Rugby World Cup: David Pocock striving for greatness

DAVID Pocock says he is keen to follow the example of rugby legends and repeat the quarter-final heroics he displayed in the 2011 World Cup.

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HAVING overcome the dark times and doubts of two busted knees, David Pocock says he is keen to follow the example of rugby legends and repeat the quarter-final heroics he displayed in the 2011 World Cup.

Much has changed for Pocock since his virtuoso breakdown performance helped Australia beat South Africa in Wellington; he changed Super Rugby clubs, spent two years sidelined with injury and has even started playing no. 8 this year for the Wallabies.

But for all that has changed, Pocock said his goal at the 2015 World Cup was to show consistency on the field and make another big impact at the World Cup for the Wallabies.

“The hall mark of your Richie McCaws, George Smiths, Brian O’Driscolls, those sort of legends of the game is their consistency. They produced special performances over a long period of time,” Pocock said.

“It is certainly something you aspire to as a player, to take those opportunities and I guess over the years challenge yourself and change your skill set as the game changes to hopefully be in a position where yeah, this is the ultimate for rugby. This is the time to stand up and be counted.”

Pocock has been singled out by many pundits in England as a man crucial to the Wallabies’ hopes of success in the World Cup.

He is all-but certain to do it in a different position to 2011, after Michael Hooper emerged in Pocock’s absence and took ownership of the no. 7 jersey. Realising he had to get Pocock on the field as well, however, Michael Cheika moved him to no. 8 this winter and the combination sparkled in a win over New Zealand in Sydney.

Asked if he believed they’d be reunited against Fiji next week, Pocock said: “I am not too sure. We have had different combinations tried over the last couple of months, so we will wait and see.

“I feel pretty confident with it (no. 8). It is a challenging role but that’s what you want. I am really enjoying it.”

Pocock grew up dreaming of being a no. 8 at a World Cup, but as a kid in Zimbabwe who idolised Springbok Bobby Skinstad he always thought it would be in a South African jersey.

“I was a massive fan,” Pocock laughed.

“I remember watching in ‘99 and balling my eyes out after Bernie (Stephen Larkham) kicked that field goal (in the semi-final). I left the lounge and went straight to my room and lay in there crying.”

Bizarrely, Larkham — now his coach at Super Rugby and Test level — has ended up being the man who has helped Pocock evolve his game at the Brumbies sufficiently to make the move from no. 7 to no.8.

“I think my game has changed (since 2011). I feel like I have worked on a lot more attacking stuff at the Brumbies, and I have really enjoyed that,” he said.

“There’s probably no-one better to learn from than Bernie.”

Pocock says he is also stronger after dealing with the heartache of back-to-back knee reconstructions.

“I am probably better for the experience of the injuries and mentally getting through that,” he said.

“There are always doubts, that’s part of the whole injury thing. Particularly after the second one, I felt like I had put in so much work to get back and it felt really good. Then such an innocuous little step.

“After that there were a few doubts but I guess the way to deal with them is working hard. I guess I always thought if I could get my body right I was pretty confident I could play Super Rugby again.

“You certainly appreciate how much hard work has gone in and you want to make the most of the opportunity you have got.”

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Originally published as Rugby World Cup: David Pocock striving for greatness