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Retiring Pocock saluted as one of the greats

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Former Wallabies flanker David Pocock has been hailed as one of the greatest players ever by fans across the world after announcing his retirement from all forms of rugby on Friday. 

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The 32-year-old had been chronicling his career in pictures on social media over the past week, so there was the sense that his retirement was impending. These photos dated back to 2005 where he signed for the Western Force after leaving school. 

Having bowed out of the Test arena after the World Cup last year, Pocock, the 83-cap Wallabies back row, was playing in Japan for the Panasonic Wild Knights until the Top League season was abandoned in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

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Drew Mitchell with Argentina coach Mario Ledesma

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Drew Mitchell with Argentina coach Mario Ledesma

With this indefinite break, Pocock said on Instagram that it “feels like the right time to retire from rugby” before thanking those that helped him have the career he had. The response from the rugby world on social media was seismic, with the loose forward praised for his superiority at the breakdown. 

In fact, it has been revealed by Opta that the Zimbabwe-born player has the most turnovers in World Cup history (34), and made more turnovers than any tier one player since his Test career began in 2008. 

Having played across the back row during his career, he was often singled out as one of the great adversaries to All Blacks rival Richie McCaw. The former Western Force and Brumbies star was also a member of the dynasty of legendary opensides to play for Australia, receiving the No7 shirt from George Smith and handing it on to current captain Michael Hooper. 

Given the injury-plagued career that he endured, Pocock’s retirement does not come as a surprise. Indeed, it was touch-and-go last year as to whether he would make the World Cup due to a long-term calf injury. But he was fortunate to end his Test career on his own terms, as he has done with his club career. 

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As much as he was eulogised for his credentials on the rugby field, Pocock is just as well known for his humanitarian work and he will now focus on conservation projects in retirement. 

https://twitter.com/publicwrongs/status/1319523663385821184

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https://twitter.com/rosseratron/status/1319525403610984449

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Easy_Duzz-it 19 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The world never caught up the All Blacks just went backwards . After 2015 they had a plan to build the team around 2 players . Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett , Cane was hailed as the next Mccaw and Barrett the next carter . Unfortunately Cane sustained too many injures and Barrett despite being a great ball runner didn't have a high enough conversion rate or the game management skills to control the team and the game . Then to make matters worst , the selections were so bad year after year the forward pack became shockingly weak .

New Zealand had so much talent wasted betwen 2016 - 2023 . Laumape , elliot dixon , ben tamefuna , pita gus , ben lam , vaea fifita and so many other in form players that never got a look or the time to develop into great All Blacks .


Then you have the dual playmaker system that never worked , but they kept using it . why ? cause some men cant admit when they're wrong . thats the All Blacks between 2016-2023 . wrong coaches with the wrong vision , going in the wrong direction . now it appears the world caught up . but like I said the world never caught up . then you add the obvious flawed referee calls that happen to go against us more often then for us now . the worst of which that never gets called is when the opposition use rush defence but have players offside . this has been going for years , but who cares ? .


anyway its almost 10 and i need to get some shut eye .

Go the might All Blacks !!!!

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LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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