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Tue 20 Dec 2016 | 03:51
David Pocock dominant in second match for Panasonic Wild Knights

6
Comments

As David Pocock sets his sights on a sabbatical from competitive Rugby, he hasn't let the idea of time away slow him down as he's taken on his new role with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan.

Coming off of a 2016 season that most fans would rather forget, David Pocockis still considered a key player for the Wallabies. Ever the workhorse, he's now taken his talents to Japan as he looks to step away for some time to pursue his varous conservation projects.

In his second game with the Wild Knights, Pocock made three turnovers, committed 15 tackles, and helped produce this Akihito Yamada try in the 13th minute with a marvelous offload.

Pocock and former Wallaby Berrick Barnes - who tallied 18 points, helped the Wild Knights as they beat Ricoh 45-17.

As for his pending time away, Pocock says: "Rugby is certainly something that I really enjoy but I think like everyone, I'm interested in other things and I feel pretty lucky to be able to pursue them and then get back into rugby."

After his return, Pocock is expected to resume with the Wild Knights for the 2017-18 season and then return to the Brumbies prior to the 2019 World Cup.

Credit: @rugbyhack15

Posted By: davidharper

6 Comments

  • 10stonenumber10
    12:27 PM 22/12/2016

    It is all very professional and disciplined in Japan. A lot of the teams are subsidiaries of big corporations, they have the money and facilities to compete at the top level.

    The Japanese League is a different ballgame. Play is a lot less physical, but it is faster and much better drilled. Brave defence is an understatement... the stretcher is very busy picking up the pieces after heroic efforts. 80 minutes of attacking rugby, longer flow, longer phases, because players keep it within the boundaries both geographically and legally. Older pro players can get away with stepping in 10-20kg lighter than their previous fighting weight, that can add 4 years to a career

  • drg
    10:49 AM 22/12/2016

    What's the score with Japanese rugby in this set up? Are we seeing a great player looking even greater due to the opposition he's playing - that attempt from the second row was a little embarrassing...

    Or is this "non pro rugby" actually very pro....

  • stroudos
    6:53 PM 21/12/2016

    I reckon you're probably right. Like when I get done for offside when really it was just phenomenal line speed. :)

  • 10stonenumber10
    3:47 PM 21/12/2016

    McCaw-esque.

    Most of us would struggle to tackle a bag and get up that quick on an empty training pitch... he does it with 20 people smashing him blindside.

    I don't know what is scarier though... the fact he can do this so easily, or that after a season in the 200mph Japanese league with military strict refereeing... it will be even quicker

  • mozz87
    1:32 PM 21/12/2016

    It's clearly because you're moving faster than the ref's eye can keep up with. Their fault, poor officiating.

  • stroudos
    9:59 AM 21/12/2016

    Lovely stuff. That tackle and turnover is a thing of beauty, although I have to say every time I've got even close to that speed of execution (tackle-release-then contest), the bastard ref has pinged me for not releasing the tackler.

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