When Wallabies flanker David Pocock was a boy growing up in Zimbabwe he had two posters on his wall – one was George Smith and the other Stephen Larkham.
The posters were taken from a South African rugby magazine, so emblazoned across the picture of Smith were the words: “Enemy threat.”
However, even then Pocock didn’t see these Wallaby legends that way. They were already his idols.
But which one did he want to be – Smith or Larkham?
“I’m not sure,” he laughs, “I just wanted to be out there.
“At primary school I played pretty much the No8 and mostly five eighth (fly-half). I was pretty happy with either.”
Big week of training in Cessnock. Thanks for the hospitality and thanks to all the locals involved in making it run smoothly and being such an enjoyable week. Home for a couple of days before heading back to Sydney for the Bledisloe.
— David Pocock (@pocockdavid) August 9, 2018
📷: @qantaswallabies pic.twitter.com/fUJJtDm5It
It’s fitting that when Pocock made his Test debut less than a decade later the man he replaced that day in Hong Kong was the “Enemy Threat” from his bedroom wall back in Gweru – George Smith.
And the opponent – the same as this Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney – the All Blacks.
“Your debut is always special” he recalls, “playing against them (the All Blacks) in 2008.
“I think I only got eight minutes off the bench but to have a coach (Robbie Deans) who believed in you enough as an untapped player to pick for your first Test – against the All Blacks – and then to actually get an opportunity.
“That was huge for me leading into that Spring Tour and something you think about from time to time.”
Pocock doesn’t recall the score or even who he replaced.
“Was George still on?” he asks.
“You’re so wired, you’ve been sitting on the bench for seventy minutes. You just get out there…
“I probably ran around like a headless chook. I guess that’s the nature of it. You’ve got seven minutes to play a role and try to make an impact. I don’t remember the score to be honest.”
For the record the All Blacks won 19-14, thanks to a try a piece to Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richie McCaw, while for the Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell scored a double.
Young Wallabies (L-R) Ben Alexander, Pocock, Quade Cooper and James O’Connor back in 2008
Although the details may be hazy one thing Pocock will never forget is the feeling of pulling on that famous gold jersey for the first time.
“That is a special memory”, the 30-year-old says.
“It really sinks in after a game when you look around and there’s Matt Giteau and George Smith, Stirling Mortlock and Nathan Sharpe – all these guys you’ve been watching play on TV since you were playing at primary school pretty much.”
He’ll also never forget the special welcome Smith gave him, even though the youngster who went by the name of “Bam Bam” (from The Flintstones) was soon to threaten his place in the run on team.
“George – he had my back,” remembers the Brumbies fetcher.
“He went out of his way to make me feel welcome. I remember getting picked ahead of him (against New Zealand in Tokyo in 2009) and he was the first one to shake my hand – that was the kind of guy he was.
“He was always wanting to share knowledge, make the team better.
“Now as an older player you want to be feeling that as well – passing on knowledge, trying to make the players around you better at what they do.”
George Smith (L) and Pocock (R) of Australia celebrate following victory over Wales in 2009
There is one thing however that Larkham and Smith have up on Pocock – they won the Bledisloe Cup.
That is an honour the 60 Test veteran, about to embark on his eighth Bledisloe Cup campaign, is yet to experience.
Pocock more than anyone understands the challenge which faces Michael Cheika’s side.
“It’s always a huge game (against the All Blacks),” he explains.
“The challenge for us now is we are coming up against the No1 team in the world and they have been there for a very long time.
“There is a long history between the teams. You grow up watching Bledisloe Cup games – there’s definitely meaning there. You want to be playing at your best.”
The breakdown will be key on Saturday, as it is whenever these two nations meet.
“I think it’s always an important part of these games,” acknowledges Pocock.
“Both teams want to be playing on the front foot, want to get fast ball. And defensively are trying to stop the other team from having that fast ball.
“So both teams will be looking to defend well and slow the ball down or even steal it.”
Pocock’s challenge is even greater when you consider he is coming up against two of the best backrowers in the business – Sam Cane and All Blacks captain Kieran Read.
“They’ve been around for a while now and I’m sure it’s going to be a really good contest,” says Pocock.
But the Wallabies also have their own world class combination in Pocock and captain Michael Hooper.
“I love playing alongside Hoops,” smiles Pocock.
“We get on really well off the field and on the field it’s been a great challenge and relationship to find ways to be doing things better, and make that combination work.
“We’ve also got a lot more depth in the loose forwards now which is great. There’s a number of guys who can step up. That’s really healthy and great for the Wallabies.”
Michael Hooper (l) and Pocock in action during the 2015 Rugby World Cup against Fiji
Pocock is also trying to add new elements to his own game, reawaken his inner Larkham that was born on those Zimbabwean playing fields all those years ago and play more of a linking role between backs and forwards.
“It’s been something I’ve been trying to work on,” he reveals.
“It was part of the reason for the move to the Brumbies (from the Western Force). To learn from someone like Stephen Larkham, when I made the move in 2013.
“Then I guess that was part of my decision making to play a season in Japan (where he linked with former Wallabies coach Deans) and work on that further.
“It’s a bit more faster, free-flowing game (in Japan) so you get a bit more of an opportunity there.”
But for Saturday Pocock and the rest of his team mates want just one thing – to get their Bledisloe Cup campaign off to a winning start, something they have done just three times in New Zealand’s 15 year dominance of the Cup.
“One of their hallmarks is playing for eighty minutes,” Pocock says of the All Blacks.
“So that’s got to be part of it (winning tonight). You have to be at your best for eighty minutes and making good decisions.
“The game’s often coming down to one or two turnovers that they capitalize on and score tries. I think that consistency is important.”
The Wallabies also must make the right split-second decisions.
The Aussie who has ABs on 'high alert' https://t.co/7tkdX5wSpg
— nzherald (@nzherald) August 13, 2018
“I think that teams that have a lot of understanding how they want to play,” he says, “and how the players around them play or their habits – you make better decisions.
“That’s a challenge coming out of Super Rugby into the Wallabies. Get those combinations working – and really spend time with each other and prepare well.”
But as the Men of Gold begin their mighty challenge tonight, Pocock will think back to the memories of those faded posters on his bedroom wall.
As he does every time he takes the field for the Wallabies, those former players will be with him.
“Obviously it’s a really proud history,” he says, “and when you’re running out there you’re wanting to play in a way that not only makes player who have gone before you proud but all supporters of Australian rugby.”
“Australians – and then obviously as an immigrant, there’s a bunch of people in Zimbabwe who now watch and support the Wallabies.
“That’s who you are hoping to do proud and hopefully play in a way that inspires the next generation of players, the future Wallabies.”
