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Australia and Brumbies back row David Pocock has taken to Instagram after the news was announced yesterday that he will not renew his contract at the end of the season, bringing an end to his Super Rugby career.
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The 31-year-old is out for the rest of the season with a calf injury, meaning his career for the Brumbies has already ended prematurely. He said on Instagram “[t]his isn’t the way I wanted to end my time with the Brumbies. The club, the supporters, and the whole Canberra community have been so good to [me] and I over the last seven years.”
However, the flanker’s priority will be regaining his fitness for the World Cup in September, and he said he is “working on getting my body right in the hope I am lucky enough to be selected to represent the Wallabies again.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBeVq-lJi3/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet
While he thanked the Brumbies for the past seven years, he also thanked the Western Force in another post, with whom he started his rugby career as a 17-year-old, calling it a “dream come true”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByBjFKkl7d0/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet
With 76 caps for the Wallabies, a move abroad by Pocock would not rule him out of selection for his country due to the Giteau’s law, where he has over 60 caps. However, some may fear that this will be the end of his international career after the World Cup as well. It is clear from his post that he still wants to be selected, but that may be his swansong.
This calf complaint is just the latest in a catalogue of injuries that have plagued Pocock throughout his career. But Michael Cheika, as well as all Australian fans, will be desperate for the loose forward to return, as he is arguably the Wallabies’ best player, particularly in the absence of Israel Folau.
Pocock’s expertise at the breakdown is virtually unrivaled, as he was always a great adversary to All Blacks legend Richie McCaw. The impact he has on a game is hugely significant, and Australia’s chances at the World Cup may hinge on his fitness. However, in a career that has seen him have two knee constructions in two seasons, it is understandable that he may feel like he has little left to give.
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The rigours of Super Rugby may be too much for him to consistently play, and a lucrative deal abroad may make more sense, but being a fierce competitor, he is evidently disappointed his Brumbies career has ended as it has.
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
51 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
51 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
51 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
51 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
51 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
51 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
51 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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