POCOCK AMONG 2010 RUGBYWA ACADEMY INTAKE
Steven Pocock has joined older brother David in WA after being unveiled in RugbyWA’s 2010 Academy squad.
The 17-year-old is among the 11 players named in Academy coach Geoff Townsend’s squad, which also includes Australian Schoolboys flyhalf Kyle Godwin and Australian Sevens squad member Zack Holmes.
The solidly built Pocock is a backrower like his brother, and knocked back an offer from the Queensland Reds Academy before joining the WA set-up.
Hampered by a back complaint during 2009, the 184cm, 91kg Pocock will train with the senior squad in the period before the trial phase begins in mid-January.
David, who is currently holidaying overseas, also joined the club as a 17-year-old (in 2005), and has gone on to be capped 15 times for the Wallabies and has appeared in 38 matches for the Emirates Western Force.
“It’s a huge opportunity that I have been offered, and the Emirates Western Force have a great reputation with young players,” Pocock said
“It’s my aspiration to play professional rugby as soon I am ready. Seeing how hard Dave works gives me a good idea of what it will take to achieve this.”
RugbyWA Academy coach Geoff Townsend said the 2010 group was full of potential.
“This crop of youngsters is very exciting, and they will be working hard to prove they can make it to the next level,” Townsend said
“With guys like Kyle and Zack already in representative programmes, it gives the group proof that the pathway to higher honours runs through WA.
“It will mean an increase in intensity of training for some of the players, and we are always interested to see how young men cope with hard work and adversity.”
2010 Academy Squad is as follows (by name & club):
Academy Level 2
* Steven Pocock
* Cruze Ah-Nau (Kalamunda)
* Siliva Siliva (Associates)
* Zack Holmes (Associates)
* Kyle Godwin (Associates)
* Heremaia Te Aute (Wests Subiaco)
Academy Level 3
* Benjamin Hales (Associates)
* Oliver Hoskins (Nedlands)
* John McCabe (Nedlands)
* Bruce Smith-Wright (UWA)
* Conrad Gillingham (Kalamunda)
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