Pocock commands respect.

Deans a big fan of rival flankers

By Darren Walton, AAP August 4, 2010, 9:44 am

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says rugby fans should be salivating at the prospect of another head-to-head duel between outstanding Australian flanker David Pocock and New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.
The breakdown battle between two of the premier No.7s in world rugby once again looms as a potentially decisive in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rematch in Christchurch.
Deans on Wednesday admitted the Wallabies were extremely fortunate to have had Pocock on deck at Etihad Stadium last Saturday, suggesting Australia's 49-28 defeat could have been even worse without the workaholic back-rower.
"His game was immense. It's the only way you could describe it. Quite remarkable," Deans said.
"But he does that every week. He's got a great capacity to give and it's very evident that he deserves the respect that he gets not only from his peers but his opponents now because the awareness is out there."
Just 18 Tests into his international career, 22-year-old, Zimbabwe-born Pocock is already being likened to the great McCaw, the only player ever to have been crowned international player of the year twice.
And having nurtured 29-year-old McCaw from greenhorn forward to All Blacks captain during his successful days as Crusaders coach, Deans is more qualified than anyone to rate the two.
"Poey's probably a little bit more physically advanced at this age than Richie was," Deans said.
"Hence Richie was just held back a little bit so that he wouldn't be physically compromised.
"But both of them, once they entered, thrived."
Deans, though, refused to be drawn when asked if Pocock had the potential to develop into an even greater player than McCaw.
"I don't see any need to compare," he said. "He's a remarkable player. Just enjoy what he does.
"Because you've got one good player doesn't mean you can't have two."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...ival-flankers/

Robbie Deans excited at growing stature of David Pocock

* From: AAP
* August 04, 2010 12:27PM



FANS should be salivating at the thought of another head-to-head between Australia flanker David Pocock and All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw.

That is the opinion of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans as the breakdown battle between two of the premier No 7s in world rugby once again looms as a potentially decisive factor in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rematch in Christchurch.

Deans today admitted the Wallabies were extremely fortunate to have had Pocock on deck at Etihad Stadium last Saturday, suggesting Australia's 49-28 defeat could have been even worse without the workaholic backrower.

“His game was immense. It's the only way you could describe it. Quite remarkable,” Deans said.

“But he does that every week. He's got a great capacity to give and it's very evident that he deserves the respect that he gets not only from his peers but his opponents now because the awareness is out there.”

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Just 18 Tests into his international career, 22-year-old, Zimbabwe-born Pocock is already being likened to the great McCaw, the only player ever to have been crowned international player of the year twice.

And having nurtured 29-year-old McCaw from greenhorn forward to All Blacks captain during his successful days as Crusaders coach, Deans is more qualified than anyone to rate the two.

“Poey's probably a little bit more physically advanced at this age than Richie was,” Deans said.

“Hence Richie was just held back a little bit so that he wouldn't be physically compromised.

“But both of them, once they entered, thrived.”

Deans, though, refused to be drawn when asked if Pocock had the potential to develop into an even greater player than McCaw.

“I don't see any need to compare,” he said. “He's a remarkable player. Just enjoy what he does.

“Because you've got one good player doesn't mean you can't have two.”

South African Cobus Wessels has been stood down as an assistant referee for Saturday's match, it was announced today.

The decision to replace Wessels followed a review of his performance when the same teams met in Melbourne last Saturday, the International Rugby Board (IRB) said in a statement, without detailing any specific incident.

“Cobus Wessels has been stood down,” the statement said, adding he would instead officiate as a television match official.

New Zealander Keith Brown replaces Wessels in Christchurch but the selection of a non-neutral would not be a precedent for future Tests and was for logistical reasons, the IRB said.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225901046205

As a self confessed fan of both the bloke and the position, I often focus on him, especially when watching a match a second time, and you just get blown away by the ground he covers throughout every minute of a match.
Would love to get a stat on it but it is incredible how often he is the first arriving player to reach a try scorer for the celebration.

When they get those tracking devices certified for use in test matches we will be blown away by how much ground the loose forwards and in particular the 7 (or if you are a backwards yarpie 6) cover.

The big difference between an average player and the better ones will be is it effective cover or are you the last to arrive every time!

In Pocock, Smith and McCaw (who I count as the preeminent 7's I have seen play) it was very effective cover across the field and they pop up when needed all the time, that’s what separates them from average players.

I think for me though that McCaw chooses his moments, Pocock is in everything. That means that McCaw is first man in to the breakdowns he gets to (usually every second one) but Pocock is either first or second to EVERY BLOODY ONE!!!!!!!

and you don't want to be the ball carrier when he arrives second!

Couldn't agree more. I am always amazed to see how much these guys do when watched a 2nd time. McCaw isn't the turnover specialist he used to be (maybe it's just not possible to keep doing that) and Pocock has become the world's number 1 turnover guy. With the rules changing (or being refereed differently) he has had to change his game.
Both McCaw and Smith became better ball carriers as their other attributes lessened. For me I reckon if Pocock can become a better link man/ball carrier he becomes the best ever.