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By Jim Tucker
March 25, 2008 11:00pm
MILESTONE man Nathan Sharpe is certain young Western Force flanker David Pocock has the skills to break the monopoly on who wears Australia's coveted No. 7 jersey.
Lock Sharpe's 100th Super rugby appearance in Perth on Friday night put him in a reflective mood to judge the best teen talents to emerge over his decade-long career.
Without a blink, he nominated "Bam Bam" Pocock, a man-child on debut at 18 for the Western Force in 2006 but now a fully fledged Wallaby contender at 19.
In Pocock's mobile 103kg of power and ball-handling, he sees an openside flanker capable of breaking the grip on the gold No. 7 jumper held by George Smith and Phil Waugh since late 2000.
"It's a matter of when, not if, David Pocock becomes a Wallaby," said Sharpe, who is focused on a winning celebration of his century against the Stormers.
"It could easily be this season at some stage because his skills are a bit of George, a bit of Phil and his own extra assets thrown in.
"You wouldn't be saying that about a 19-year-old except he's also very professional in his preparation and with the mental side of the game."
Far from Sharpe feeling every day of his 30 years because of such young lions, it is the progress of Pocock and the Force which is keeping him youthful and ambitious.
"Going through the hardships of that first year (2006) when we won just once was part of the making of this team because we stuck by each other for the turnaround," Sharpe said.
"Making the semis and winning Super 14 are now ambitions for this team and for me, which does keep an old fella going when you've been playing at this level for 10 years.
"Dave will make his own call on what is best for him next year (the Reds are out to woo him) but there's a definite attraction in the attacking style we've developed."
The 63-Test stalwart played 70 Super games for the Reds and remembers copping his most memorable sledge when current teammate Matt Giteau was an ACT Brumby in 2004.
"We were being pasted by 43 points (51-8), Gits just passed the ball for another try and let out this squeal as if something was wrong," Sharpe said.
"I asked what and Gits smugly said, 'Got grass in my eye . . . I can't read the scoreboard'."
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...003411,00.html
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players in the same boat.....all of whom suffer the whims of Robbie's ability to select his own team!
