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After re-watching some highlights of the Wallabies win over Wales, I was struck by the different reactions of the players as Harris banged over the winning conversion.
Many of the players leaped on Harris’ back. Genia pumped the air and let fly with a relieved ‘woo hoo’, but what did Pocock do? He pulled off his tape and headed over to the Welsh to thank them for a good game.
To some, this coupled with his comment to Harris that, “We’ll love you if you hit it or miss it”, is a sign that Pocock lacks the mongrel to be a world class captain.
Take Sir Ritchie McCaw. He is the epitome of hard nosed competitiveness – to the extent that he is now not even acknowledging the opposition in post match speeches. Is this an extension of the ruthless mind games that former Australian cricketer Steve Waugh made a trademark of his captaincy?
What all this reminds me of is the first tenure of a young bloke called John Eales. Younger Roarers may not remember that there were many who questioned whether a ‘nice’ bloke’ like Eales could be a good Wallaby captain. ‘He has no mongrel’ they bemoaned. History now shows that he was a fantastic captain, and one who did it his way.
Pocock still has many lessons to learn about the technical aspects of captaincy (working with referees, tactics etc), but I have no problems supporting another ‘nice guy’ in his quest to take the Wallabies to the top.
MaxT
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- David Pocock, Rugby Union, Wales, wallabies
June 18th 2012 @ 5:25am
SandBox said | June 18th 2012 @ 5:25am | Report comment
Lead from the front and by example. Show respect and courtesy to people around you, including the opposition. It is good that descent people can succeed just the same as the soulless. He has my vote
June 18th 2012 @ 11:47am
Mantis said | June 18th 2012 @ 11:47am | Report comment
well said
June 18th 2012 @ 7:03am
Jack said | June 18th 2012 @ 7:03am | Report comment
and mine.
June 19th 2012 @ 4:57pm
sheek said | June 19th 2012 @ 4:57pm | Report comment
and mine…..
June 19th 2012 @ 5:22pm
Cattledog said | June 19th 2012 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
And I thought you were the thinking man’s Roarer, Sheek.
June 19th 2012 @ 7:49pm
sheek said | June 19th 2012 @ 7:49pm | Report comment
Cattledog,
There’s not much to say since I reckon this is a nonsense post, with all due respect (sorry Matt). Pocock is an outstanding leader & impressive human being.
My hierarchy of captaincy, when all available, is (1) Horwill – (2) Pocock – (3) Genia.
June 21st 2012 @ 11:46am
Cattledog said | June 21st 2012 @ 11:46am | Report comment
Your hierarchy looks strong. I was pretty sure you weren’t running with the sheep, Sheek…lol
June 20th 2012 @ 6:37pm
AWCMONREF said | June 20th 2012 @ 6:37pm | Report comment
Rate Pocock as Number One leads by example with a McCaw like follow me boys attitude and sense he is well respected by the opposition, Horwill at Number Two never be as great a player as Pocock, or generate as much respect from the opposition but has proven leadership skills, Genia I would leave out may effect his game and that is something Australia can not afford……..
June 18th 2012 @ 7:08am
Johnno said | June 18th 2012 @ 7:08am | Report comment
I think so it is Pocock’s team now, Horwill may not return all year. So come next year Pocock would of grown so much tha tit may be his team unless he gets injured.
Will Genia did a great job as old reds captain and many said when Horwill returned Genia should of stayed captain. So don’t rule Genia out yet. But Pocock for mine will keep it. Also as Pocock is more likely to be a certain selection. Im not sure anymore due to his injuries and emergence of young players a flock Horwill is a guaranteed starter anymore, a but like rocky elsom circus with other players pushing of this spot.
Liam Gill is emerging as is micheal Hooper but Pocock should most likely keep his spot. I think Gill will start for wallabies zoom he is such class player. And 1 of them will go to 6 or 8 a bit like the George smith/phil waugh days.
And Genia also seems certain selection as Nick Phipps seems well behind Genia and Luke Burgess we don’t know when he will be back from France.
June 18th 2012 @ 7:26am
sixo_clock said | June 18th 2012 @ 7:26am | Report comment
Had my doubts at first, especially after that ‘lead by example’ comment but have seen much more from him. He seems to have grown into the job. If he starts to put his stamp on the squad then it will be the best thing to happen to the Wallabies for a long time. NFJ and Nobody have that indefinable presence to which others defer and without it our senior Rugby side tends to wallow and drift. James may have it but it is not apparent yet. No back should ever be captain, the skin lotion, aftershave and cologne ingredients intoxicate their thinking.
June 18th 2012 @ 7:59am
nickoldschool said | June 18th 2012 @ 7:59am | Report comment
Pocock isnt imo a ‘leader/motivator’ as such but it seems to work for the wallabies. And he leads by example on the field, always turning up no matter who he’s playing against, in what conditions etc. And he’s pretty much the only wallaby to do so consistently.
Genia is also a natural candidate as he is a true leader and the only one who can galvanise the troops. We should give Horwill some time first to regain his starting XV spot when he comes back then assess. But am not a fan of him as a captain as he doesnt have the skills the other 2 have. Getting used to Pocock nonchalant leading style anyway. Could only work in Oz.
June 18th 2012 @ 8:33am
Justin2 said | June 18th 2012 @ 8:33am | Report comment
Nonchalant? I dont think so…
June 18th 2012 @ 8:33am
flying hori said | June 18th 2012 @ 8:33am | Report comment
He’ll be as good as Eales, same style, leads from the front and has constructive questions with the ref and doe’snt have a scowl on his face like Elsom
June 18th 2012 @ 8:49am
Christo the Daddyo said | June 18th 2012 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Anyone who has a combination of his skills, work ethic, good manners and temperament is an obvious candidate for captain.
June 18th 2012 @ 9:21am
Dasher said | June 18th 2012 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Regardless of who from Genia, Horwill or Pocock becomes the permanent captain, it is vital that the other two act as his sergeants without any personal agenda. They all are strong leaders.
June 18th 2012 @ 9:26am
stillmissit said | June 18th 2012 @ 9:26am | Report comment
Hard question.
Horwill has done a good job for us as captain and player and I still think he is the best lock in the country by a mile or two. After the debacle in Newcastle and watching him captain The Force I doubted he would be anything more than a stand in until Horwill was fit.
My problem is he seems to be growing into a captain and very fast, if he carries on expanding himself he could be a great captain.
BTW love the observation by Matt (OP) about his actions after we won, sign of a man of substance.
June 18th 2012 @ 9:37am
The King said | June 18th 2012 @ 9:37am | Report comment
rubbish