Dale Granger From: Th

STAR backrower David Pocock says the Emirates Western Force must brace for a backlash against a fired up Reds, who will be rebounding from the devastation of the Queensland floods in this year's Super 15.

The Force open their Super 15 account in Brisbane on 20 February, facing a Reds side that put 50 points past them at the same venue last year.

Pocock says the Queenslanders will be more motivated to prove a point this year.

This week the Force donated $10,000 to help Queensland rugby rebuild from the floods, with ace playmaker James OConnor, a Gold Coast native, putting the boots he wore kicking the Wallabies to victory over the All Blacks in Hong Kong last year up for auction.

The Force, however, know the Reds will not be charitable when hostilities begin on the field.

As does coach Richard Graham, captain Nathan Sharpe who, along with Force vice-captain Pocock, have roots in Queensland.


"People have been doing it tough there for the past few weeks and lots of people in the team and in WA have family links and friends living in Brisbane and Queensland," said Pocock.

"The floods are definitely something we think about and it is great that WA Rugby has made a donation to kick-start relief efforts. I am sure there is a lot more to come,

"But it is one of those things that can bring a team together, and they will feel as if they are playing for all of Queensland and the rugby population. "That first game will give them something else to get their mind off the floods, and people behind their team. The floods will lift them and they will be trying to use that as an extra sort of tool to get people to the game and them fired up for it"

In the Wallaby camp, Pocock and OConnor are both close friends with Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper, who was sensational in last year's competition and is again a key player this season.

"We know each other so well, and that does not make it any easier," Pocock said.

"It's a bit like playing your brothers in the backyard: you never want to lose to them."

Following last year's 50-10 loss, the Force are the ones with issues that can only be erased with victory.

"I guess they were all over us and it was not a great match," Pocock said of the game.

"We got a rugby lesson at Suncorp and they had a great season. (Will) Genia and Quade (Cooper) are world-class players and that's something we will have to deal with.

"They will be fired up and ready to go. It's a huge challenge for us to start well, particularly as we have a bye the following week, and you never want to go into that, coming off a loss."


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