Pocock re-signs with Western Force

Wallabies flanker David Pocock believes his rugby future will be best served by
staying in Perth after re-signing with the Western Force for the next two Super
seasons.
And the 22-year-old hopes his decision to stay will convince others to do the same.
Pocock, with 15 Test caps to his name, has already established himself as the
Wallabies' first-choice No.7 following the international retirement of George Smith.
The Zimbabwean-born powerhouse, nicknamed Bam Bam, said the chance to build
something special at the Force was too good to turn away from.
"I'm really excited about it. To keep playing with Matt Hodgson and Richard Brown
(in the back row) was a big plus for me so I'm looking forward to it," Pocock said.
"There were a few different options to think about and I did consider other things
but the best decision for me at the moment is the Force.
"There's a good feel amongst the side despite the losses.
"And the whole coaching question, we are pretty confident the new CEO will fix it
all up and get the right coach when John Mitchell leaves (at the end of next
season).
"That wasn't an issue for me.
"Every player has to weigh up the pros and cons for whatever options are available.
"It's up to other guys to decide what they want to do now.
"It's a young group and just from this year, things have changed a lot since a few
of our bigger name players left.
"Some sort of rebuilding phase I guess and there's a genuine good feeling.
"This group really wants to work for each other.
"When the team does turn up and play well, guys are playing for each other, so that
was a big thing for me."
Pocock, who has notched 53 super caps since debuting for the Force as a 17-year-old
in 2006, felt the Force was the right place for him to take his game to an even
higher level.
"I do feel like I've improved a lot as a player here and I think there's more
opportunity to improve," he said.
"My decision was based more on rugby and where I felt where I could develop more but
it's definitely a bonus living in Perth.
"The beaches are good, there's hardly any traffic, it's good to get around.
"And I guess it's a bit of a plus it's not really a rugby town. A lot of the media
and hype is around the AFL, which I quite like."
The Force started the season with six straight losses but have won three of their
past four matches to climb off the bottom of the table heading into Saturday's clash
with the last-placed Lions.