By David Pocock
November 13th 2009 @ 7:36am
It’ll be a Rocky Road for Ireland against Wallabies
Australia's Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom, cenetr, along with his teammates take a short break during the team's practice session at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, a day before the Bledisloe Cup rugby match against New Zealand's All Blacks. AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama
We’re settled into Dublin now. It’s cold and has rained most days, but training has been good and it’s a great city. Despite the weather there’s a lot to do and see away from training. The people are very friendly and seem pretty passionate about their rugby. And Rocky Elsom!
That’s all they seem to talk about. It’s become a bit of a team joke: he seems to be the darling of Leinster rugby.
Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale and myself were all on the Australian Schoolboys tour in 2005 that came over here. On that tour, we played at Donnybrook in front of a modest, but very vocal crowd.
On Sunday, it’s at the hallowed Irish turf of Croke Park, with all tickets already sold. We’re expecting 82,000 screaming Irishmen and women, with possibly a sprinkle of gold somewhere in the crowd.
The Aussies in the crowd at Twickenham were great. At times they were louder than the English crowd. That was so good to hear at Twickenham!
It was great to get the win against the English.
We hung tough and managed to get there in the end. Despite the win, we are very aware of the fact that we’ll have to be better this weekend to beat the Irish.
And if we weren’t, the Irish would be very willing to inform us of this fact. As one Irishman I was chatting to at the airport told me, “I hope you lads play as well as you did against England, because then we’ll beat you.”
I’m very excited to be starting this weekend, and all the journalists seem to want to know is “how are things between you and George?”
And every time I just tell them the truth: things are great.
He’s the first person to congratulate me after the team is announced and always tells me that if I need any tips or help with anything, he’s always available. It just goes to show the kind of person he is, and how he has achieved as much as he has, and why he is so well-loved in the team and by the rugby public in general.
I’m rooming with Quade Cooper, who is a good roomy (and no, he didn’t tell me to say that), but it does mean that I’m also rooming with James O’Connor.
I’m not certain, but they seem to be joined at the hip.
I don’t mind at all, though. There are always a lot of laughs with them around.
Last night we went to Nando’s together and James decided that we each needed to have a teaspoon of Nando’s X Sauce (I haven’t seen it in Australia but it’s short for “extra extra hot peri-peri”).
It would be some kind of initiation ceremony. For what, I’m not sure, but it seemed like a good thing to do while we waited for our meals.
I’m usually a “lemon & herb” person so the “X” was ridiculously hot, especially after the rule was introduced that you had to keep it in your mouth for five seconds before swallowing it.
Needless to say, we all sweated and drank litres of water for the rest of the meal.
It’s a bit different having a Sunday game this week, but it gives us more time to prepare and recover after the England game. So we’re all looking forward to getting out there on Sunday!
David Pocock is a current Wallaby and new columnist for The Roar. The ex-Zimbabwean plays for the Western Force in the Super 14 competition. He is the founder of the charity Eightytwenty Vision.
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fox said | November 13th 2009 @ 7:52am | Report comment
Good luck this weekend David. I have every confidence that you will give the Irish loosies hell at the breakdown. But please fella, lay off the X sauce until Monday!
pothale said | November 13th 2009 @ 8:03am | Report comment
Very informative article – I learned a lot about the Wallaby tactics and game plan from this. Must pass it on to the Irish team.
berg said | November 15th 2009 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
ur a bundle of joy… great photo btw brings out ur good side
Kento said | November 13th 2009 @ 8:35am | Report comment
I love the mental image of you guys at Nandos eating the chillies. Best for the weekend, Wallabies by 10!
Parisien said | November 13th 2009 @ 9:00am | Report comment
And if they lose, they have to drink a whole bottle each, as well as bathe in it every day for a week.
