Pocock prepares to ride with Brumbies

[travelling_gerry]

Nick Taylor, The West AustralianUpdated July 28, 2012, 4:30 am

• The Western Force were last night unable to douse speculation that captain David Pocock had agreed to sign with rival Super Rugby club the Brumbies.

Pocock told the Force he expected to have an answer on his future today but he refused to comment on reports that he had already agreed to sign for the Brumbies, dismissing them as speculation.
Force chief executive Vern Reid had not managed to talk to Pocock last night, heightening speculation he was departing the besieged club, which continues to underachieve.
If Pocock quits it will bring an end a disastrous season and leave the Force in disarray as Waratahs coach Michael Foley is only likely to accept a three-year deal to join the club if the Wallaby flanker re-signs.
If Pocock walks away from the club he joined as a 17-year-old apprentice in 2005 it would leave them without a captain or a coach, despite having 17 weeks to find a successor to Richard Graham.
It would also damage their ability to attract world-class players.
The Brumbies have long been touted as favourites to sign Pocock but several senior Force players who support Foley spoke to him about staying under his leadership.
The Force have offered Pocock the best possible financial deal and worked hard to recruit players that would have suited Pocock including Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia and centre Ben Tapuai, both who decided to stay with the Reds.
A major shake-up of the Force football department is also under way. The Force have not been able to secure a coach since Graham told them he was quitting for the Queensland Reds.
Initial talks then broke down with Foley who has a short-term "get out" clause with the Tahs but he was subsequently tabled another deal.
His job was on the line at the Tahs after a poor season but after a presentation to the club board he was assured of the second year of his contract.
If Foley turns down the Force they would have few serious options left and may have to return to their former foundation assistant coach John Mulvihill who was interviewed but failed to get the job.
He took charge when John Mitchell was sidelined during the 2009 player revolt and is currently preparing Japanese club Mitsubishi Dynaboars for their new season.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-...with-brumbies/

[Hoolly Doolly]

"as Waratahs coach Michael Foley is only likely to accept a three-year deal to join the club if the Wallaby flanker re-signs."

And there lies the problem and why poey should have publicly committed to staying or leaving much earlier.

[WFDom]

What a fuckin balls up! from start to finish.... By ALL involved!
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[wholetruth]

As honourable as Pocock is you would have thought he would have made contact with Vern Reid and given him a heads up on what is going to happen. By not doing that he has pretty much signalled "I'm off". It just fuels the fire further.

[onions]

No coach after 17 weeks-no captain because of this.At the beginning of the Force there was energy,enthusiasm,excitement and hope for the future.Now we're the laughing-stock of 3 countries.If my first sentence is correct and we the supporters do nothing about the management,then we are as pathetic as they are and we deserve what we get.I feel sorry for Eberson,he must be wondering what the hell he's done.I'll still be back next year-at least there won't be long queues to get a bag of chips.

[hertryk]

Me too....

We will down our sorrows at the Awards Night and say a fond farewell..but we have to support, and congratulate those that have signed and are staying..Nathan Charles , Sam, Benny...etc...Cullett......

[Alison]

Absolutely Hertryk!! And I had a convo with David Smith on Twitter last night and he is very keen to try and come back to the Force after he finishes at Toulon next year! So, all is not lost!!

We will rise from the ashes like the poverbial phoenix, and do this to all in our path.......

Think I may have OD'd on my happy pills this morning!

[normie]

Absolutely Hertryk!! And I had a convo with David Smith on Twitter last night and he is very keen to try and come back to the Force after he finishes at Toulon next year! So, all is not lost!!

We will rise from the ashes like the poverbial phoenix, and do this to all in our path.......

Think I may have OD'd on my happy pills this morning!

Well done, Ali, keep working on Smithy, he's a champ.

Ps please tell me the name of your happy pill supplier....





"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily"

[Alison]

Well done, Ali, keep working on Smithy, he's a champ.

Ps please tell me the name of your happy pill supplier....





"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily"

I think the supplier should become a sponsor of the Sea of Blue

[Rex Messup]

I see a Pocock departure as a great opportunity.........to broom the joint. Start with the management. Bring in a coach who has a track record of building success from rags to riches.

Put an end to player power

Use the coin saved to buy a quality 10 and 12.

Viva la Force

[GIGS20]

Todd Louden still isn't signed to a super rugby franchise an he actually applied for the job (or was that just speculation as we'll) give him a 1 year with kpis to build a team from scratch. It couldn't be worse than what's going through the media now
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[Burgs]

Just on 9 news that he is leaving.

[tragic]

Very disappointing, but really not surprising given the nonsense going on at the moment. I wish you the very best, Poey. Good luck, and thanks for all that you've given. Sorry to see you go

[blueandblack]

In my email inbox:

"RugbyWA Statement Re: David Pocock

It is with considerable regreat that RugbyWA has learnt of David Pocock's decision to leave the Emirates Western Force at the conclusion of the 2012 FxPro Super Rugby season.

blah blah blah"

[Hoolly Doolly]

Glad its finally out. Get on with the business of getting the franchise on track.