Roff tips Pocock to captain Wallabies at RWC15

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  • In Dubai: Joe Roff.

    David Pocock has the edge over Australia warrior Michael Hooper to head the Wallabies fight for Rugby World Cup glory, according to legendary former winger Joe Roff.

    Ex-national skipper Pocock has returned to action during the latest Super Rugby season after two nightmare years containing a succession of serious knee injuries.

    Waratahs ace Hooper stepped into the void in his absence, wearing the captain’s armband and providing a vibrant presence at openside flanker. The duo were named in a 50-man pre-World Cup training camp at the end of last month, providing a dilemma for new Aussie boss Michael Cheika ahead of this autumn’s tournament.

    The situation has echoes of the George Smith and Phil Waugh battle for the No7 jersey when Roff was donning the gold jersey with distinction more than a decade ago.

    Then, the latter was often cast in a replacement role despite his outstanding ability.

    Speaking to Sport360° prior to his guest spot at the 2014-15 UAE Rugby Awards, to be held on Thursday night at the Montgomerie Golf Club in Dubai, 1999 World Cup-winner Roff picked fellow Brumbies alumni Pocock as the man to start for the Wallabies.

    He said: “It is one of the great selection dilemmas for Australia.

    “Australia will select the player to suit the team they are playing, but that creates a headache as the captain needs to be consistently playing. Pocock is stringing games together, he has had such an unlucky run with his injuries.

    “You always think about who you would throw into the mix during a World Cup final, and he is absolutely that guy. I am a bit partial as a Brumbies fan, so I would go Pocock.”

    Australia have been drawn in a brutal Pool A, containing hosts England and Wales. Only two will proceed to the quarter-finals.

    Both the northern hemisphere sides took part in a stupendous final round of the 2015 Six Nations, Ireland emerging as champions on an epic day when all three were gunning for a points-difference victory.

    Rampant: England hammered France at Twickenham.

    A remarkable 221 points were scored across the trio of clashes, containing 27 tries. Roff believed this served as a “wake-up call” to southern hemisphere heavyweights Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

    “We keep drumming on that northern hemisphere rugby is just penalty goals and scrums,” the 39-year-old said.

    “It was a real jolt to see a lot of tries scored and a lot of end-to-end rugby. It is a statement that this is going to be the closest-fought World Cup ever seen. It is a real wake-up call for the southern hemisphere.”

    Roff was an outstanding all rounder during an international career stretching from 1995 to 2004. His mixture of sharp skills, blistering pace and imposing physique epitomised the changing face of the sport at the dawn of the professional era.

    He scored 30 tries in 86 Tests from his usual wide position, though he was also a more-than-capable kicker in one of the most successful Australia sides of all time.

    His experiences at three World Cups made him promote the virtues of returning winger Nick Cummins, believing the man known as ‘the Honey Badger’ has the type of infectious personality that would provide real value now he is back in the Western Force setup.

    “He is truly one of the great characters of the game,” added Roff. “Is he going to push out the Henry Speights of the world? I cannot see that happening.

    “The game has moved on a little bit. But the value of people rather than players is underestimated to a winning environment. Who adds value to the team, the James O’Connors [talented back who has suffered repeat disciplinary problems] or the Honey Badgers?”

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