England coach Eddie Jones believes Australia are playing mind games over David Pocock’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s Test and fully expects the talismanic flanker to play at Twickenham.
Pocock was forced off the field in the second-half of the win over Italy last weekend with a sore neck after suffering a relapse of an injury sustained against New Zealand in August.
Pocock’s Australia teammate Will Genia has suggested the 30-year-old may struggle to recover in time to face the Red Roses, but Jones feels his old Randwick club mate Michael Cheika is merely trying to keep England guessing over selection.
“We’re not even thinking about it,” Jones told reporters on Tuesday. “I hear this every time we play Australia — Pocock’s not going to be fit — so when I heard it I thought: ‘Here we go again’.
“You know those merry-go-rounds? It’s a bit like that.”
Brumbies loose forward Pete Samu could come into the back row if Pocock fails to receive the all-clear.
Australia’s preparations for Saturday’s final autumn international suffered a further blow after a stomach bug swept through the camp.
Up to 10 players and staff members are believed to have been afflicted, including star men Israel Folau and Bernard Foley.
“It’s not ideal,” defence coach Nathan Grey said. “But it’s part of footy, so just got to get on with it and those guys, no one’s going to die.”
Additional reporting by Reuters