David Pocock is expected to make his debut against the Sharks on Friday

Pocock to Make Super 14 Debut

David Pocock is expected to make his debut against the Sharks on Friday

Wednesday, May 10, 2006
RugbyWA


Australian U19 openside flanker David Pocock is expected to make his Tooheys New Super 14 debut when the Emirates Western Force play the Sharks in Durban on Friday.

The 18 year old was one of Australia's best performers in the recent U19 World Cup in Dubai and is expected to replace Matt Hodgson in the run-on side.

Pocock, who injured an ankle in the World Cup final, was running freely at training sessions in Port Elizabeth, and will have a final test at the Captain's Run in Durban before his position in the team is confirmed.

His standby, Hodgson, has had a huge workload during the course of the season and is expected to be rested.

Also coming into the starting 15 for the last Super 14 game of the season is Junior Pelesasa, who will play at outside centre.

The inclusion of Pelesasa, who set up Scott Staniforth's match winning try against the Cheetahs last week, will see Josh Graham move to the right wing and Haig Sare onto the bench.

The clash against the in-form Sharks, which still have a chance of making the semi-finals, is expected to be John Welborn's last in Super Rugby.

ABSA Stadium in Durban is a fitting location for the 35 year old lock to wind-up his Super career, having played a season for Natal in 1997.

Emirates Western Force head coach John Mitchell said Pocock would bring energy and enthusiasm to the side, and give the 100kg back rower a good taste of what lies ahead.

"He is an impressive young man, with a great work ethic and attitude to football, and he deserves the opportunity to play," he said.

"Dave is the kind of guy who will never die wondering and will give it his best."

Mitchell said the team was buoyed by its first victory but knew it was capable of a much better performance than last week's effort against the Cheetahs.

"This week is about getting the right performance against the Sharks. The boys got the right result last week but weren't happy with the performance, which is a good sign," he said.

"The Sharks are perhaps the most physical and abrasive of all the South African teams and their inside back combination, including Percy Montgomery, is dangerous if you allow them to keep the ball alive."

Mitchell said the Emirates Western Force was very keen to conclude the season on a winning note, and be the first Super 14 team to finish a three-week tour of South Africa undefeated.

"This is an important game for us. We will be treating the game like a final, bearing in mind that the Sharks are still mathematically a chance to make the semis, which will make ABSA Stadium a cauldron of intensity."

"We've had to do things the hard way this year, and we don't fear a tough contest and want to finish on the right note going into the winter."

The squad is: 1. Angus Scott 2. Tai McIsaac 3. David Fitter 4. John Welborn 5. Nathan Sharpe (c) 6. David Pusey 7. David Pocock/Matt Hodgson 8. Scott Fava 9. Matt Henjak 10. Brock James 11. Digby Ioane 12. Scott Staniforth 13. Junior Pelesasa 14. Josh Graham 15. Cameron Shepherd 16. Luke Holmes 17. David Te Moana 18. Pat O'Connor 19. Luke Doherty 20. Chris O'Young 21. Lachlan MacKay 22. Haig Sare

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Gareth Hardy (ribs).

This is encouraging talk from a coach who doesn't usually say a lot pre-game. My thoughts before the season started were that if we could win 3 matches, which I thought would probably be at home, we'd be doing fantastic. After the early setbacks the home wins didn't come but a draw with Canterbury and and another in ZA plus a win they've met my expectations. A win against the Sharks will be very thick icing on the cake. I reckon their truly up for it.

On table points differential, for Sharks to get in finals they'd have to get all 5 points plus increase their ( 48 ) F/A by + 40 whilst Brumbies get no match points and ( 87 )F/A - 40 points. Its mathematical, academic and not going to happen. If it was +20/-20 points maybe. Because the Brumbies game is on Friday night, the Sharks will know what they have to get before game starts. But, I don't believe Sharks will be 'playing for their lives'. More like - its the last game before Currie Cup starts! :confused:

This gives Force more a chance to cause a surprise, especially if they are as complacent as the Cheetahs last week. :)

Blooding Pocock is a good idea, not that Hodgsons done anything to deserve benching.
With the backline changes needed next year to accommodate Giteau & DMitchell, good move to give Pelesasa more game time and try Graham on wing. 8)
QUOTE
"Mitchell said the Emirates Western Force was very keen to conclude the season on a winning note, and be the first Super 14 team to finish a three-week tour of South Africa undefeated." Wouldn't that be something ! Right up there with last weeks only Oz team to win!
GO FORCE !!!! Time for Shark steaks ! :P

Sparko: "Pocock, who injured an ankle in U19 World Cup Final triumph, was running freely at training sessions in Port Elizabeth this week and will have a final test at the captain's run in Durban before his position in the team is confirmed.

Lets hope"

Yeah it was a strange one Sparko the ankle, just watched a replay of the Final last night and Pocock ran the full match out and didn't appear to be limping at all.
Maybe it happened post match :D