Pocock to lead Aussie young guns
Fri, 30 May 2008 14:23
Western Force flank David Pocock has been provisionally named captain of a star-studded Australian Under-20 squad for the inaugural International Rugby Board (IRB) Junior World Championship in Wales.
Western Force flank David Pocock has been provisionally named captain of a star-studded Australian Under-20 squad for the inaugural International Rugby Board (IRB) Junior World Championship in Wales.
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) stated in a media release that Pocock, 20, has already appeared 25 times for the Perth-based franchise and was a member of the Under-19 World Cup-winning team in Dubai in 2006.
The player said that it was a great privilege to lead the first Australian Under-20 team.
"It's always an honour to play for Australia at any level so as captain of this new team it makes it even more special," Pocock said.
"There a lot of guys in the squad who played with me in 2006 as well as a lot of guys from Australian Schoolboys so we have a lot of international experience here."
"There has been a lot of talk about the Super 14 players in the squad but at the end of the day it is fifteen on fifteen and it will be the team that can play well for the full 80 minutes that will win it."
Fresh from their 51-27 thrashing of Fiji Under-20s on the weekend, where coach Brian Melrose had the luxury of resting his Super 14 players, the squad are now in their final preparations before departing for Wales on Sunday.
They are set to be joined in the United Kingdom by Waratahs duo Kurtley Beale and Rob Horne following the Super 14 Final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
However, all players in the final squad are still subject to confirmation, pending Wallabies selection for the opening three Tests of the season against Ireland and France.
Coach Brian Melrose has been forced to make two changes to the squad through injury with Junior Sovala, scorer of three tries against Fiji, coming in for Brumbies-bound Alfi Mafi, while Andrew Rossiter's withdrawal has opened up a place for Sitiveni Mafi at flank.
Despite having one of the strongest age squads going into the tournament, Melrose is wary of complacency before their opening Pool match against Canada on June 6.
"We're looking forward to the tournament, we have a very talented strong squad from front row right through," said Melrose.
"There is no room for a slip up, we're coming off only a 10 day preparation and as long as we don't slip up in our opening two matches against Fiji and Canada it will be a sudden death match against England."
