A rejuvenated David Pocock helped the Brumbies snap a two-game losing streak with a first-half hat-trick in Friday night’s 31-18 Super Rugby win over the Highlanders.
Pocock scored three tries within 35 minutes on the back of his side’s rolling maul weapon at Canberra’s GIO Stadium, much to the delight of a roaring 10,138 fans.
It was a timely performance by the openside flanker, whose spot in the Wallabies’ World Cup squad was thrown up in the air following this week’s decision by the ARU to change its eligibility policy.
The new rules mean overseas-based stars, who’ve played 60-plus Tests and seven seasons of professional rugby in Australia, would be open for selection – opening the door for a potential national recall to great George Smith.
But Pocock’s classy display on Friday would make it hard for Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to bump him in favour of Smith and skipper Michael Hooper.
Boosted by the return of big names Tevita Kuridrani and Jesse Mogg, the Brumbies took less than five minutes to get on the board – pouncing on a dropped ball to score against the run of play via Henry Speight.
A successful conversion was followed by more than a point a minute to the home side in the opening quarter.
After slotting a simple penalty, the Brumbies’ mighty maul made light work of the Highlanders’ defence – Pocock rolling over for his first try since joining the franchise in 2013.
Two successive penalties to the Highlanders narrowed the gap to 17-6, but Pocock proved his worth again in a play almost identical to his first on the back of a classy lineout drive from five metres out.
He repeated it just minutes later on the opposite side of the field, adding his third from the back of the maul for a 31-6 lead at halftime.
The Highlanders clawed their way back after the break, tries to Shaun Treeby and Dan Pryor reducing the deficit to 31-18.
But it was too little too late for the visitors, who were without halfback Aaron Smith, centre Malakai Fekitoa and fullback Ben Smith, all rested as part of All Blacks player management ahead of the World Cup.
The Brumbies, who lost to the Blues and Melbourne Rebels the previous two weeks, remain on top of the Australian conference ahead of next week’s crunch match against defending champions the NSW Waratahs.
Utah
Guest
You've got Quading In telling you he speaks Sign, Joey Johns telling you his cousin does, two seperate links provided, and David Pocock's word, all confirming that it means applause. Yet you continue to argue your point. Wow.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Even in America jazz hands is not the standard . The standard is hand clapping as deaf people can see that and hearing people can hear it....
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Mauls are legalised obstruction ... not a fan of them from any side
me
Guest
Haha. Thats classic
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Thank you Dave but I fear you are old and therefore do not know much about things. In this modern world Leonardo de Caprio is much more influential - knowledgeable - than your Fabio. ;) PS. I read Future Shock a long, long time ago. Alvin Toffler predicted the process of change would eventually accelerate rapidly and he was right. Sadly they are almost there.
Dave
Guest
That 'one feminist seminar' happened to take place at the London School of Economics - the institution that has founded and promoted virtually every 'progressive' movement since the second world war (along with the continental counterpart in the Frankfurt school) . Founded by the Fabian society, its goal is the implementation of socialism via stealth - slowly, methodically, step by step - a march through the institutions as Gramsci envisioned. The university proudly displays its stained glass window with the iconic emblem of the movement - a wolf in sheep's clothing. Every time an influential member of society like a Pocock uses 'jazz hands', ties himself to a tree to stop 'global warming', or kicks up a fuss over 'homophobia', unknowingly or not, they are pushing a purely political agenda that has absolutely NOTHING to do with those issues. The agenda is political, its to destroy the foundations of western civilisation so that a socialist order can replace it. The movement depends on two things. Firstly having the population dumbed down so they cannot connect the dots. Secondly, a large body of sheep like yourself shouting down people who see through the BS like Mick and other posters consistently do.
Utah
Guest
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/a/applause.htm
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
But of course sensei. If the judge finds one "exceptionally guilty" does the court automatically double the sentence?
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Mick: Since you are so well read, perhaps you can read a list of argument fallacies. Right now you are exceptionally guilty of splitting hair fallacy or logic chopping. This article is about the Brumbies, the thread you are commenting on is regarding his post try celebration. Kudos to you for hijacking it and presenting an argument that actually centres around Pocock not being well read, and you've gone into extensive analysis to prove your point. You are off topic and to use your own words, "go back and read it again," please. As a sidepoint, millions of people speak American sign language, and most (aussie) "signers" actually speak at least 2-3 different "languages". I asked two of my cousins, one that is deaf and one that isn't about Pococks' celebration, and my deaf cousins reply was !!!!!! OMG he's signing applause. No mention of some post-feminist-crusade rubbish. I'm with Utah, case closed. So yes, Mick Gold Coast QLD & Stillmissit... You're both off topic, surprisingly out of depth and showing a hilarious amounts of prejudice to David Pocock. How about we start talking about footy?
MH01
Guest
Rumour has it the NSW coach has an excellent relationship with the wallabies coach.....
Glenn
Guest
ASL for applause. see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi8jk-lxTHg
Zero Gain
Guest
You 'looked it up' did you..
Joey Johns
Roar Guru
Jog on mate, you're still missing it. Go to the Rugby League tab and argue that Greg Inglis shouldn't do his Goana post-try celebration because it's promoting Aboriginal Culture, recognition, rights.... Every single post you have written on this article has been agenda-lead tripe. Whats more astounding is THIS POST HERE, even in the event that a fellow Roar'er provides a DIRECT response from David Pococks twitter account, putting to bed your hilariously inept argument that it was some lucid-pro-feminist-rights movement - you decide to postulate on hypothetical's. In light of this, what's even more laughable (bordering on disgraceful) , is your paradoxical last sentence, " I want David Pocock the rugby player not all the other stuff he is dragging around with him." You're the only one that's slinging and dragging mud around, and you're still missing it.
Zero Gain
Guest
Look at your morals...
Jameswm
Guest
Where do you buy your crystal ball?
Tinhat Hat
Guest
Why are you ranting about this? Your opinion is of no importance and has zero impact on Pocock, who will not change his behaviour because it upsets your little world. However, your continued reality denial does say alot about your character.
Glenn
Guest
Please site your reference for that being illegal?
Adsa
Guest
Thanks Mick, not a bad read, I am now fully informed on jazz hands, hopefully it won't take of in footy games.
Quading in...
Guest
Nope, it definitely IS a clapping gesture for the HI community worldwide. Let's not politicise it here.
BennO
Guest
Get over yourself mate.