David Pocock played 60 minutes, scored a try and set up another in his return from a second knee reconstruction, but he wasn’t satisfied as the Brumbies lost a trial against the Western Force three weeks out from the Super Rugby season.
The Force beat the Brumbies 31-21 at Perth’s McGillivray Oval on Friday night, scoring five tries to three along the way, but the visitors were vastly improved in the second half once stars Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White and Christian Lealiifano hit the field.
Pocock scored the Brumbies’ first try shortly before halftime after a powerful rolling maul and following the Force scoring the game’s first 17 points.
In the second half, Pocock was instrumental in setting up a try for Lealiifano before the Force steadied with two more tries to clinch the game.
Former Wallabies skipper Pocock was playing his first match since undergoing a second knee reconstruction in the past two years since leaving the Force for the Brumbies.
He has been limited to just five Super Rugby games in the past couple of years due to his knee issues and hasn’t played for the Wallabies since undergoing a reconstruction in March.
“I spent plenty of hours on this field. It was good to make my comeback here. It has been a long 11 months so to come back to where it all started for me with Super Rugby and play a game here was great,” Pocock said.
“I was really excited to be back out there. Personally it’s been a long time out and it’s always good to get that first one out of the way. You don’t expect to be back to your best in your first hit out. I was just happy to get through it and be back out there playing with the team.”
Pocock might have been happy to get through the game, but wasn’t happy with the result and is looking forward to an improved showing from the Brumbies next weekend against the Highlanders in Wagga before the season opener against the Queensland Reds.
“There’s plenty in there to work on. We will go back to Canberra and work hard to get ready for the Highlanders and then we have a 14-day lead in to the Reds,” Pocock said.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It's not really. McCaw can run holes, set up play and is a strong line out target. This are qualities that Pocock does not possess.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Most 7s are not be solely a fetcher, it's true, but at least they have an impact at the breakdown. Hooper just gets bounced off.
grapeseed
Guest
Tim Horan took about 14 months to play again following his knee injury, but eventually came back stronger. Luckily Pocock has used the same surgeon as Horan.
44bottles
Roar Guru
The two statements are not mutually exclusive Tip
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Hooper isn't a 6 either, he's a mediocre 13 that got lost.
Squirrel
Guest
They will both be in the 15 if fit .
Jack Mallick
Guest
He doesn't rely on pace or agility, but imagine the sheer force that goes through his knees when he locks onto the ball carrier the way he does. Remember it's not just the ACL injuries in 2013/14 that he's struggled with, but a heap of knee ligament issues throughout 2011 and 2012 as well. His knees were crocked and hopefully he can get the durability back to where he needs it. I reckon he really needs to have a look at changing the style in which he used to get the turnovers and rely more on the type of timing that Smith and McCaw developed.
pjm
Roar Rookie
What is this, 2006? No open side is solely a fetcher these days and having one that is is a detriment to your team.
Tip
Guest
I don;t know who's career you were watching but Brian Habana couldn't get around Poey
Internal Fixation
Guest
Agreed. I think he can still be a very effective player but wouldn't expect him to be the dominating force he was in the 2011 RWC QF.
Luke Ringland
Guest
Measuring Pocock's impact at the breakdown in just number of pilfers is like measuring Richie McCaw likewise. And I mean the current incarnation of McCaw... My opinion, we need him back badly. Hooper is a 6. The only reason he isn't definitely, and unarguably a 6 is because of his height...if we can get a good line out jumper at 8 then we may see a Pocock 7, Hooper 6 combo.
grapeseed
Guest
I've missed him Scrumpoacher. Acolytes of ESPN Scrum stats would have you believe a player's worth can be distilled into a simple stat like pilfers or run metres. Thank god rugby isn't that simplistic. For me, I have missed: His strength and effectiveness in supporting his props in both attacking and defensive scrums His pressure and control at the maul on the opposition's lineout His effectiveness at the ruck in both attack and defence, controlling the pace of recycle and delivery His strength and support to his jumpers at restarts His willingness to get involved in the tight and compete at the tackle always - even when this doesn't lead to a turnover, it effects the pace and decision making of the opposition players His support to the ball carrier, particularly out wide when a winger (like Ioane in the old days) would get caught and he would facilitate quick recycle by going over the ball or conduct a devastating clean out His ability to anticipate the opposition attack and put pressure on the inside pass, forcing oppositions to the outside His safety under the high ball The professionalism and character with which he acts as a role model within a team His ability to keep an opposition player off the ground to either slow their ball down or force a turnover by turning the tackle contest into a maul His leadership such as when he steered the Wallabies through some close games in 2012. I love how he settled Mikey Harris in game 2 (?) I'm with EJ, depth is so important at the moment, particularly for this team and particularly in a World Cup year. I've missed Poey.
soapit
Guest
yes but pococks position doesnt rely on agility and pace (both off the mark and top end speed) as much as those guys so hopefully it shouldnt limit him too much or he can adapt.
Tip
Guest
Only NSW'men would want to go into a mach without a fetcher period.
Billy Bob
Guest
Jackerbean, it might be a mistake to assume everyone here is Aussie. Hori is not known here for his OZ love. He supports, I believe, a team from a nearby nation.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
For Australian rugby it's great to have everyone on deck, competing for spots. So he has definitely been missed. Really hoping the guy has a belter of a year.
Not Bothered
Guest
Not really. Theyve missed about 0.5-1 pilfer per game but Hooper offers other things that Poey doesnt so imo he hasnt been missed that much.
Timothy Schuster
Guest
Pocock never had any pace so hopefully he is not held back too much by the injuries. He can still be immovable over the ball.
jackerbean
Guest
Only Australians would take a good fetcher and suggest we retrain him as a hooker
Internal Fixation
Guest
Interestingly a study on AFL footballers showed whilst many can return to professional sport very few return to the same or better levels as pre-injury. I think that is evident with Will Genia and Quade also seems to have lost some quickness in his lateral movement. With the number of ACL injuries apparently increasing in Rugby it may be time to look at specific proprioceptive training at the professional level.