Pocock rules the ruck
4 Nov 2010
RYAN VREDE writes the perception that Richie McCaw is the world’s best fetcher at present is flawed, but his value cannot be overstated.
It has become accepted as an absolute that the All Blacks’ breakdown burglar is the finest exponent of his craft in the world. However, statistically Australia’s David Pocock trumps him.
Wales coach Warren Gatland’s assertion that, ‘… at the moment there’s nobody in the world better than Pocock at winning turnovers at the breakdown,’ is accurate, certainly pertaining to the 2010 Tri-Nations, which is the most accurate stage on which to make a comparison. Gatland went on to identify Pocock as the key player for Australia, stressing, ‘…we have to do a job on him.’
Using the Tri-Nations as a measure of the two men, Pocock made 21 breakdown turnovers in six Tests, at an average of 3.5 per match. McCaw managed 17 at 2.8. When pitted against each other, Pocock won the turnover count 12 to 10.
Available statistics don’t reflect ruck recycles slowed, which is a significant contributor to defensive success, given that it allows a defensive line to reset, thus making it easier to repel attacks.
However, to suggest Pocock is a better all-round openside flank would be foolish. McCaw possesses an ability to infiltrate the very psyche of his opponents and has an aura Pocock is still developing. He also operates with greater guile, essential to the success of any openside flank.
Indeed, ruck turnovers alone are a sterile measurement of McCaw. His true value lies in his all-round contribution, which is incomparable for an openside flanker. McCaw makes an average of 78 actions per match (actions defined as a tackle, pass, ruck clean ect).
When you consider that the ball is in play for around 36 minutes per Test, that translates to 2.1 actions per minute. To illustrate just how freakish that is, Schalk Burger is the next best flank in this regard, averaging 35 actions per Test on average.
Pocock, for all his appreciable skill, is still in a process of refinement. That is a scary proposition given how good the 22-year-old is already.
Like McCaw, his full value is often only appreciated in his absence. Pocock’s ability to stem the attacking flow of the opposition at the breakdown is revealed in the number of tries the Force conceded when he played (20 in eight matches) and the number conceded in his absence (25 in five). The Force are breached double the amount of times when Pocock is watching from the stands.
However, like Heinrich Brüssow of the Cheetahs, Pocock has touched the ceiling of his potential at the Force. A move to a better franchise is essential if he hopes to realise his immense promise.
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76 Comments
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4 Nov 2010, 17:00 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther) : @poppa69(poppa69) : Hey you two, isn’t it past your bed times??? Don’t make me call my lawyer….
4 Nov 2010, 17:03 pm
cute..
a kiwi cirlce jerk.
hint for poops.
if you don’t like south africans then don’t spend your precious time on the nightshift hanging round a south african rugby blog.
you sure aren’t doing us any favours.
4 Nov 2010, 17:03 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy) : didnt know you’d played for your country Stormers, thats impressive..
4 Nov 2010, 17:04 pm
@gunther(gunther) : I like SA’s grunter, its just YOU I dont like, and one or two others, those who think their shite dont stink, but unfortunately if truth be known it reeks mate..
4 Nov 2010, 17:07 pm
@poppa69(poppa69) :
Im not sure whether you caught Tacklers, ahem, recent lesson in Maoritanga and its context in the Haka ?
“To “oppose” the challenge, the opponents should do absolutely anything they like. NOT meekly “stick to your half”. If they rushed at the ABs and spat in their faces, or gave them the collective brown eye in deep contempt, that would be perfectly OK. It’s a contemptuous, fully disrespectful, do-your-worst response to the cheeky Maori challenge. Tikanga does not demand a “respectful” response to their challenge. It’s an open dare to a fight. And those so challenged are free to respond with as much respect or loathesome bring-it-on contempt as they feel. They don’t have to keep their distance.”.
Tell me, were the boys from Te Aute or Wesley or Puke or AGS ever dumb enough to cross the halfway line when the St Stephens boys were in full cry ?
Speaking of which, did you see that clip on YouTube when the Maoris vs Cook Islands in a league match (last 1-2yrs ?) and it all went OFF at the Haka ? classic footage, esp the fullas walking off with their arms around each other…”tee hee, cheers bro”.
