Bash Pocock at your peril: Wallabies
Bash Pocock at your peril: Wallabies
By David Beniuk, AAP August 25, 2010, 4:41 pm
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The Wallabies have warned any attempt by the Springboks to "bash" star flanker David Pocock out of Saturday's (0100 Sunday AEST) Tri-Nations Test is doomed to fail.
South African coach Peter de Villiers has said he has a plan for Australia's No.1 weapon at the breakdown for the Pretoria clash and the Wallabies have little doubt about what it will involve.
"Same as what the New Zealanders did and just try and bash him," assistant coach Jim Williams said on Tuesday at the side's Cape Town base.
In fact, same as every side has tried to do with limited success since Pocock came of age as George Smith's successor at openside flanker on last year's spring tour.
"As far back as Ireland last year on tour, every team has tried to focus on him," Williams said.
"It just shows how well he's going in such a short space of time and the impact that he does have around the breakdown.
"While they might have an issue with David, you've just technically got to be very good, making sure that you pick a target and make sure you move it, whether that's David or not.
"If they have a plan, well and good. But, from our point of view, it's just keep moving forward and be as aggressive as we can around the contact area."
The 22-year-old Western Force No.7 further enhanced his growing reputation with a masterful display in last month's impressive 30-13 win over the Boks in Brisbane but the Wallabies know the load will need to be shared at Loftus Versfeld.
"I'd like the same things to happen, yeah," Williams said.
"I certainly don't think he'll get that latitude this time.
"It's going to be all eight forwards in that area. If there's an opportunity that presents itself, it's just not David.
"It's the ability of the modern forward these days to get over the ball and attack it.
"While he's very good at it, it's just not David's responsibility."
Former Test back-rower Williams was impressed with the improved performance of the South African pack in last weekend's heartbreaking loss to the All Blacks in Soweto.
"In the first three games (of the Tri-Nations), they were probably a little bit off in that area," he said.
"They came out firing and kept that intensity up. Their work at the breakdown was excellent, their ability to turn over ball as well.
"The way they came out at the start and just kept that intensity going was the standout thing for me."
Can't do much about bashing: Pocock
Can't do much about bashing: Pocock
By David Beniuk, AAP August 26, 2010, 4:18 am
Wallabies star David Pocock says there s not much he can do about being targeted by South Africa.
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Wallabies star David Pocock says there's not much he can do about being targeted for an all-out physical assault by South Africa.
Fast building a reputation as one of the world's best openside flankers, Pocock has attracted the attention of Springboks coach Peter de Villiers as he formulates a physical game-plan for the Loftus Versfeld clash.
"It happens and you can't do too much about it," Pocock said.
"It's a case of on the field try and play your normal game and, if you have to, trying to work around it.
"We're expecting a very fired up and passionate Springboks.
"You've just got to be a bit sharper and be looking up for the big fellas trying to bash you around the ruck, so it's good fun." The Australians are wary of the return of big-kicking Boks fullback Francois Steyn, dismissing suggestions from the coach of his French club that he is not ready for Test match rugby.
Pierre Berbizier cast doubt on Steyn's readiness for his first Test since May after Top 14 club Racing Metro reluctantly released the star, claiming he needed treatment on an injury.
"He's a solid player, good under the high ball, has got a very big kick and I think, regardless of his form in France, when he pulls on that Springbok jersey he'll be ready for it," Pocock said.
"We're expecting him to be at his best." Australia are looking for their first win at Loftus Versfeld and first on the South African highveld since 1963.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will name his team for the match later on Thursday, with star five-eighth Quade Cooper available again after a two-match suspension.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ashing-pocock/
Wallabies lift on back of Pocock
Wallabies lift on back of Pocock
* Wayne Smith
* From: The Australian
* August 26, 2010 12:00AM
WALLABIES winger Drew Mitchell has warned the Springboks they will only cause flanker David Pocock to lift his game further if they try to target him in Saturday's Tri-Nations Test in Pretoria.
Pocock was a principal contributor to Australia's comprehensive 30-13 victory over South Africa in Brisbane last month, claiming the bulk of the 11 ruck turnovers the Wallabies won.
Small wonder Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has warned he has "some plans" prepared to ensure Pocock does not prove so annoying at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
But Mitchell, who played alongside Pocock for three years at Western Force, is adamant any "plans" the Springboks direct against the powerhouse openside flanker will blow up in their faces.
"You can only imagine what that means," said Mitchell, referring to de Villiers' warning. "But I don't think David will factor any of that into his preparations. To stop him, you'd have to kill him. That's the kind of guy David is."
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Related Coverage
* Pocock prepared for bashing Fox Sports, 5 hours ago
* Boks plan for Pocock Herald Sun, 13 hours ago
* Steyn not ready, says club coach Daily Telegraph, 15 hours ago
* Springboks recall banished star Fox Sports, 17 hours ago
* Eyes on the ball, Quade Courier Mail, 1 day ago
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De Villiers has virtually resurrected Jake White's World Cup-winning side of 2007 in a desperate attempt to secure South Africa's first win of the Tri-Nations series on Saturday.
Every member of the Springbok starting XV used in the last World Cup final has been given a role following the recall of Francois Steyn, the inside centre three years ago, to the side at fullback in place of the unlucky Gio Aplon.
The only 2007 run-on players not being used are fullback Percy Montgomery and prop Os du Randt, who have retired, suspended lock Bakkies Botha and injured halfback and general, Fourie du Preez.
Admittedly, prop CJ van der Linde, number eight Danie Rossouw and five-eighth Butch James, all key contributors to South Africa's 15-6 victory over England in the tryless final, now find themselves on the bench but, conversely, tighthead Jannie du Plessis, a reserve in 2007, has been elevated to the run-on side.
De Villiers has had a love-hate relationship with Steyn and it is doubly curious he has
selected him.
In the first instance, it cruelly involves dumping Aplon not just from the fullback position but from the entire Test squad after he played heroically against the All Blacks last weekend.
Secondly, the Wallabies only kicked the ball 11 times during their 30-13 victory over the Boks in Brisbane and the presence at fullback of Steyn, who possesses the biggest boot in world rugby since Roger Gould's retirement, is hardly likely to tempt them to change their ball-in-hand game plan.
"Well, we know that any sort of aimless kicking will be punished by Francois, especially on the highveld where the ball travels much further," Mitchell said.
"Francois gives them a bit more certainty, I guess. Aplon provides the X-factor but Francois knows what he's good at -- and so do we."
Of course, whether the Wallabies are able to sustain their high-tempo game for the full 80 minutes at altitude remains to be seen.
Still, the Boks have brushfires of their own to put out across their entire game going into the Test. Even the most solid plank in their game, the lineout, suddenly seems riddled with termites. Last week, the South Africans won only 71 per cent of their own lineout ball, trailing well behind the All Blacks who secured 88 per cent of their own throws.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225910114034
