To say that the last two years of David Pocock’s professional rugby career have been interrupted by injury is a slight understatement. Two full knee constructions during both the 2013 and 2014 Super Rugby seasons with the Brumbies saw the tenacious flanker’s career all-but. Even when he returned, few fans believed that he’d be able to return to the top level of rugby with even fewer believing that he was able to reach the quasi-god levels of breakdown destruction he was previously known for.
Of course David Pocock thought differently and seem determined to not give up on achieving the seemingly impossible after suffering a second straight knee reconstruction for the calendar year in Super Rugby in March 2014.
I hope to be back better than before … There are no sure things in sport but I’ll do everything I can to get back there.
If this positive mind-set was anything to go by, Pocock would be back playing in 2015 for the Brumbies and would be in contention for a World Cup spot come the end of the season. For most athletes, even the best ones, to return to the top would have been nigh impossible. However, not for David.
If you watched Pocock’s cameo appearance against South Africa in the opening match of the Rugby Championship, the quality was for all to see. Coming off the bench, the Zimbabwean-born forward showed moments of absolute quality in both defence and attack, epitomised by his charge down and subsequent tackle earning an attacking five meter scrum that saw Australia score a try not long after. The fluid-like movement was back and his work-rate had, if this was even possible, become more apparent. What is scary about the 27 year old’s return is that he never looked like he was absent for two years and that his ability will only get better as he becomes more confidence being back in the test arena.
As much as his last two appearances for Australia will have boosted his bid for a World Cup place, his stellar return to Super Rugby this season really laid the foundations for him making the impact he has for Australia in this year’s Rugby Championship. Aside from the tries, of which he scored 8 including 2 hat-tricks in 14 appearances, it’s the prowess and swagger on the pitch that he has managed to get back that will have interested Michael Cheika the most. Prior to his injuries David Pocock had been involved in the final three of the IRB World Player of the year twice, a sentiment that speaks volumes of the player that he was and looks like he could return to be.
Pocock will be on the radar of England and Wales who will know that his potential partnership with Michael Hooper will provide a challenge that not many teams in World Rugby will be able to compete with. The combination of finesse, power and pace will be a sight to behold come September and there is no doubt Pocock will deliver if fit. Even if you’re not an Australian fan, everyone should have their fingers crossed that he manages to stay injury free and that he can return to the top of his game in time for the start of the World Cup because he truly is a joy to watch when he plays to his potential.
The one test that Pocock will have to safely navigate and, perhaps the biggest test in world sport, is next Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against the All Blacks. It has already been billed as David Pocock against Richie McCaw and what better opportunity to cement his return to the International stage than to help overturn the kiwis and dominate his positional battle – August 8th will reveal all.