David Pocock predicts Ireland backlash in Melbourne

This time last year, David Pocock was working on a farm in his native Zimbabwe, taking a break from rugby and relying on his cousin to text him with Wallabies updates.

After a standout performance in Brisbane on Saturday in his first Test match in 18 months, the Ireland camp will be wishing he had extended his sabbatical a little longer.

Pocock, 30, put in a tour de force performance at Suncorp Stadium as the Wallabies went 1-0 up in their Test series with the Six Nations champions thanks to an 18-9 win secured by the flanker’s 72nd-minute try, his first for Australia since the 2015 World Cup final.