Former Wallaby captain David Pocock’s long road back toward the 2015 Rugby World Cup starts against his former team on Friday.
Pocock, 26, makes his return from his second knee reconstruction when his Brumbies meet the Western Force in Perth in the opening Super Rugby practice match for both teams.
The muscular openside flanker has played just five Super Rugby games in the past two years due to his knee injuries.
He was forced to sit and watch as Michael Hooper developed in his Wallabies No.7 role so successfully that he is now the national captain.
But few doubt the strong-minded Pocock can return to the top level if his body holds up, having rivalled All Backs skipper Richie McCaw as the world’s best openside flanker at the last World Cup.
Fellow Wallabies Matt Toomua, Nic White, Christian Lealiifano, Joseph Tomane and Henry Speight will also be in action against the Western Force as coach Stephen Larkham looks to kick off their 2015 campaign in style.
“We are going to Perth to win this match and to put the wheels in motion to get our season underway,” said Larkham.
“Last year the Force were the competition’s big improvers and they will be pretty eager to build on that.
“Trials are a good chance for us to assess what we need to work on heading into the season and we see the Force as a quality opponent to have a crack at.”
The Force started slowly in 2014 but went on a stirring run to only narrowly miss an inaugural Super Rugby finals appearance.
They are now looking to build on that further in 2015 and recruits Ross Haylett-Petty, Steve Mafi and Mitchell Scott will play on Friday as will Wallabies pair Kyle Godwin and Tetera Faulkner.
“The Brumbies have a number of strengths that will allow us to test areas of our game we’re looking to improve,” said Force coach Michael Foley.
“But more importantly the opportunity to play a Super Rugby finalist in a trial match provides us the type of challenge that was missing last year.
“Every player has made a significant effort to improve team standards which is an important commitment as we look to back up the improvements made last season.”
Wardad
Guest
Yeah I ;like watching the Honey Badger ,adds a bit of fun and character to proceedings .
Wardad
Guest
Sounds a bit cocky to me......
Wardad
Guest
Moore is a shoe-in if fit ,TPN is a reasonable back-up though .
Wardad
Guest
Sad little comment ,are you sure your following the right sport ?
G_beard
Guest
Alcock gave Pocock a lesson.
RobC
Roar Guru
Well done Force. And well done Poey. For keeping in injure free.
Hertryk
Guest
A great start to the season for our Boys.. :) Well Done Force..trial or no.. a darned good start.. next Tana Umaga's team.. maybe more will get to see it being a Saturday game..
grapeseed
Guest
Ok, stay calm grapeseed, stay calm... NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Breathe...breathe...breathe... Ok, I'm ok now, I j.. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Ok. Ahem. I'm calm. JOC to 5/8.
grapeseed
Guest
WHAT!!!!???!!!!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah I saw the Brumbies lost but the match report wasn't specific about how Pocock played. Only that he scored a try. In other news I also saw that QC is out for 12 weeks after fracturing his collarbone at Reds training. Shocking.
Marty
Guest
Actually he looked very stocky and slow against the Force this afternoon. Brumbies copped a hammering btw. Poey should be trying out for the front row with his build.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Pocock is one of the best players in the world when on form. The Wallabies are better with him in the team! Ask any other international opposition Test players. If I was coach he'd be one the first names on my team sheet, along with Stephen Moore, Adam Ashley Cooper and the "out of favour" Will Genia. Hooper is good too. The Ausiie pack will need some extra grunt in the locks if they want to accommodate both Pocock and Hooper, because Hooper dos t really hit/ clear out many rucks.
abdul
Guest
Of course it was. Hahahahahhahahahhahhaha. Great comedy Bothered.
Not Bothered
Guest
The 2nd text was from a QLDer.
Not Bothered
Guest
AAC is a proven world class winger. Speight has been mixed accross a couple of tests.
Not Bothered
Guest
I think its debatable if they are better off with or without him but you think the whole teams chances rest on his inclusion. I doubt it does.
soapit
Guest
depends how you define quality. they arent best in the world contenders like in your picks but i think we have reasonable competition with at least pretty good options for about 2/3rds. i rate cummins higher than you, not gonna be best in the world but a very good contributor and finisher and has focused on the one position and knows how to do it (as opposed to AAC at wing). id have cummins over speight at the moment to be honest.
Chris Pike
Expert
Someone still had to write it! :)
Kane
Guest
Because that's the only way you're going to beat them is swinging arms?
Lano
Roar Guru
I'm going to the game and looking fwd to it. Sorry not to see the Honey Bader. He's in Japan for the first two rounds.