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David Pocock hints at embarking on political career following international rugby retirement

By Online Editors
David Pocock walks off the pitch in Oita following Australia's loss to England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Before he turns climate crusader, retiring great David Pocock says he’d be only too happy to offer his opinion on the next Wallabies coach.

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While gutted to have bowed out of international rugby with Saturday’s 40-16 loss to England in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, Pocock is adamant he won’t be adding to his 83 Tests in the gold jumper, declaring his battered body has had enough after more than a decade at the top level.

“It certainly takes its toll. You pick up injuries along the way and some of them linger longer than others,” Pocock said.

“I feel like I’ve put a huge amount into rugby in Australia and I’ve got a lot back in return and really feel like it’s time to move on to other things and contribute in other ways.”

The avid conservationist and human rights campaigner isn’t ruling out a future in politics after formally hanging up the boots following the last season of his three-year stint with Wild Knights in Japan.

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“I’m interested in a bunch of things outside rugby. The political landscape at the moment is fairly uninspiring when it comes to climate change and those sorts of things, so we’ll wait and see,” he said.

“I’ll have a bit of time to think about it now, then I’ve got the six months in Japan. After that we’ll see. For me, issues around climate change, ecological crisis … there’s plenty to do. I’ll find something and get stuck in.”

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Pocock, who has a Bachelor of Ecological Agricultural Systems degree to his credit, admits he’ll miss “parts” of professional rugby.

“There’s something really special about being part of a group that’s so focused on something bigger than themselves, but I’ll be looking to find that elsewhere,” he said.

The champion flanker remains fiercely loyal to Michael Cheika, one of his key allies who signed off on his controversial year-long sabbatical from the game in 2017, and wasn’t impressed by former schoolmate and Wallabies teammate Quade Cooper’s parting shot at the coach.

“If he actually cared about Aus rugby he would have done it a while ago,” Cooper tweeted after Cheika quit his post on Sunday.

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“As players I think we always find it disappointing when people on the outside are taking pot shots,” Pocock said.

“There is a huge amount of work that’s gone in and ‘Cheik’ is the kind of guy who goes into bat for his players behind the scenes.

“He is always wanting guys to just focus on their rugby and you can’t please everyone. Everyone has different opinions.

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Honest words from Cooper on twitter. #rwc2019

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“I have a huge amount of time for Quade. We go way back. But people are going to say what they want, especially when you fall short like we did.

“There is no excuses. We prepared well. We just weren’t good enough on the night.”

Pocock wouldn’t be drawn on who Cheika’s successor should be, but said he’d offer input on the matter if asked.

“Mate as a player, you’re happy to. You’re always happy to give your thoughts and opinions,” he said.

“That’s just a little part of the bigger picture of the strategy going forward and how things are going to look in terms of the structure of coaching in Australia.”

AAP

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Trevor 58 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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