Reminds me of a challenge in the south of France where Dominic (who played number seven as well) challenged me and my mate Rory to a grilled sardines eating competition after what had already been a very large meal of bean stew, lamb, sausages and lots of pastis, beer and wine. Dominic won after eating 47 entire sardines, of a rather large size.
Go_the_Wannabe's said | November 13th 2009 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Rivetting stuff David. I realise you’re under orders not to give away inside secrets etc but how about a bit more analysis regarding the season so far i.e. what is was like playing the number 1 and 2 teams this year, will you be better for the experience, how you intend building on this experience for the world cup, an insight into what role psychology plays in the team and why you can beat the Saffa’s one week and then lose horribly the next, is the team playing more instinctive rugby these days compared to the past or do you think it is it still over prescriptive? What’s your views on “Whistle Ball” where you play for field position and wait for penalties? Would you like to see more running rugby? If so, how do you think this will be achieved in the future?
Commentary on dietary habits is fine……..but how about sticking a bit more to the rugby?
Oh, and I think the team has finally turned the corner……..Wannabe’s by 10 on Sunday.
fox said | November 13th 2009 @ 10:47am | Report comment
You can’t be serious. I hardly think that’s his brief. If Robbie Deans was writing the column maybe it would be time for an inquisition, but the guy is enjoying his tour and has probably been asked to write about the lighter side of the touring experience. Being smug to a young man is hardly becoming.
Roy Kneebone said | November 13th 2009 @ 2:23pm | Report comment
Well said Fox, respect
Ryan said | November 13th 2009 @ 1:09pm | Report comment
Ease up. David is keeping it light which i am happy with. He is not the coach or the captain, did you really expect him to discuss the game plan for the most important game of the tour. The questions you have asked above have been covered in every press conference this season. I find it refreshing to hear that the boys are having some fun and enjoying the things that Rugby tours are famous for.
rugbyfanatic said | November 15th 2009 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
Go the wannabes, get serious! Judging from your pathetic comments, I take it you follow netball closer than rugby. Leave the site to people who know.
Pocock, congratulations on your call up. Although I’m a massive George Smith fan, I think Robbie Deans got it right again. I believe you are the future Wallaby captain no doubt and with the likes of your classy room mates, the 2011 World Cup campaign is right on track. I believe Robbie Deans has the team coming along nicely with plenty of new faces blending in with the more experienced. We all know about peaking too early.
Good luck today and tell your roomy James that we’d love to see him try and grow a mo for movember. Surely not possible!!
Roy Kneebone said | November 16th 2009 @ 3:23am | Report comment
DAVID POCOCK MAN OF THE MATCH, good insight rugbyfanatic
Ack said | November 13th 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
As a fellow Zimbabwian, now Aussie, former no 7, now expert couchman – tear em to bit’s on Sunday because you are replacing a legend and playing for every punter like me who thinks you have the goods.
All our ferocious and passionate sideline support.
Roy Kneebone said | November 13th 2009 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
Good luck Bambam
Coco Wiltherall said | November 13th 2009 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Great to hear the inside scope from the Wallabies camp, these are the articles I really enjoy reading.
It’s great to see you on the starting lineup again I was a bit disappointed with your lack of presence in the first game.
You, Quade and O’Connor seem tight, any chance of luring him to the Western Force? It would be great to see you all play together there.
You guys eat actually eat Nandos? Never really tried it but I might give it go and maybe try that X sauce, see if I can handle the heat!
Good luck against Ireland, I know you and the team will step for what seems to be the biggest hurdle of the tour.
rockin rod said | November 16th 2009 @ 3:34am | Report comment
Coco, lack of presence, David was just bout our best player against the all blacks in tokyo, Robbie just rested him for the easier games against England and probably against Scotland. How did David go against Ireland this morning ? NANDOS pre game every week David. Winner winner chicken dinner
hayden said | November 13th 2009 @ 11:05am | Report comment
There is an uncanny similarity, in both looks and literary talent, between Pocock and James Haskell.
