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Agence France-Presse

Forward David Pocock is optimistic of being fit after a month out with a broken hand as Australia look to halt the New Zealand’s bid for a world-record 18th consecutive test win on Saturday in the Bledisloe Cup meeting in at Eden Park in Auckland.
The forward has been out of action since picking up the injury in Australia’s Rugby Championship win over Argentina in Perth last month.
The setback continued his wretched run with injuries during a chequered playing career, which has included two knee reconstructions, ankle and calf trouble and a fractured eye socket.
But he came through a non-contact training session on Monday and is hopeful of being ready for the meeting at Eden Park in Auckland, where Australia haven’t won since 1986.

#Wallabies eager for the Eden Park challenge. #StrongerAsOne pic.twitter.com/NXHMN7CK06
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) October 17, 2016

“It’s feeling pretty good,” he said ahead of testing his hand in a contact session.
“I’ve done all the rehab that’s been required, the last little bit is the uncontrolled contact, see how that goes.
All Blacks rout Wallabies to win 14th consecutive Bledisloe Cup
“Yesterday was good, enjoy training in the rain so we’ll see what today holds.”
Fellow forward Sean McMahon’s recovery from an ankle injury has been slower and he is unlikely to feature on Saturday.

.@pocockdavid and Sean McMahon gave the media updates on their injuries this morning. READ MORE: https://t.co/7HZrUKf8jr pic.twitter.com/UiReR97I3O
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) October 17, 2016

“It’s a bit of a long shot as you’d expect it was with the type of injury that it was, but I’ll just keep trotting away and working on building the strength back into it and see where that takes it,” he told the Australian Rugby Union website.


‘Stop whining,’ New Zealand’s Steve Hansen tells Australian counterpart Michael Cheika

New Zealand overcome Australia in Bledisloe Cup for record 18th straight test triumph

Quade Cooper dropped as Australia try to stop all-conquering All Blacks

‘Focused’ All Blacks won’t be distracted by Australia in world record bid

The Rugby Championship 2016

Injured Wallaby David Pocock hopeful of Bledisloe Cup return against All Blacks

David Pocock against South Africa in September. Photo: AFP

David Pocock faces anxious wait for scans on injured knee

David Pocock in action for the Wallabies in 2012, the year he suffered the first of several serious knee injuries. Photo: AP

In the bag: All Blacks crush South Africa 41-13 to seal Rugby Championship title

New Zealand captain Kieran Read is tackled by South Africa's Vincent Koch and Juan de Jongh. Photos: AFP

New Zealand's Ben Smith (C) is tackled by South Africa's Bryan Habana (L) and Juan de Jongh during the rugby Test match between New Zealand and South Africa at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on September 17, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

‘Not perfect’: what must the All Blacks do to please Steve Hansen after thrashing Springboks?

South African scrum half Faf de Klerk tackles All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick. Photo: AFP

South Africa's Warren Whiteley (Bottom) tackles All Blacks TJ Perenara during the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Kingspark Rugby stadium in Durban on October 8, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ANESH DEBIKY

All Blacks' fly-half Lima Sopoaga goes over for a try, that later was disallowed during the Rugby Championship match between South Africa and New Zealand at Kingspark Rugby stadium in Durban on October 8, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ANESH DEBIKY

Wallabies walloped: New Zealand crush Australia 42-8 to open Rugby Championship with a bang

Beauden Barrett runs in to score a try for the All Blacks in their Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Sydney on Saturday. Photo: AP

New Zealand's Dane Coles left, is tackled by Australia's Ben McCalman during their Bledisloe Cup Rugby test match in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Australia's Michael Hooper center is tackled by New Zealand's Julian Savea left, and Brodie Retallic during their Bledisloe Cup Rugby test match in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

New Zealand's left wing Waisake Naholo (C) fends off Australia's Israel Folau (R) and Ben McCalman (L) tackle to mark a successful try during their game of the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney on August 20, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN

Ben McCalman of Australia (C) holds onto the ball as Wyatt Crockett (R) and Codie Taylor (L) of New Zealand prepare to tackle him during their Bledisloe Cup rugby game in Sydney on August 20, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / PETER PARKS

Sport

Rugby

New Zealand are out to claim a world-record 18th consecutive test win on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland


Forward David Pocock is optimistic of being fit after a month out with a broken hand as Australia look to halt the New Zealand’s bid for a world-record 18th consecutive test win on Saturday in the Bledisloe Cup meeting in at Eden Park in Auckland.
