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BY: BRET HARRIS From: The Australian December 07, 2011 12:00AM
WESTERN Force coach Richard Graham is considering promoting Wallabies openside flanker David Pocock to the captaincy next year.
Pocock is being groomed as a future Wallabies captain and led Australia in its 60-11 win against the Barbarians at Twickenham two weeks ago, while regular skipper James Horwill was rested on the reserves bench.
Veteran Wallabies secondrower and Force captain Nathan Sharpe considered playing overseas after the recent World Cup in New Zealand, but changed his mind and re-signed with the ARU and the Force until the end of next year.
The Force's captain since its foundation season in 2006, Sharpe is highly respected in Perth and he would be involved in any discussions about the future leadership of the team.
With Pocock out of contract at the end of next year, the captaincy could also be a carrot to keep him at the Force.
"You are always considering the evolution of the squad," Graham said yesterday.
"If I make a change, I'll make it in consultation with Nathan Sharpe when he returns from Europe. It's a conversation you need to have privately."
Graham said he was looking forward to next year, which was supposed to be his first as the Force's head coach.
Originally contracted to start next year, Graham's appointment was brought forward 12 months when John Mitchell quit to coach the Lions in South Africa.
Graham guided the Force to 12th position on the Super Rugby table with a 5-9-2 win-loss-draw record, but it was far more competitive than its results indicated.
"Fortunately, I had a season with the Force (as an assistant coach) and I knew the group well," Graham said.
"I had some time to prepare for 2011, but with a full season under my belt I feel better prepared. I was really happy with 2011 and I'm confident we have made the necessary changes to be better in 2012. We have created a competitive environment at training and recruited with a clear purpose in mind. This year you know what to expect."
One of Graham's major challenges will be coping with the loss of star Wallabies utility back James O'Connor, who has switched to the Melbourne Rebels.
But Graham is confident O'Connor's departure will be adequately covered by the recruitment of Fijian World Cup winger and former French Top 14 player of the year Napolioni Nalaga.
"I don't think there is any doubt about James O'Connor's ability as an individual," Graham said. "But history shows that when someone leaves someone else puts up their hand to fill the void.
"The recruitment of Napolioni Nalaga will go a long way to filling that void."
Graham was also pleased to see another Force recruit, Salesi Ma'afu, finish the year as the Wallabies' starting tighthead prop in the Test win against Wales in Cardiff last Sunday.
"Salesi was one guy we recruited with absolute confidence in what he was capable of," Graham said. "He'll add a hardness and toughness to our forward pack and he is a genuine tighthead . . . they don't fall off trees."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1226215564473