Viscount Crouchback said | November 13th 2009 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
No one in rugby can rival Hakespeare for literary talent.
Frank O'Keeffe said | November 13th 2009 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Good luck David. Don’t let Jonathan Kaplan ruin the game for Australia.
paddy ogrady said | November 13th 2009 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
Awesome hearing the inside word from the camp… You’ve got to love the spirit of the Irish. I was in dublin in jan 2007 and saw Leinster v Edinburgh at donnybrook and Iv never heard such a vocal crowd from such a small stadium. I can’t believe how amazing it will feel at croke park come sunday for you boys… Best of luck
That question from Coco was interesting on whether Quade would consider heading to the force as you three boys seem pretty close. Seeing oconnor and quade form a centre combination for the force would be an awesome sight.
Alsi being off contract with the force for 2011 would you consider Melbourne as a possible option? I think they’d be looking for a leader such as yourself in captaining a new team and establishing a solid culture.. your leadership and discipline qualities would have to warrant some serious talks with them???
I’ll definitely have to try some of that x sauce next time i’m at nandos to see how soft or hard you boys are..
Roy Kneebone said | November 13th 2009 @ 1:06pm | Report comment
Plenty of Nandos in Melbourne. Quade and David off contract, interesting????? Their is your captain and your 10, maybe James will join them down south the following year in 2012
Brett McKay said | November 13th 2009 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
Great stuff David, all the best for Sunday..
Sam Taulelei said | November 13th 2009 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
All the best David, one of these games will eventually pay off for you when you submit a column.
ohtani's jacket said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:50am | Report comment
I was thinking the same thing. Wallaby fans ought to be worried that Pocock just jinxed this.
Conrad Rines said | November 13th 2009 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
Roy Kneebone! Quade and David would be huge signings for the new melbourne team!
Thurston said | November 13th 2009 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Parisien – are you serious? Somebody, who was not even a prop, ate a serving of cassoulet and then 47 grilled sardines? I used to be something of a fine fourchette and could manage an andouilette and maybe two grilled sardines at the La Catalogne in Perpingnan, but can’t conceive of anybody eating that much at one sitting.
Please clarify.
Parisien said | November 13th 2009 @ 10:37pm | Report comment
I am fully serious. After a game of rugby in Lautrec near Toulouse, we had a BBQ (mechoui) beside a farmer’s dam where we ate cassoulet, two servings, a couple of grilled sausages, a plate of spit -grilled lamb that we’d killed the day before and then had the sardine eating competition. I pulled out at thirty something, Rory made it to 41, and Dominic won with 47, slow and steady like. Dom was a mad terror on the rugby pitch and liked the odd bar brawl as well.
Parisien said | November 13th 2009 @ 10:46pm | Report comment
Andouillette, tripes, snails, frogs legs, cassoulet, magret de canard: the soul food of France. Builds them up big and strong.
I have a Catalan friend who has his mother send him 200 live snails by post, semi frozen or “endormis”, cooks them catalan style with bacon, garlic and tomatoes, served with potatoes. They’re smallish, unlike the monsters from Bourgogne, so enough for two people.
King of the Gorganites said | November 13th 2009 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
good luck lads. give it to them. then enjoy a pint of guinness with the irish boys after the game.
... said | November 13th 2009 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
it would be nice to see a few more tries boys. i mean u can only watch giteau kick a penalty goal so many times before it gets old.
never the less ill be cheering you on.
good luck
Mclovin said | November 13th 2009 @ 3:23pm | Report comment
Great to hear the Spring tour banter is alive and well, let’s just hope the effect of the X sauce ease off before Sunday. Best of luck for the big game on Sunday.
mick h said | November 13th 2009 @ 3:34pm | Report comment
Is it just me or is this not the most civil and light hearted lead up to an international for some time.
