Pocock the 'freak' expects backlash
New Wallaby captain David Pocock, described by coach Robbie Deans as a 'freak', expects a backlash from Wales in the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday.
Wales, trailing 6-20 with half-an-jour to go, clawed their way back to within just one point (19-20), before a late Pat McCabe try sealed the win for the Wallabies.
While Pocock and company won the first round of the three-Test series, the Wallaby skipper knows that Wales rival Sam Warburton and his charges will be more determined to end the Southern Hemisphere's dominance over their rivals from north of the Equator.
Apart from Scotland's midweek shock of the second-string Wallabies in Newcastle last week, the only Six Nations win over a SANZAR (Tri-Nations/Rugby Championship) team in the last 20 Tests was Ireland's World Cup triumph over the Wallabies last September.
Not surprising then to hear Pocock speak of expecting a "fierce" backlash in Melbourne.
Pocock said, despite the impressive turnaround following last Tuesday's 6-9 loss to the Scots in Newcastle, the Wallabies still have a lot of work to do.
"Some things were a bit rusty and we're definitely not where we want to be," he told a media scrum on Monday.
"But what you did see is a willingness to work for each other. That's going to be crucial this Saturday."
That willingness and depth were crucial as the Wallabies' held on after Wales clawed back in the second half at the weekend.
"The great thing for us was, at 20-19, it was anyone's game," Pocock said.
"We put on some reserves who really added a lot and we were able to control the next 10 minutes. That was pleasing but there's plenty to work on."
And the Welsh, the Six Nations Grand Slam champions, will no doubt raise the bar.
"They're a classy side," Pocock said, adding: "We're well aware we'll be up against a much improved and hungrier Wales side this week."
Pocock added that he is relishing the challenge of facing Warburton in a battle of openside flanks again.
"I love coming up against good sevens [No.7s]," Pocock told reporters.
"He [Warburton] is hard on the ball and has got a high work rate – they're the things that are the start for modern sevens.
"He's the kind of guy who's not satisfied losing, so he'll be driving his side this week and I'm sure they'll come out firing this Saturday."
Pocock earned rich praise from his coach, Deans, for getting the better of Warburton and the role he played in the Wallaby win.
Deans hailed Pocock as a "freak" and the best ruck warrior he's seen.
Not even All Black captain Richie McCaw, who Deans coached for eight years at the Crusaders, ranks above Pocock as a ball-scavenger.
Asked whether he'd ever seen anyone as effective, Deans said: "No, no, absolutely not.
"He is a physical freak. He has such a low centre of gravity, he's got such strength and he's quick and he's smart.
"So he gets into good position and he claims good position. He's nigh impossible to move and he gets the benefit of that."
What was just as impressive for Deans was his new captain's leadership after being thrown into the role a week before the poorly-scheduled Scotland Test due to incumbent James Horwill's hamstring injury.
"It was a baptism of fire," Deans said, admitting it could have torched a lesser man.
"It didn't. He got better. He got stronger.
"He's really grown from a leadership perspective, just from stuff that he's had at the Western Force. You can see he's calmer, he's clearer."
Sources: Sydney Morning Herald and AAP
