Sydney - Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has praised his newest Test captain David Pocock, saying that he has never in his time coaching seen a player as effective at the breakdown.
According to the allblacks.com website, the Wallabies registered their first Test win of the season with a 27-19 win over Wales, with the biggest difference for Deans’s troops after their 9-6 loss to Scotland in Newcastle (Brisbane’s better weather aside) being the impetus generated by the pack.
Another notable sight was Pocock charging into the breakdown with consistent support, whereas against the Scottish forwards the Western Force flank was often left isolated.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who Deans coached for years at Canterbury and for the Crusaders, is generally regarded as one of the finest opensides that has ever graced the game.
However Deans said that Pocock was a “freak”, and was direct when asked if he had ever crossed paths with a player who was the equal of the Zimbabwean-born fetcher.
“No, no, absolutely not (does a player compare to Pocock)”, Deans said.
“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."
Who would YOU rather have in your team? David Pocock or Richie McCaw?
According to the allblacks.com website, the Wallabies registered their first Test win of the season with a 27-19 win over Wales, with the biggest difference for Deans’s troops after their 9-6 loss to Scotland in Newcastle (Brisbane’s better weather aside) being the impetus generated by the pack.
Another notable sight was Pocock charging into the breakdown with consistent support, whereas against the Scottish forwards the Western Force flank was often left isolated.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who Deans coached for years at Canterbury and for the Crusaders, is generally regarded as one of the finest opensides that has ever graced the game.
However Deans said that Pocock was a “freak”, and was direct when asked if he had ever crossed paths with a player who was the equal of the Zimbabwean-born fetcher.
“No, no, absolutely not (does a player compare to Pocock)”, Deans said.
“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."
Who would YOU rather have in your team? David Pocock or Richie McCaw?