David Pocock will retire from Test rugby following the World Cup in Japan.
The champion back-rower, who earlier this year confirmed that he would leave Super Rugby at season’s end, confirmed to reporters on the eve of his return to the Wallabies against Samoa that Saturday’s Test would be his last on home soil.
Pocock had been grounded by a calf injury that had kept his sidelined since the opening rounds of the Super Rugby competition way back in March.
In the absence of regular captain Michael Hooper, who has been kept in cotton wool ahead of the Wallabies’ opening World Cup match against Fiji on September 21 in Sapporo, Pocock will captain Australia against the World No 16 nation.
It will be the 31-year-old’s 78th Test.
Pocock to retire after RWC
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As always with the ever unassuming Pocock, there was no fanfare around his decision.
You get the feeling that he would not have given a toss had the news not broken.
Earlier this week it was announced that Sekope Kepu and Tatafu Polota-Nau, who will make his first appearance in gold this weekend too after being named on the bench, would also retire after the World Cup.
Test centurion Will Genia, too, only last month.
Only when asked at the captain’s run did Pocock reveal his plans post World Cup, which followed the inspirational forward’s comments celebrating the achievements of his teammates who will also retire from Test rugby at year’s end.
“I think so, yeah,” Pocock said nonchalantly.
Wallabies squad to face Samoa
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Undoubtedly his increasingly fragile sculptured body played its part in the decision, but Pocock said the healthy stocks in the back-row in Australian rugby contributed to his thought process.
“I think looking at the flankers coming through we’re in good hands and that’s exciting for Australian rugby,” said the Zimbabwean-born Pocock who immigrated to Australia with his family as a teenager.
“I feel like I’ve put a lot into it, I’ve really enjoyed it and benefited a huge amount.
“As an immigrant to Australia rugby’s provided me with somewhere to make friends, to feel like I belong and obviously go on to get huge opportunities playing professional rugby at the Force, Brumbies and the Wallabies.
“I feel like it’s time to move on to other things and contribute in other areas.”
The return of Pocock has been a long time coming.
It was thought that the world class flanker would return midway throughout the Super Rugby season with the Brumbies.
He even travelled to South Africa with the Brumbies in April believing a return was nigh.
Yet with each passing week Pocock’s name was scratched out.
Eventually, the decision was made to retire from Super Rugby.
As July rolled around, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said that Pocock was making steady progress but that no date would be set on his return.
He was close to selection during the Bledisloe series, but not close enough to be risked this close to the World Cup.
But on Wednesday, after months of frustration, lift off.
“It’s been frustrating,” Pocock said.
“It’s one of those things when you’re injured, you want to be out there and you’re doing everything you can to get back.
“I guess when you get back, you reflect on how much support you’ve had along the way from physios, medical staff, family and all the rest.
“Any injury can be career ending and as players we talk about it often — you never know when your last game’s going to be.
“To be back here with this opportunity tomorrow night, and to look who I get to play alongside, Willy Genia, we were talking about it, we played our first run-on start about 10 years ago against South Africa, so to both finish up together here in Sydney is special and I want to make the most of it.”
Wallabies ready for Samoa
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With the Wallabies to play their World Cup opener against Fiji on September 21, Cheika and co-selectors Scott Johnson and Michael O’Connor have decided to make wholesale changes for their side to take on Samoa and keep the majority of their first XV on ice.
Only two men — back-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and winger Marika Koroibete — who started against the All Blacks during their embarrassing 36-0 loss at Eden Park last month will start against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium.
But Pocock brushed away talk that it was a second string side and emphasised that a full squad effort was needed to succeed.
“The thing we’ve talked a lot about this year is that it comes down to the depth across the whole squad,” Pocock said.
“There may be 15-23 guys going out there representing the Wallabies on the weekend but it’s really a 30-35 man effort preparing during the week, ensuring you know your role, you’re at your best every day.
“This week, we’ve got personnel changes, but we’re still looking to play the same style of rugby, bring that same intensity, wanting to go out there and inspire the next generation of boys and girls to want to wear the green and gold.”
