Pocock not focused on captaincy

Editor

Brumbies and Australia openside David Pocock is more focused on getting back to playing, rather than leading the Wallabies.

Brumbies and Australia openside David Pocock is more focused on getting back to playing, rather than leading the Wallabies.

Pocock missed all of 2013 after undergoing a knee reconstruction, forcing him to miss the series against the British and Irish Lions series.

Now fully fit and in pre-season training with the Brumbies, the 25-year-old has been named as one of the contenders to replace Ben Mowen as captain of Australia.

The fact that Pocock's name is being mentioned is noteworthy considering how long he has been out injured, but it's not important to Pocock – who has won 46 caps since his debut in 2008.

''I'll leave [the captaincy] to the experts and coaches to decide – that debate doesn't interest me at all,'' Pocock told the Canberra Times.

''I'm happy to get out there for the Brumbies and enjoy playing again. [The captaincy] will all be resolved down the track.

“As soon as you start worrying about captaincy and all those other things, that's when you've got your priorities wrong.

''Captaincy is a great honour, to be given an opportunity to serve your team in that role. But it's not about chucking your name in the ring to promote yourself.''

Pocock's absence as he recovered from a torn ACL meant he was forced to watch the Wallabies endure a difficult time under first Robbie Deans and then Ewen McKenzie.

His main rival for the number seven jersey however, Michael Hooper, went on to have an excellent season – winning the John Eales Medal in the process.

Pocock's now is to put himself back into contention for Australia and to challenge Hooper for the openside role.

''You'd prefer not to be injured, but I haven't done a pre-season in a while and I'm feeling fit and good,'' added Pocock.

''Hopefully I can play good enough rugby to warrant [Wallabies] selection this year, but that's really not my focus at the moment.

''[Hooper] is outstanding. Winning a John Eales Medal says it all and it's great for Australian rugby going into the next World Cup with depth at number seven.''