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Thread: Rebels pass on Pocock

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    Legend Contributor blueandblack's Avatar
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    Rebels pass on Pocock

    New Super rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels claim they have taken Western Force flanker David Pocock off their hit-list of top Wallabies.

    Pocock was one of the Australian stars, including playmaker Berrick Barnes and loose-head prop Benn Robinson at the Waratahs, Brumbies outside centre Stirling Mortlock and Reds winger Peter Hynes, being hunted by the club.

    But a Rebels insider told The West Australian: "There has not and will not be an offer made to David Pocock.

    "No offer has been made to him. He's not interested in coming to Melbourne."

    The news will come as some relief to the Force who will be fighting to hold on to their stars when the Rebels start raiding Australian clubs in two weeks.

    However, the ACT Brumbies still have Force vice-captain Pocock in their sights as a replacement for retiring Wallaby George Smith.

    The news from the Rebels on Pocock does not come as a complete surprise because he is a highly principled 21-year-old who is unlikely to turn his back on the club that helped make him a Wallaby.

    "David got his first opportunity with the Western Force and he is a very loyal young man with high standards," the Rebels insider said.

    Pocock, whose 17-year-old brother Steve joined the Force academy this year, does not want to talk about his future until this Super 14 season is over. He is sidelined for a month with a damaged finger.

    The Rebels have not ruled out making a bid for injured Force and Wallaby full-back Cameron Shepherd.

    "No offer has been made and any decision will be totally up to him if his injuries come good," the Rebels source said. "Obviously we would be interested if he was interested."

    It is understood the Rebels are rethinking their recruiting after several overseas players demanded big salaries and lengthy contracts.

    The Rebels have only signed one player, former England fly-half Danny Cipriani, but coach Rod Macqueen is said to be keen to recruit Mortlock.

    They are also chasing rugby league convert Mark Gasnier, currently playing for Stade Francais in the French Top 14 competition.

    Force players are on a short break with a bye this weekend and head coach John Mitchell, under pressure to find a first win against the Reds in Brisbane in 12 days, will be assessing his backline options.

    New signing David Hill, who arrived from Japanese club Toshiba last week, is a good organiser of the backline and is touted to take the flyhalf spot from talented teenager James O'Connor.

    Interestingly, Hill spent time at inside centre in his last two years at the Chiefs as the polished Stephen Donald emerged as a future All Black fly-half.

    He also played at centre for Bristol when he joined the English club four years ago.

    Mitchell moved O'Connor to flyhalf in last weekend's loss to the Chiefs, after having him play a dual role as playmaker and full-back in the loss to the Hurricanes, but does not seem convinced that the youngster is ready for the crucial pivot position.

    After Saturday's 37-19 loss, Mitchell said O'Connor had played well but needed to learn how to drive his side out of its own half.

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    Champion Contributor sandgroperrugby's Avatar
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    HA, must have told them politely NO.

    Still not counting the chickens until their scratchings are on paper with Force letter headings titled Contract.

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    Veteran mudskipper's Avatar
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    Julian Salvi will be popular...

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    Champion Tazzmania's Avatar
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    If this is true, could be the best news of the season.

    You cannot have a better starting building block than Bam Bam, going forward. He is our past, he is our present and looks like he will now be our future.

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    Immortal Contributor The InnFORCEr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blueandblack View Post

    "No offer has been made to him. He's not interested in coming to Melbourne."
    Should read "we would be crazy to make an offer to a player not interested in coming to Melbourne"

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    Veteran zimeric's Avatar
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    he knows he has the opportunity to be Captain here as early as next year, he probably wouldnt get the same opportunity at the Brumbies given the Committee's ambitions there.. and he knows that his veins are desert gold and his blood is ocean blue!

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    Veteran mudskipper's Avatar
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    he can't sign anything with a broken hand...

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    Veteran mudskipper's Avatar
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    relax Timbo the angry penguin and have a laugh... It'll help...

    Pococks not going anywhere...

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    And I would believe Melbourne has stopped trying (right before the bye) about as much as I believe any such press release on future contracts/player intentions. Why would they even bother saying so, especially if they are targetting other Force players - surely better to keep Force management off balance and dividing their attentions?

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    My worried eye continues to be on Hodgson, for no sound reason greater than gut instinct.
    With the above story it is probably more they chatted and realised the public knock back media wasn't worth the very long shot of landing him.

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    Veteran robyn <3's Avatar
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    Fabulous news!

    Bambam is the character I'd least expect to walk out on the Force, along with Sharpie. Probably why they are the Captains

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    Quote Originally Posted by Burgs View Post
    My worried eye continues to be on Hodgson, for no sound reason greater than gut instinct.
    With the above story it is probably more they chatted and realised the public knock back media wasn't worth the very long shot of landing him.
    Burgs if it makes you feel any better he was the first to sign last year (even after all the pre-season dramas) and it was a 2 year deal (unless a Melbourne clause was included) so he is ours until 2011. Plus I am 99% confident he said (one of Hodgson, Brown and Pocock definitely said it) that he planned to be here for a long time. He's getting game time here, he has a girlfriend here and he definitely seems happy here so relax

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    Veteran mudskipper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Burgs View Post
    My worried eye continues to be on Hodgson, for no sound reason greater than gut instinct.
    With the above story it is probably more they chatted and realised the public knock back media wasn't worth the very long shot of landing him.
    I'd have to agree Hodgo now doing all the loosie work is a standout this season... how old is he?

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    26?

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    C'mon the

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