Pocock possible Wallabies tourist
Go Bam-Bam, you legend!!!
By the way he "dismissed" Gene Fairbanks in the Stapleton Brumbies try I think he would give it a great shot!
Pocock possible Wallabies tourist
By Peter Jenkins, Daily Telegraph
September 21, 2006
THE teenage sensation banned from Super 14 earlier this season because he was considered too young is under discussion as a potential bolter for Australia's tour to Europe.
David Pocock, who turned 18 in April, is one of several contenders in the frame to make the trip as an openside flanker behind established Test stars Phil Waugh and George Smith.
Queensland's David Croft, Brumbies forward Julian Salvi and boom Western Force youngster Pocock are battling for the single back-row vacancy.
If the national selection panel led by coach John Connolly takes a view to the future and plumps for youth, Pocock could cap an extraordinary year which opened with him at the centre of a storm during the Super 14 trials.
A decision by the Force to use him as a 17-year-old replacement against South African side the Cheetahs triggered a rebuke from the Australian Rugby Union who claimed they were bound by international age restrictions prohibiting boys from playing against men.
But the controversy also sparked the ARU into fast-tracking a relaxation of the regulations and Pocock debuted at full provincial level during Force's tour to South Africa.
The standout from last year's Australian Schoolboys overseas tour will play openside flanker against New South Wales in Bathurst on Saturday in the final round of the Australian Provincial Championship.
The Waratahs side, named yesterday, includes Wallaby props Benn Robinson and Al Baxter and No.8 David Lyons.
Born in Zimbabwe and only moving to Australia four years ago, Pocock last night earned lavish praise from Force coach John Mitchell.
The former New Zealand coach who launched the Test careers of Richie McCaw, Joe Rokocoko and Dan Carter when the trio were just 20, claimed Pocock was destined to become an international.
"He's very strong in the tackle contest and he's got very good rugby intelligence," said Mitchell.
"He's physically very well built and he's got a very professional work ethic."
But Mitchell admitted he would be cautious about blooding Pocock on the Wallabies' seven-match tour which includes four Tests and three midweek games.
"I think it might be too early in his development," Mitchell added.
"He's certainly got the potential to go to that level and I think he will.
"But he's already taken huge strides in the last year. To take another stride in the same year I think could be detrimental to his development.
"I wouldn't want to deny him an opportunity but I'm just being a realist and sensible about where he is at this stage of his career."
