Champion Wallabies backrower David Pocock is saddened by the culling of the Super Rugby franchise that gave him his big break but hopes WA will continue supplying players at that level.
Pocock recently returned from his 2017 sabbatical during which he visited his birth county of Zimbabwe and played in Japan under his first Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
The Brumbies star hopes to resume running in the next couple of weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
“Hopefully I won’t miss too much of Super (Rugby), the goal is to get back as soon as I can,” Pocock said on Friday.
Pocock played his first seven seasons and 69 Super Rugby games with the Western Force from 2006-12.
He said he’d spoken to quite a few of his former Force colleagues, who had to look elsewhere to play, after the franchise was cut from Super Rugby following last season.
“Obviously as someone who played with the Force, (it was) really tough news to take,” Pocock said.
“As a player, that’s not in your hands. People are making decisions based on information that we’re not across and you’ve got to move on.
“A lot of (former Force) guys are making their new home in Melbourne, (the Brumbies) have got a couple of great signings (from the Force.).”
“Hopefully the pathways in WA are still alive and we still see more players stepping into Super Rugby.”
Pocook was looking forward to again playing with Brumbies and Wallabies playmaker Christian Lealiifano, who has recovered from leukaemia.
“There’s often not too many fairytale endings in life, we’re both back at the Brumbies something we talked about a lot,” Pocock said.
He enjoyed his sabbatical but said the concept might not suit every player.
In Japan, Pocock continued to add aspects to his game under the tutelage of old mentor and New Zealander Deans.
“The way they played I was a little bit wider in attack, in an outside channel which I enjoyed,” Pocock said.
Malo
Guest
Yeah Fion and Twas you convinced me to change my mind with your logical arguments ,we should triple the wages of our top 5 players and while we are at it give q.c a pay rise as well. The aru are flush with cash
Ex force fan
Guest
Let them go.. just develop a wide enough pathway for others to take their place. Depth is the answer to excessive players demands not giving in to it.
rebel
Roar Guru
Agree, lies and slander should never be published unquestioned
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Yes, TWAS & Fionn. It's necessary to get some facts out for all the readers of Thr Roar. And logical arguments. I'm sure there are heaps of readers who don't comment, but who recoil when they see some of the unsupported opinions expressed here.
piru
Roar Rookie
Whereabouts would you slot Folau in for that matter? A fullback who can't kick doesn't get a black jersey
JP
Guest
When is NSW going to produce a great Wallaby Flyhalf ? None since Mark Ella retired 1985.
JP
Guest
Hooper?..Now i know you have no idea.The AB`S have dismantled Hooper for 4 years Bro..hahahahaha
Train Without A Station
Guest
Fionn, it’s as tsuru says. Jock, Bakkies, etc are not going to change their mind. It’s not them I’m writing the comments for though. It’s to get the facts out in the public domain, rather than allowing lies and slander to be published unquestioned.
JPR
Roar Rookie
The Force really supported you during your time in the West. We understand you statement but you are at least 6 months out of date. It would of been more productive if you could of raised enough emotion to make RUPU strike for their fellow players instead of sticking their heads in the sand .
Fionn
Guest
Cheers, Tsuru. You're probably right and there is no point in even engaging.
Party Pooper
Guest
Exactly! The bludger wanted to go back and live under the palm trees in Rhodesia for a year and the fools in ARU let him. Remember even when he was playing we never won the World Cup or Bledisloe.
Train Without A Station
Guest
That wasn’t the point... You were laying blame at the feet of the ARU for something which isn’t their job. It’s the job of the state unions. How do you expect something to be fixed by rallying against authority when people don’t even rally against the right people?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
TWAS & Fionn, as much as I appreciate your efforts here, you surely must realize the futility of trying to use facts and logic to convince people whose comments are based purely on pseudo facts and personal belief. This is like trying to convince homeopathic believers that there is nothing in their "cures." Or arguing with any pseudo science believer. Facts and logic don't change their beliefs, since their beliefs aren't based on facts and logic. On the other hand you are getting your facts and logic viewable for the rest of us.
Tim Rogers
Roar Rookie
Doesn’t alter the point that Rugby has taken a backward step in promoting itself to youngsters all over the country does it.
BeastieBoy
Guest
David, feel free to donate your salary for doing nothing to the cause. We still have the same lunatics running the asylum.
Train Without A Station
Guest
Basketball’s international game isn’t significant compared to the club game. Many of the best club players opt not to play. Soccer in Australia is basically funded by the Socceroos and A-League down.
Malo
Guest
Keep the status quo and expect the same results. AFLWomens is marketed better and is now has a bigger following than men’s rugby at games. The aru Do bugger all.
Train Without A Station
Guest
They would be higher. But there would be minimal tangible benefit. They’d likely be triple as FTA has triple the reach. But 75k would see broadcasters or FTA not even bother to broadcast again.
Realist
Guest
The Force came 2nd LAST in Pocock’s final season The ‘bad period’ was from 2006 - 2017 It’s fine to be upset now but you won’t be shedding too many tears when the Rebels play the kind of rugby the Farce could only dream of. Unless you’re a former player or WA resident - I don’t think anyone will miss this failed franchise
chappy
Guest
All the above ratings were from Foxtel which you had to pay to see.