David unable to slay Goliath ruling
31 Jan 2006
The International Rugby Board has ended David Pocock’s Vodacom Super 14 season, ruling the player is too young to be involved in the competition.
Pocock, the Australian schoolboys flanker, played 20 minutes in a warm-up match for the Western Force against the Cheetahs, but the IRB has banned him from playing against the Blues this week because he is too young. He is 17 years-old.
Pocock, according to reports, is six foot tall and weighs 100 kilograms.
21 Comments
31 Jan 2006, 22:23 pm
What to they feed this dragon???
31 Jan 2006, 22:25 pm
I agree with this completely. The boy is too young. Who would honestly send this boy up against Bakkies, Os, AJ, Ron Cribb and other bruisers.
I don’t care how big he may be. The boy is green and doesn’t know the tricks. He’ll be donnered in no time. That could be the waste of a wonderful talent.
Aussies will use anything to make up for their lack of playing personnel.
31 Jan 2006, 22:30 pm
Yes YoMama,
Not that it is now going to happen, but think how bad it would look if he gives AJ, Bakkies, Os or the likes a snotklap.
1 Feb 2006, 00:35 am
remember how frederico mendez (19 years old) decked paul ackford in his first test? remember a young ollie le roux taking on the bester brothers?
six foot tall and 100kg…not really a dwarf.
1 Feb 2006, 02:01 am
If he’s ready, he’s ready. No point in hanging around just for a bit more sand to run pointlessly through the hourglass.
If there’s a “too young” limit, surely there also ought to be a “too old” limit? Sorry, Os.
1 Feb 2006, 03:21 am
There wasn’t much chance of him playing this year in the S14 games. In oz there have been 17 year olds who have played in the NRL.
1 Feb 2006, 07:51 am
Absolute rubbish!
If this kid is good enough, then let him play. 15 year olds are breaking swimming world records, 16 year olds are competing in top tennis tournaments, and gymnasts as young as 12 are competing in International gymnast tournaments.
Kids are maturing faster these days, and if this kid has what it takes to compete on a big stage, then so be it.
1 Feb 2006, 07:51 am
Tacklers hate of all things South African stems from his panicked and desperate flee from these beautiful shores during the CHICKEN RUN years back.
Now he pointlessly spews forth hate and retribution.
Sad.
1 Feb 2006, 08:03 am
Another 17 year old (Kurtley Beale) will be pushed through the Tahs ranks next year.
1 Feb 2006, 08:03 am
Richie
All of that sports you just mentioned are not contact sport! What happens if a kid gets hurt and can never ever play again, what will you tell him parents?
1 Feb 2006, 08:34 am
If you were a coach and you spotted a 17 year old with the name of Lomu playing in a school game in New Zealand, wouldn’t you take notice and try get him in your S14 team? Of course….
1 Feb 2006, 08:34 am
I say let him play, Carter was 19 when he first played for the AB’s – Besides he ain’t that small and if he is used wisely by the time he is 19 he could be a veteran !
1 Feb 2006, 08:43 am
Only problem here will be street smarts, could be dangerous against some of the wiser vets of the game.
Get hom in slowly, start him off the bench, find lower pressure ways to introduce him to the field.
Agreed IG, imagine being a vet at that age.
1 Feb 2006, 09:08 am
He seems like he is big enough to play s14 but if they let him play at 17 and some other scrawny kid wants to play at the same age they’ll have nothing to prevent him from playing really.
1 Feb 2006, 11:54 am
if you are good enough, you are old enough
1 Feb 2006, 12:02 pm
I CAN”T BELIEVE IT! i know this kid – grew up in zimbabwe – his dad coached me. he has always been a phenomenal talent – played wing and flyhalf when i knew him so he’s got wheels and awesome handling skills. he’ll be a wallaby and it’s a shame because he will be fantastic. great kid too!
1 Feb 2006, 12:06 pm
mickeyj, in other words he is a seagull like George Smith.
1 Feb 2006, 12:29 pm
whats a seagull brumbIV?
PS: you dont happen to be “********” brumby that was on the site last year? I miss old ********, had a bad mouth on him that one, you seem more sensible.
1 Feb 2006, 13:03 pm
i am a newbie.
A seagull is a forward who camps out in the backline looking for glory (Jeremy Paul style).
1 Feb 2006, 14:03 pm
he was actually born in south africa and is elligible to play super 14 in south africa and for the springboks if he ever moved back…
1 Feb 2006, 15:01 pm
He is a Zimbo, only moved to Oz in 2002
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