Mind you, dear old Tackler was rather less accurate earlier this am when stating that the Boks won “a Series IN NZ in 2009″ by winning 2 Tests (see ‘The SBW Show’ @ 233). Silly me, I thought Bloem and Durbs were in SA…..you can take the boy out of Sth Africa, but….
4 Nov 2010, 17:07 pm
@poppa69(poppa69) : I may BE that very lawyer pops…..
4 Nov 2010, 17:08 pm
@poppa69(poppa69) :
poops
nobody gives a toss who you like.
back to the nightshift for you.
4 Nov 2010, 17:13 pm
@poppa69(poppa69) : @ 54
really ?!
Gunther is clearly one of the sanest people in this here asylum. A Safa with a sense of humour is not to be discouraged.
4 Nov 2010, 17:14 pm
@gunther(gunther) : @ 52
you may have meant a “Kiwi jerk circle” altho I may be getting confused with a Caribbean recipe I once knew.
4 Nov 2010, 17:16 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther) :
hush blackie.
its’s better like this.
4 Nov 2010, 17:17 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther) :
jerked chicken/beef?
nobody told you about the secret ingredient?
4 Nov 2010, 17:18 pm
@gunther(gunther) :
I bet you tell all your servants that
4 Nov 2010, 17:18 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther) : hehehe I cant believe he’s posted that really… the silly man, obviously doesnt get out much in NZ huh?
and no, I never personally seen any visitors overstep the line at St. Stephens, but it can be a fearsome sight as you know..
I’ll have to have a look for that clip, I think Ive seen it though..
yeah, Bloem is out the back of the Wairarapa bush, but more commonly referred to as Hicksville, and Durbs is a tiny little suburb of Stewart Island..
4 Nov 2010, 17:20 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther) : nah, theres definitely no sense to his humour… hes a farkwit of the higest order…
his insults are funny though, the original pooper was classic.. had me rolling in the aisles…
4 Nov 2010, 17:25 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther) :
teachers stamp for you.
I have long since stopped trying to keep Maevis quiet.
She won’t even turn the wrestling down when I’m on the phone.
as for ***… I mean obviously I could if I wanted to, I mean she works for me. I would fire her *** if she said no.
However Maevis would snap SBW in two and she has a bigger tache than divvie.
so I content myself with teaching her to make me a cappucino and fantasising about what she must have been like 20 years ago.
4 Nov 2010, 18:17 pm
Gunther
I’ve seen mention before but not sure whether what/who is
‘Maevis’ ?
and I do so hate missing any cryptic humour.
4 Nov 2010, 18:29 pm
Maevis is my domestic executive assistant.
You would call her my servant.
She is also my cover for shady black economic empowerment dealings.
She also tells my Zimbabwean investment banker (gardener to you) what to do.
4 Nov 2010, 18:31 pm
@gunther(gunther) :
OH !
so Maevis is your wife.
4 Nov 2010, 18:37 pm
No blackie
My wife is a different animal entirely.
Mabel is what a white south african would call a made.
4 Nov 2010, 18:45 pm
@gunther(gunther) :
it was a joke, no stamp req’d…..
4 Nov 2010, 18:53 pm
I know blackie.
I was milking it.
4 Nov 2010, 20:05 pm
@gunther(gunther) :
soooo, Maevis is the farm bovine dairy provider, currently under use.
Mabel is a ‘made’ (presumably in China)
And your wife is a different animal entirely.
okaaaaaaaay
4 Nov 2010, 23:16 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther) : Yep, I totally stuffed that one up. My bad.
5 Nov 2010, 03:57 am
“It has become accepted as an absolute that the All Blacks’ breakdown burglar is the finest exponent of his craft in the world.”
Some people have worse memories than goldfish. Brussow > McCock and PoCOCK.
Where was Pocock last year when Brussow wasn’t injured? Get over this curly-headed-gym-******-fake Australian.
5 Nov 2010, 08:04 am
Brussow? A sicknote of note.
5 Nov 2010, 10:09 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler) :
on ya, pilgrim (what on Earth came over you ?!)
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