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Western Force's Three Musketeers earn Wallabies stripes
- By DALE GRANGER
- From: The Sunday Times
- May 29, 2010 7:00PM
SHOW OF FORCE: Western Force players (L-R) Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown show off their new Wallabies tops. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow
THE EMIRATES Western Force's Three Musketeers, an explosive back-row combination that dazzled in the Super 14, were duly rewarded this week being named in the Wallabies squad for the international rugby season.
The ashen face of All Black captain Richie McCaw after he and his Crusaders had been destroyed at the breakdown by the Force's loose-trio was just one reason David Pocock, 15 caps, Richard Brown, 12 caps and the uncapped Matt Hodgson caught the eye of Australian coach Robbie Deans and his selectors.
Injuries conspired against the trio coming together until halfway through the season when they dovetailed dynamically, Pocock and Hodgson operating as a tag team playing to the ball and Brown giving the pack go-forward momentum in classic No. 8 style.
Joining the three in Canberra on Monday preparing for next week's Test against Fiji will be Force teammates Nathan Sharpe (lock), the most experienced player in the squad with 79 caps, Pek Cowan (prop) and James O'Connor (fullback).
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After the Fiji Test, the Wallabies fly to Perth for the Cook Cup Test at Subiaco Oval on June 12 against an England team managed by former captain Martin Johnson and featuring 2003 World Cup winning flyhalf, Jonny Wilkinson.
The Force faithful would love to see their favourites in the Wallabies back row against England, an unlikely occurrence barring injuries.
Pocock, 22 and the heir apparent to the great George Smith, is set to start on the openside flank in the vital fetcher role with Stephen Hoiles at No. 8 and Australian captain Rocky Elsom at blindside flank.
Deans, however, will almost certainly want to blood sooner rather than later Hodgson, 28, a midweek player on the end of year tour.
Deans spoke with admiration for Hodgson's blistering pace that kept him up with Nathan Charles and Cameron Shepherd to score the game-breaking try against the Crusaders at ME Bank Stadium.
Earlier in the season, in a Force side ravaged by injuries, Hodgson was a standout performer in a back row missing Pocock and Brown.
"It's good having the whole group together," said Hodgson.
"I think we understand each other's game. Poey and I are hard on the ball and quite dominant in defence and Brownie has got that running ability and can beat players out wide."
Hodgson said his goals would be to make the match day 22, earn his first Test cap and then a run-on debut.
"Hodgo really stepped up. He and Sharpie were standout players for us until me and Brownie came back from injury. I worked well with Hodgo and enjoyed playing with both guys," said Pocock, who featured in 13 of 14 Wallabies Tests last year, was man-of-the-match against Ireland and played a key role in the win against the world champion Springboks in Brisbane.
"They're both really honest on and off the field and turn up every week. So you know what you are going to get."
Brown, 25, said a competitive edge among the Force trio brought the best out of all three players.
"Everyone likes to compete against each other, seeing who can get through the most work in a game."
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/rug...-1225872926911
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