Pocock to push Mowen aside?
Brumbies captain Ben Mowen has revealed that he would happily hand the captaincy to David Pocock if coach Jake White asked him to.
Pocock ended a lengthy period of speculation last week when he signed for the Brumbies, who enjoyed a stunning turnaround in fortunes this season under the guidance of Springbok World Cup-winning coach White, but it is not clear what sort of leadership role the former Force captain will be entrusted with in Canberra.
Mowen enjoyed a strong season as the leader of a largely under-rated Brumbies squad, but he has revealed that he would have no problem handing the captain's armband to Pocock if White should so wish.
He told AAP: "If Jake taps me on the shoulder at the start of next year and says Poey [Pocock] is the man to lead us forward, I'm seriously fine with that.
"I want to be in an environment where we are constantly challenging each other and I would expect that David arrives with ambitions to be the captain one day, whether that's next year or the year after," he explained.
White is ecstatic after having secured Pocock's signature, especially as the Brumbies' dynamic young openside flank Michael Hooper will be playing for the Waratahs next season.
The experienced coach said that the Brumbies' uncompromising style of play will suit Pocock down to the ground and added that he expects to see the star Wallaby flank develop as a player in Canberra.
He explained: "I really think that the Brumbies brand .. the way we play is probably going to help him in parts of his game that he probably hasn't been lucky enough to be able to do in teams he has played (for) previously.
"I'm excited in that I know what he can bring to the Brumbies and what he can bring to our team, but I'm just as excited about what we can add to his game from an individual point of view," said White.
White acknowledged that with a high-profile player such as Pocock in their ranks the expectations on the Brumbies will be much higher next season, but said that he preferred his team to be respected rather than written off.
"I would rather be in a situation when people expect us to do well; not make up the numbers," White said.
