Wallabies captain David Pocock Pocock wins second John Eales Medal eight years after his first
WALLABIES workhorse David Pocock has capped his inspired return to international rugby by claiming the John Eales Medal for the second time.
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WALLABIES workhorse David Pocock has capped his inspired return to international rugby by claiming the John Eales Medal for the second time.
Refreshed and showing the full benefits of giving his aching body a rest following a year’s sabbatical, Pocock reclaimed Australian Rugby’s highest individual award eight years after his previous win.
Incredibly, the 30-year-old loose forward missed almost half of the Tests in the 12-month voting period for the award but still finished streets ahead of his teammates.
“It’s incredibly special,” Pocock said on Friday night. “I’ve loved being back in the Wallabies jersey this year It’s an outstanding group, we haven’t got the results that we’re after but we’re working on it.
“My approach has always been to focus on the little things that you can control
“There was obviously some nerves and apprehension coming back after the break but I’m really grateful for the opportunity the Brumbies and the Wallabies gave me.”
Despite playing in just eight of Australia’s last 13 matches, Pocock polled 262 votes, almost twice as many as runner-up Lukhan Tui (139), for a runaway win at Friday night’s presentation dinner at Randwick Racecourse.
Pocock also won the award as the fan’s choice for the Wallabies player of the year, while prop Taniela Tui, the “Tongan Thor”, crowned his breakout season by winning the Rookie and Super Rugby player of the year awards.
Wallaroo rookie Emily Chancellor was named best women’s player of the year while Evania Pelite and Ben O’Donnell were selected as Australia’s top Sevens players.
Dual World Cup winner Phil Kearns was inducted into the
Wallabies Hall of Fame along with Eddie Bonis and Tim Gavin.
Pocock will be an automatic choice for the Hall of Fame when he eventually hangs up his boots but for now, he’s never been more needed by Australia than he is at the moment.
At a time when the Wallabies are desperate to turn things around after winning just five of their last 13 Tests, Pocock has been one of the few bright lights in a dire season.
Rugby Australia’s decision to allow him to take a year off while
still under contract was hotly debated at the time but if his form since is anything to go by, then it was time well spent.
He spent about half his year in Africa, indulging his passion for conservation and wildlife, as well as taking a short business course in Boston and playing some club rugby in Japan.
Pocock only made his return to the Wallabies in June for the Ireland series but started where he left off, dominating the breakdown with his high defensive workrate and strength.
Displaying no signs of weariness or rust, the muscle-packed Pocock immediately showed why he is the best in the business at winning turnovers when Australia’s forwards were struggling to retain possession in the set pieces.
That made him the No.1 target for opposing teams as he discovered when the All Blacks targeted him at the breakdown and he was forced to miss the first Test against South Africa because his neck was so sore from being repeatedly twisted and rolled.
While many of his burnout teammates were struggling with injuries and inconsistency, Pocock only missed a week and returned to captain the side in the absence of Michael Hooper and continued to go from strength to strength.
JOHN EALES MEDAL WINNERS
2018 - David Pocock
2017 - Israel Folau
2016 - Michael Hooper
2015 - Israel Folau
2014 - Israel Folau
2013 - Michael Hooper
2012 - Nathan Sharpe
2011 - Kurtley Beale
2010 - David Pocock
2009 - Matt Giteau
2008 - George Smith
2007 - Nathan Sharpe
2006 - Chris Latham
2005 - Jeremy Paul
2004 - David Lyons
2003 - Phil Waugh
2002 - George Smith
RUGBY AUSTRALIA AWARDS 2018 WINNERS
HSBC Volunteer of the Year: Ian Frame (Knox Rugby Club)
HSBC Volunteer of the Year: Tilly Vlok (Box Hill Rugby Club)
Roger Vanderfield TNT Referee of the Year: Angus Gardner
Nick Farr-Jones Spirit of Rugby Award: Scott Fardy
Joe French Award: Ron Graham
Geoff ‘Bunter’ Shaw Community Coach of the Year Award: Matthew Chapman (Miami State High)
Under 20s Player of the Year: Fraser McReight (Queensland)
Rugby Australia Rookie of the Year: Taniela Tupou (Qantas Wallabies)
Rugby Australia Try of the Year: Taqele Naiyaravoro v Rebels (Round 5 – Super Rugby)
Buildcorp Super W Player of the Year: Shanice Parker (NSW Women)
Vodafone Super Rugby Player of the Year: Taniela Tupou (Queensland Reds)
Australia’s Choice – Qantas Wallaby of the Year: David Pocock
Buildcorp Women’s XV Player of the Year: Emily Chancellor
The Shawn MacKay Award – Men’s Sevens Player of the Year: Ben O’Donnell
The Shawn MacKay Award – Women’s Sevens Player of the Year: Evania Pelite
John Eales Medal: David Pocock