Pocock raring to go against Russia at rugby W.Cup

Badly-missed Australia flanker David Pocock is recovering quickly in the mountain spa resort of Hanmer Springs and said Monday he is ready to return for the final World Cup Pool C game against Russia on Saturday. Pocock, the only specialist open-side flanker in the Wallabies' 30-man squad, has been sidelined with a troublesome back and missed the last two games including the shock 15-6 loss to Ireland. The Wallabies are regrouping in the thermal springs hamlet, north of Christchurch, after taking a battering with injuries in last Friday's 67-5 win over the United States in Wellington. Pocock said bathing in the hot springs has aided his recovery and he completed a running session on Sunday without inconvenience. "I've got through a fair bit of work the past couple of weeks just trying to settle it all down and do all the right things and then ran really well on Sunday morning, so it should be full training this week," Pocock told reporters. "I copped a knock against New Zealand in Brisbane (the Tri Nations match on August 27) and I had been managing it since then but it just flared up overnight (before the Ireland game). "My lower back went very tight and started spasming and they just couldn’t get it to release, so on the Friday I saw the physio seven or eight times. "I woke up on Saturday morning and it was still no good so the decision was made for me. "The hot springs here have been good for it." The Wallabies keenly felt Pocock's absence against Ireland with the Irish backrowers a decisive influence in the outcome of the try-less game which has given Ireland the inside running on topping the group. "I really felt for the boys that day as I watched from the hotel," he said. "We had put a lot of work in and didn’t come away with the win. (Coach) Robbie (Deans) said it was the longest six-day turnaround he’d experienced after the Irish game, so we were happy to play against the US." Pocock said the Australians had to win against tournament newcomers Russia to make sure of reaching the last eight, with Ireland tackling Italy in Dunedin on Sunday. The Russians conceded nine tries in going down 62-12 to Ireland in Rotorua on Sunday and are not expected to cause the Wallabies any bother. "They have got a lot of fight. They haven’t got the results they have been after but they scored good tries against Ireland and they fly into the tackle and are no pushover," Pocock said. "They have a big forward pack so they definitely enjoy the pick-and-drive and muscling it up around the ruck so that’s an area we must be strong." While Pocock is raring to go, centre Rob Horne, who has a fractured cheekbone, and back-rower Wycliff Palu, carrying a strained hamstring, will be checked by specialists in Christchurch later Monday. Horne is clinging to the hope he doesn't require surgery and may be able to make an unexpected comeback in the tournament's knockout stages, while Palu's condition is not considered serious and should only sideline the big number eight for up to two matches. Along with Pocock, goalkicking winger James O'Connor (hamstring) and flanker Scott Higginbotham (back) will also resume training on Tuesday after missing last Friday's win over the USA. Both should be available for selection this week extending the squad's selection options, team sources said.