Rugby World Cup 2015: unlikely hero helps save David Pocock’s Wallabies career

DAVID Pocock’s road to the 2015 World Cup is one of personal triumph, but the Wallabies flanker credits one man for getting him there.

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DAVID Pocock, Australia’s most important player for the coming World Cup, has revealed how video replays of his gruelling rehabilitation training for successive knee reconstructions allowed him to fight back for his plane ticket to England.

Many believed Pocock’s career was finished when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament for a second time in two years in 2014, but the 27-year-old flanker has returned to his best form in 2015 to be included in Michael Cheika’s 31-man World Cup squad.

And he credits the video work of Brumbies’ athletic performance coach Ben Serpell, who managed to keep Pocock motivated in rehab by showing the backrower his progress via laptop footage.

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Pocock (R) with Brumbies rehab specialist Ben Serpell.

After being named for the World Cup, Pocock opened up to the Sunday Telegraph about his courageous fightback.

“You try to stay in the moment, not think too far ahead,” Pocock said.

“It was something I think I got a lot better at. There is a real temptation when you’ve got nine months of rehab in front of you to feel like you’re just not improving at all.

“One of the real helpful things was that Ben filmed a lot of the sessions. We’d do two weeks of the same stuff and I’d be feeling pretty down, feeling like I’m not going anywhere.

“And then you’d actually look at the videos and see how much progress you have made in those two weeks.

“You celebrate the little improvements.

“And the other thing was just a bit of perspective — I wasn’t dying. I still had a contract, I was still around the team a lot, and whilst as an athlete it’s incredibly frustrating when you do get injured, compared to many you’ve got it pretty sweet.”

Pocock in the gym in 2014.

Pocock’s value to Australia’s hopes is without question. When he started against the All Blacks this year, the Wallabies won and he was voted players’ player. When he came off the bench in the next game, Australia was hammered by the Kiwis.

Pocock’s extraordinary performance in the 2011 World Cup quarter-final, where he single-handedly carried Australia to victory over South Africa, is considered one of the finest individual displays in the tournament’s history.

His unparalleled ability to win turnover ball, and proven ability to play at No. 8, in tandem with openside flanker Michael Hooper, makes Pocock Australia’s most indispensable player.

It was clear to see when Pocock was injured against Ireland at the last World Cup and Australia suffered a shock defeat, pitting them in the nightmare playoff draw alongside the Springboks and All Blacks — who smashed them in the semi-final.

At times throughout 2013 and 2014, Pocock wondered if he’d get another chance at World Cup glory.

“When you have a big injury and surgery there is always going to be doubt, and that’s just part of it,” he said.

Pocock (R) with Wallabies legend Tim Horan after undergoing surgery on his knee.

“But I think as a player you back yourself to get back to your best, if your body allows it.

“I obviously had a heap of support from family, friends, the Brumbies, Ben Serpell, and I feel like I’m starting to get back into some form and I’m really enjoying it.

“It’s an old cliché, ‘Enjoy every minute in the jersey’, but it’s certainly true. Watching from the sidelines, you realise how much of a privilege it is to represent Australia and to represent all those people who’ve helped you out along the way.

“For myself, to got to the World Cup is a childhood dream, and I know for many kids in Zimbabwe, my cousins included, they’ll be watching and cheering us on so that’ll be cool.”

Now that he’s here, Pocock believes Australia is far better equipped to mount a winning campaign against the odds.

“The really pleasing thing, which is a huge difference going into this year is that there’s not really one position where there’s not a lot of competition,” Pocock said.

“That’s great for Australian rugby. As a player that’s where you want to be, knowing you have to be performing your best every training session, you have to be improving, and I’ve loved being a part of it for the last six weeks or so.

“It gives you an opportunity to go over there, but you’re not guaranteed anything. This is when the hard work has to continue and you’ve got to make the most of your opportunity.”

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2015: unlikely hero helps save David Pocock’s Wallabies career