Brumbies recruit David Pocock denies he has any designs on Ben Mowen’s captaincy while the Super Rugby club believe they can get the best out of the flanker’s attacking game.
Pocock, who is recovering from knee surgery, arrived in Canberra this week to begin light training with the Brumbies, where he’s set to spend the next three seasons after severing ties with the Western Force.
The move prompted speculation Mowen could be asked to step aside for Pocock – who replaced the injured James Horwill as Wallabies captain this season and led the Perth-based club – or even that it was a lure that helped persuade the flanker to sign.
But Pocock said on Friday the issue had never come up in discussions with coach Jake White and considered it a null issue.
Asked if he was considering putting his hand up for the role, he said: “No.
“That doesn’t concern me one bit as far as I’m concerned.
“Playing against them last year Ben was great for them, so I’m very happy with that.”
Pocock said the deciding factor in the move was just his rugby development.
He believes there’s room to improve, and he can do it surrounded by experienced coaches such as White, Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fisher.
“I don’t think (winning a Super Rugby title) was part of it,” Pocock said.
“It was just deciding where was going to be best for my rugby.
“I felt the better opportunity was here to prove myself and challenge myself.”
And Fisher agreed the man widely considered the world’s best openside flanker still had areas to work on.
“Dave would be the premier defensive No.7 in the competition … but David’s attacking game is an area where we can make improvements in terms of yardage, in terms of contact yardage, in terms of gain line,” said the forwards coach.
He denied Pocock’s recruitment in place of NSW-bound Michael Hooper – who was lauded for his attacking abilities – would force a change in the Brumbies’ style of play.
Fisher said much of the Brumbies’ pre-season was about nursing the injured back to full health, with the franchise boasting a jaw-dropping 13 players currently on the mend from surgery.
But he was confident the young squad was destined for the playoffs after the agony of 2012’s near-miss.
“The genesis of our revival last season has been in hard work,” Fisher said.
“And I’ve only seen that work ethic improve in that time, so I’m confident that we’ll get everybody back on deck and they’ll be a step ahead of where they were this year.”
Stanley grella
Guest
U can predict his worth when you ad u that both Higgers and Dennis are far stronger in the collision but have had little impact. Taking a chance doesn't seem like a great idea,
RebelRanger
Guest
Or could it be that Hooper started playing for Wallabies post signing due to Pococks injury. Sick of all this Waratahs/ Brumbies crap. Cummins would be rubbish and so would Tapuai. Wasn't too long ago most people were crying to drop McCabe and have Barnes at 12. Those people were proven horribly wrong. Same people now calling for Cummins/ Taps.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Im not saying he would be a great international player, im just saying he deserves a go. You wont know what hes like at a higher level until hes actually given a go.
Mad Max
Guest
Stanley Grella that is the reason we lose. We want to try and bash the Blacks att every opportunity rather than having a worker like Mowen in the backrow and trying to outplay them.Pocock and now Hooper are not being allowed to play their natural games as they are having to cover the workload left by Dennis,Samo and Higgenbotham. As to your comments on infringements etc I am not sure you know what you are talking about. We have tried everyone else in the backrow with limited success apart from Hooper so give Mowen a chance. He should have been blooded along with Taupai,Neville,Pyle and others against Scotland and Wales. Now we are struggling for depth due to injuries and as Andrew Slack is saying to ONeill and Deans dont blame the injuries we should have been bringing more contenders up to an International level.
Stanley grella
Guest
We lose tests in the collision and ruck, Ben Mowen is a very good superugby player but he doesn't provide enough in contact to actually achieve at a higher level. Also both in his career at NsW and the brumbies,he gives away stupid infringements when he is outplayed, at the brumbies this yearhe seemed to get away with murder at the breakdown and it made his impact far greater than his ability but at international level he would be found wanting.
post
Guest
Greg Holmes, Tapuai, Mowen, possibly Morahan or Mogg or even a favorite of Lord's Zack Holmes, as well as Cummins who you mentioned. I think the biggest thing to note is how many poorly performing tahs were selected. Based on form, they should have been tied for fewest, instead they started off making up over half the team and have slowly been ditched as their performance remained low game after game.
mikeylives
Guest
As a Tahs supporter, I couldn't give a rats how many Tahs are selected for the Wallabies. I want Waratah victories, but I also want the Wallabies to be successful. For eg - I think Cummins should be a Wallaby starter and I was a big fan of Hooper before he signed with the Tahs. Who else do you think have been unfairly left out of the Wallabies from the Force? Finger over Horne IMO. The tight five is still up for grabs (and I think will change over the coming months), can you list more player that aren't getting a run because of the province they play for? I think B. Foley should be in there as a reserve at least (oops he plays for NSW).
Blue Blood
Guest
Think you'll find the Brumbies are equal bottom with the Force. But it's true that Deans' local gets rediculous favouritism. Based on form very few Tahs players would have been selected. Frustrating for everyone but Tahs supports.
Chris
Guest
People were always going to start saying Hooper was better than Pocock the second Hooper signed with the Tahs and Pocock went to the Brumbies. The Waratahs are always first considered for Wallaby selection (regardless of performance) and the Brumbies last.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Ive been wondering the same. If any player had 'earned' a spot, its him. Probably has something to do with leaving NSW.
RebelRanger
Guest
Watching the test against Argentina. Hooper looked like more of a leader than Pocock ever has. On a few occasions he grabbed the boys in and settled them down. None more noticable when the Wallabies got a tighthead with a few minutes ago and Hooper reined the boys in as they were getting in the Argentina players faces..
Halleys Comet
Guest
Widely considered the worlds best openside flanker? another subjective media opinion, no issue with "world class"
Elliott
Guest
What did Ben Mowen do to not earn his Wallabies jumper this season?
Elliott
Guest
What did Ben Mowen do to not earn his Wallabies jumper this season?
Keith of WA
Guest
Interesting comments from Laurie Fisher.... something that Roarers and others have noted... particularly obvious now that someone like Hooper is playing tests....
Jack
Guest
David is a leader regardless of whether he is the skipper or not. Over recent years the senior players at the Brumbies lead the team astray. With Ben Mowen, Steve Moore Pat McCabe & Ben Alexander we have a great leadership group. These players gave 100% all the time. Got the best coaching staff on Oz and some of the best prospects. Welcome to the Brumbies Dave. Can't wait for the season to start.
Blue Blood
Guest
Nor should he. The experience at the Force showed that he was an average captain at best. Too young but he also doesn't have the personality to be a great leader. An on field great player doesn't automatically make for a great captain.