Pocock, Hooper combine in Wallabies’ World Cup opener v Fiji

SAPPORO, Japan (AP) — David Pocock and Michael Hooper will combine in the backrow for the first time this year when two-time champion Australia opens its Rugby World Cup campaign against Fiji on Saturday.

Pocock has missed most of the season because of injury but returned in a warmup match against Samoa and did enough to earn his place in the backrow at the expense of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, shifting to the blindside flank.

Hooper will start on the openside and Salakaia-Loto is expected to come in off the bench. Two of the best openside flankers in the game, Pocock and Hooper have regularly combined in the backrow to give Australia speed to the breakdown.

Christian Lealiifano retained his spot at flyhalf in favor of Bernard Foley, who was left out of the match-day 23.

The Fiji starting lineup contains three players who won gold medals when rugby sevens made its Olympic debut at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, with lock Leone Nakarawa, backrower Viliame Mata and winger Josua Tuisova all in the 15.

Nakarawa, and Campese Ma’afu are two of the four players in the Fiji starting lineup who are starting in their third World Cup.

Former rugby league star Semi Radradra earned a starting spot on the wing, with Australia-born Ben Volavola starting at flyhalf.