Australia openside flank David Pocock has been given a glowing report by New Zealand ahead of their massive Tri-Nations meeting this Saturday.

The Wallaby picked up the man-of-the-match award for his efforts in Brisbane, which earned him a great deal of praise. Yet he will instead be looking to follow up his Super 14 showing of this year, when the Crusaders lost to Western Force.

Pocock was a constant thorn in Richie McCaw's side that day and number eight Richard Brown is expecting more of the same in Melbourne.

''David is no slouch and he has now played well against Richie McCaw a number of times. I'd back him all the way,'' he said, speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Meanwhile, All Blacks Head Coach Graham Henry has given his own glowing assessment of the player after his performance against the Boks.

''He played bloody well,'' Henry said.

''He is very combative at the tackle, and physically very strong and stable. So he has the ability to hang in. You get smashed around a lot trying to do the job in that area of the game, and he has the physical and mental strength to be able to handle that.''

Like Henry, McCaw was also impressed by his opposite number ahead of this Saturday and cited Pocock as being a real menace in slowing down South African ball last weekend.

''He did cause quite a nuisance of himself at the breakdown and you could see the Boks getting frustrated,'' said New Zealand's captain.

''So he had an impact there. The Springboks weren't as accurate as they would have liked and he [Pocock] is these days pretty good at reading how to get in there and be a menace.''

planetrugby.com

27/07/2010