I’m very happy about this. There’s no niggle, no one proclaiming their hate of all things Irish/Australian. There are no headlines like: “Watch our Aussies Soldiers Bury The Irish Potato Farmers” or ” Useless Convict Aussies In For A Rugby Lesson On Sunday” (although this might be true)
It is very Irish, though, to be all touchy feely before the game before unleashing terror on the pitch. Keep aleart David. They are cunning these Irish folk. Have a cracking game old boy. Go Aussie.
pothale said | November 13th 2009 @ 10:39pm | Report comment
Mick – “Watch our Aussies Soldiers Bury The Irish Potato Farmers”?
LOL!
I’d love if someone used that as a headline. It would cut the current love-in between the two in shreds.
I think we need a mini-comp for most annoying headline to get up people’s noses.
Parisien said | November 13th 2009 @ 10:56pm | Report comment
Don’t go there Pothale. Don’t even think about it. Its Croke Park remember? …
If there is a big score, I’m sure some un-thinking dim witted scribe will come up with it without prompting.
pothale said | November 13th 2009 @ 11:53pm | Report comment
We could give them a few prompts, No?
johnny-boy said | November 13th 2009 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
It would be a really good time to pull another one out of the box – like the last Bok test. The Irish keep coming but they usually can’t handle full on pressure for 80 mins. They’re looking foward to the guiness after the game too much.
pothale said | November 14th 2009 @ 1:22am | Report comment
That’s odd – I thought is was the Aussies who couldn’t handle the pressure – too much Fosters before the game.
Knives Out said | November 14th 2009 @ 8:07am | Report comment
Bloody Paddies and their beer. The same ol’ 60 minute syndrome. Weather the storm and they will crack. Professional-era? B*llocks… apparently. Regardless, I’m backing the Irish.
sportym said | November 14th 2009 @ 12:18am | Report comment
David harden the **** up, that Nando’s stuff is not that hot!!!
It might put a few hairs on O’connors, get him a bottle for xmas!
On a serious note, good luck mate!
mick h said | November 14th 2009 @ 7:35am | Report comment
Big game from France. What a win. What a passionate game that the French do so well.
See all my NZ friends. South Africa aren’t that hard to beat!!!!!! (readying to duck for cover)
The way it is! said | November 14th 2009 @ 9:39am | Report comment
Good luck to the wallabies as you will all need it for this game. Sorry to say but Irish by 7
captain nemo said | November 15th 2009 @ 4:12pm | Report comment
Thankyou for your article bam bam. goodluck tonight. Will be staying up late tonight watching keenly, hope the pigs stick it up our irish friends and set the platform for the rest of the grand slam.
stillmissit said | November 16th 2009 @ 8:25am | Report comment
David Pocock – I have not been your strongest supporter and although I could see you had great talent I was struggling to see why you were replacing George Smith.
All that changed last night. I thought you had a truly outstanding game and I can’t wait to see more of your play from here on in.
Keep up this level of performance and you have gained one more fan. (suspect you picked up a few last night anyway)
Jack said | November 16th 2009 @ 9:18am | Report comment
Great game last night Dave, well deserved man of the match performance. Disappointed with the result but such is life. Anyway, I got a little brother who is 16 and plays the highest grade he can for his age, he is also a part of the NTS programme. I was wondering at what age did you first get a manager and which management group are you currently with???
Cheers mate and great job again
paddy ogrady said | November 16th 2009 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
Jack.. Dave is managed by IMG who is biggest sports management firm in the world witht the likes of Tiger Woods, Nadal, Federer in their books.
One of my mates little brother followed the same sort of path your brother looks to be going through.. He’s now managed by IMG.. I think early management is the way to go if the player is good. A firm such as IMG are the best in the business as they have the established relationships with many of the major sponsors in which third party deals can be forged..
Hope this was helpful and good luck to your little brother with his career.
Jack said | November 16th 2009 @ 6:54pm | Report comment
cheers for that mate, I will pass that onto my brother