Former Wallabies centre Tim Horan has said that the Wallabies won’t miss David Pocock in the second Test against England, with Sean McMahon named to replace the backrower in the second Test team.
Speaking on FOX SPORTS’ Rugby 360 last night, Horan has claimed that McMahon will more than fill the void left by the injured David Pocock when he runs out for his first Test start on home soil.
“He’s been in good form too, for the Rebels, and I think it’s a really good call,” he said.
“Whether you’ve gone McMahon or McCalman didn’t really worry me. They’re really aggressive players and you need that aggressive approach in the forward pack.
“We lacked a bit of that aggression and I’m a big fan of Sean McMahon.”
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has opted to stick with the dual openside flanker structure in his side instead of picking usual big-bodied ball-carrying number 8, with McMahon’s inclusion.
“McMahon will really add that punch to the forward pack,” Horan said.
Rugby 360 host Greg Martin said that Pocock’s wasn’t as his usual influential self in the first Test and that McMahon’s form warrants selection.
“You know we only made one turnover on the weekend so he didn’t really influence that Test match as much as we’d like,” he said.
“For the Brumbies he’s been solid, but Sean McMahon’s form for the Rebels, that aggressive nature he’ll add to the forward pack (will be crucial), also along with Carter as well.”
McMahon has proven in the last year just how dangerous he can be for the opposition when starting in a Test match.
The 21-year-old has only played eight Tests, and played a man of the match performance in almost every Test he has started.
“Ball carriers are important in the forward pack for the Wallabies and we probably lacked that punch going forward, we had it early on but it died away,” he said.
“We know McMahon is one of the best carriers in the game.”
