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BY: BRET HARRIS From: The Australian February 20, 2012 12:00AM
THE Brumbies may have reason to be nervous about the policing of the breakdown in their Super Rugby opener against the Western Force in Canberra on Friday night.
The game is to be controlled by the referee who allowed Wallabies openside flanker David Pocock to "get away with murder" at the World Cup in New Zealand last year.
New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence will oversee the Brumbies-Force game after fellow Kiwi Garratt Williamson withdrew with a hamstring injury.
Last time Lawrence was in charge of a game involving Pocock it was the Wallabies' 11-9 win over South Africa in the World Cup quarter-final in Auckland.
Lawrence was vilified for his handling of the game by South Africans who accused him of allowing the breakdown to become a free-for-all.
The Brumbies refused to comment on Lawrence yesterday, but it would be surprising if coach Jake White did not raise the issue with the referee. One of the things that Lawrence's critics overlooked was that Pocock was almost unchallenged at the breakdown in the World Cup quarter-final after Springboks openside flanker Heinrich Brussow left the field with an injury.
Whether Michael Hooper or Ita Vaea starts at openside flanker for the Brumbies, they will have their hands full with Pocock, who may be the best No 7 in the world.
Pocock is expected to dominate the breakdown, but the Force will be concerned about its set-piece if secondrower Sam Wykes is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore will play against the Force despite a sore shoulder, but utility back Pat McCabe is not expected to return until round three after shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile, NSW Waratahs coach Michael Foley has expressed full confidence in rookie wingers Tom Kingston and Brackin Karauria-Henry in the absence of injured Wallabies Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner.
The latter has been ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury, while Mitchell could miss half the season with an inflamed achilles tendon.
The Waratahs had hoped Mitchell would be available for the season opener against Queensland Reds in Sydney on Saturday night, but he is likely to be sidelined for at least seven weeks.
Mitchell will wear a moon boot on his injured foot for four weeks and will probably need about three weeks conditioning afterwards.
"We have confidence in Tom and Brackin," Foley said. "They both have good skills. It's just a matter of them knowing how we want to play and then getting the job done.
"Young guys should look at other young guys who have had an opportunity. You don't have to fill anyone's shoes, just play the game you are good at."
Foley confirmed that former Wallabies and Waratahs fullback Matt Burke was no longer the NSW team's kicking coach. Burke was brought in by former Waratahs head coach Chris Hickey.
Foley said the appointment of backs coach Alan Gaffney meant Burke's services were not required. "Between Alan Gaffney and Scott Bowen we've got it well covered."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226275205017