It's young talent time, says David Pocock
It's young talent time, says David Pocock
DAVID Pocock believes the Wallabies can no longer use their youthfulness as an excuse and must start to win Test matches on a consistent basis.
Coach Robbie Deans has introduced a host of young talent since taking over the team in 2008 and the average age of this 30-man squad is 24.
The young Wallabies have shown great promise for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, but they have lacked consistency.
Pocock, who is in the vanguard of the new Wallabies generation, said it was time to turn potential into reality.
"This year it's time to stop talking about having a youthful team and just win games," said Pocock, who will start at openside flanker in the Test against Fiji in Canberra tomorrow night.
"That's a key for us. We can't keep hiding behind the youth thing. Patricio Noriega (Wallabies scrum coach) said it best when he said this week that it doesn't matter how old you are or how much experience you have, it's what you do when you run on to the field.
"The way the group is, the older guys are very willing to pass on knowledge and the young guys are very keen to learn. Hopefully, it won't take too long."
Pocock, 22, is a shining example of Deans' youth development policy.
After making his Super 14 debut with Western Force as an 18-year-old in 2006, Pocock surpassed two of Australia's greatest openside flankers - George Smith and Phil Waugh - over the next two years.
Smith is pursuing his career overseas, Waugh cannot make the Wallabies squad and Pocock is unchallenged in the gold No 7 jersey, an amazing achievement for a player who has only played 15 Tests.
Many observers will regard the Fiji Test as the beginning of the Pocock era, but the truth is it has already begun.
Pocock's breakthrough Test was the win against South Africa in Brisbane last year and he has now started in five of the past seven matches.
While Pocock is regarded primarily as a ball scavenger, he is really a complete backrower. One of the strongest players in the Wallabies squad, he can match it physically with the toughest back rows in the game but he is also skilful and mobile.
"You never take it for granted," Pocock said.
"Around selection time you get a bit nervous.
"I'm pretty excited about this year and the opportunity it presents.
"There are even more young guys coming through, I guess that's another challenge."
Pocock will form a new back-row combination with captain Rocky Elsom and number eight Richard Brown in the Fiji Test.
"I'm pretty confident we'll work well together," Pocock said.
"I played with The Rock on the spring tour and I played with Brownie all year (at the Force). I think we will work well together."
While Pocock's Super 14 season with the Force was disrupted by injury, he adapted well to the new interpretation of the law at the breakdown, which favours the attacking team.
"It is very good for the game," he said.
"Early on, everyone struggled with it. Players as much as referees struggled with it.
"There has been a whole bunch of new directives handed to the referees, reinforcing the laws.
"It will be interesting to see what changes. But I think it's good for the game. It's moving in the right direction."
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