Openside duo key for Wallabies says George Smith

Breakdown master George Smith has backed Australia to cause England and Wales no end of trouble in the ‘Pool of Death’ if they continue picking David Pocock and Michael Hooper in the back-row.
The new look partnership famously took down the All Blacks in Sydney two weeks ago and Smith, who partnered fellow openside Phil Waugh in the 2003 final against England, reckons such tactics could help the Wallabies challenge for their second Webb Ellis trophy on English soil.
Wales could counteract Michael Cheika‘s plans should they field Justin Tipuric alongside captain Sam Warburton, but England could come unstuck with Chris Robshaw, right, likely to be the only recognised No.7 in their squad.
“I think we could see the Hooper-Pocock combination again at the World Cup,” Smith told The Rugby Paper. “They worked extremely well together in that Sydney Test. They fed off each other and were not competing at the same breakdowns, but choosing and selecting the right time to attack breakdowns.
“They could play alongside Wycliff Palu who is a devastating runner and played extremely well in the Rugby Championship.
“Playing two sevens has worked in the past with Phil and me playing in those positions. People underestimate the instincts of a back-row player. To me, all back-rowers at international level have the ability to play all three positions and understand those roles really well.
“You can see that in Hooper and Pocock. They are similar in lots of ways and make a nuisance of themselves at the breakdown but they have different characteristics. Hooper has the ability to link extremely fluently with the backs and has the speed to match any of them. Pocock can be very dominant at the breakdown and also with ball carrying.
“There was a lapse in Auckland last week but they came up against a fantastic side who have been No.1 in the world for the past decade. The players are mature enough to put that game behind them and assess what needs doing. I’m sure they will be refreshed against the USA in Chicago before going into the World Cup.”
Smith is currently settling in at Wasps, whom he joined this summer after a season with Lyon in the Top14.
At 35, it would not have been surprising to see him hang up his boots after a glittering career that saw him win 111 caps for Australia, win two Super Rugby titles with the Brumbies and play against the British & Irish Lions in 2001 and 2013.
But, ever the competitor, Smith feels he can still do a job at the highest level and the opportunity to work with Dai Young pushed him to carry on. And who knows, Michael Cheika might call on his experience in the next few weeks?
Smith added: “I had a brief conversation with Michael prior to moving to Wasps. He wanted to see if I was interested in playing for the Wallabies again and I said yes. That’s where it’s been left.
“But you have to be realistic. I haven’t participated in the Rugby Championship so it doesn’t put me in a good position to play in the World Cup. And you can’t hide the fact that I’m in the high-age bracket compared to those playing today, but I do enjoy coming in to work still.
“I’m not looking in the past and relaxing on the legacy I have left. Last season didn’t allow me to think about retirement because I felt I played well. If I felt like I wasn’t competitive anymore there’d be no use in continuing.
“I knew Dai from the Barbarians set-up and I got a good feeling off him as a coach. I never envisioned myself playing in the Premiership but once Wasps showed their interest I took it seriously.
“I’ve come from different countries in the past. I’ve spent three years with the Suntory Goliaths in Japan and the last season in France.
“So communications-wise, it’s been a really smooth transition for me. I could pitch in with a bit of French and Japanese but this time I’m able to communicate and say what I want to say very quickly on the field which makes things easier.”
NICK VERDIER