is determined to show why he feels he shouldn’t have fallen down the back-row pecking order. Bernard Foley, 11. Drew Mitchell, 12. Matt Giteau (99 Tests), 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 15. Kurtley Beale.