Michael Cheika lavish praise on David Pocock after successful comeback

Australia head coach Michael Cheika lavished praise on flanker David Pocock after his successful comeback from injury in the recently concluded game against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium.

The 31-year-old was sidelined with a calf injury and made his first appearance in about six months on Saturday and led the Wallabies to a 34-15 win.

Pocock had earlier announced retirement from Super Rugby and revealed that he will quit international rugby at the end of the World Cup.

He went on to play 59 minutes in the game against Samoa and Cheika expressed confidence on his star flanker to successfully overcome the injury setback.

“No doubt from me because I know the team I’ve got here around medical,” he told Rugby Australia’s official website.

“The doc and our physios, they made some good calls and liaised well with the Brumbies in the back half of the season as well and together, we got it planned together.

“We didn’t look to get him back at all for any games, we just thought, ‘Let’s go milestone by milestone and keep looking at that’.

“Knowing the character of the player, I had no doubt that he would be back.”

Pocock also thanked his support staff in guiding him back on successful rehabilitation and revealed that his confidence grew with every minute on the field.

“Early on there was a bit of uncertainty but I was thinking about it this week,” said Pocock.

“I’ve had so much support, the medical staff have gone out of their way and team-mates, coaches, family and friends, incredibly grateful to have the support networks I’ve got.

“To get back is very satisfying but there’s plenty to do over the next couple of months.”