David Pocock produces powerhouse performance as Brumbies belt Reds 47-3

BACKROW titan David Pocock produced 80 minutes of his old breakdown-shaping might to hint at the World Cup factor he can be by September.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 13: David Pocock of the Brumbies is tackled during the round one Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Reds at GIO Stadium on February 13, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Stefan Postles/Getty Images)

BACKROW titan David Pocock produced 80 minutes of his old breakdown-shaping might to hint at the World Cup factor he can be by September.

The former Wallaby flanker’s first Super Rugby match in 11 months was full of all the tackling, willing ball-carries and strength on the ball that turns an ACT Brumbies side from a very good one to a finals-hunting outfit.

Ever-humble, Pocock was almost embarrassed when awarded the man of the match award in the 47-3 smashing of the Reds in Canberra because so many of his teammates were five-star as well.

Brumbies flanker David Pocock fends off Reds rival Liam Gill.

Two knee reconstructions ruined his body for the 2013 and 2014 seasons but his strength of mind has never wavered as coach Steve Larkham enthused last night.

“He was one of those making the ball-carries finding space in a brick wall for us,” Larkham said of his captain.

“He’s got respect, he’s calm, had the calls down pat and he’s just that real threat around the ball who alters games.”

Pocock, the 45-Test forward, offered “thanks” with a grin as Larkham waxed on.

“I loved it. I don’t know how I got man of the match ... there was fantastic support from the team in this win which was a great way to celebrate Ben Alexander’s 100th Super Rugby match,” Pocock said.

“One of the biggest thing we’ll take out of it is keeping the Reds tryless.”

Reds coach Richard Graham was hurting and didn’t mince words.

“The Brumbies won 97-98 per cent of the collisions which is really disappointing. We just didn’t bring it tonight,” Graham said.

Graham said it was a poor team performance which made it unfair to judge flyhalf Karmichael Hunt from it.

“The game tonight was bigger than K. We had 15 Reds players under a lot of pressure, the discipline was poor and we just didn’t build on the good progress of our trials,” Graham said.

“You can’t just put a line through that because we played 80 minutes that way. We have to look hard at that performance and all the parts of it.”

Hooker Saia Faingaa was replaced in the first half after a head knock.

Reds skipper James Slipper said his biggest target at half-time was pressing for better discipline because Graham counted 12 penalties in the first half alone which sucked all momentum from the Reds.

Originally published as David Pocock produces powerhouse performance as Brumbies belt Reds 47-3