Pocock quits Force

Updated July 28, 2012 21:37:58

David Pocock looks poised to sign with the Brumbies after Western Force conceded that their inspirational captain is leaving the Super Rugby club.

The 24-year-old has spent seven seasons with the Force after making his debut in 2006, the same year the franchise became Australia's fourth team in the expanded Super Rugby competition.

The club has never reached the play-offs and the 2012 campaign was one of their worst, finishing second-last on the overall table with just three wins from 16 matches.

The lack of finals action has reportedly prompted Pocock, who skippered the Wallabies in Tests against Scotland and Wales this year, to find a more competitive team.

Speculation has been rife that Pocock will on Monday commit to the Brumbies, especially since their outstanding young flanker Michael Hooper is switching to the Waratahs.

The Force gave credence to the rumour when they released a statement on Saturday night, saying they had failed to convince Pocock to remain in Perth.

"It is with considerable regret that RugbyWA has learnt of David Pocock's decision to leave the Western Force at the conclusion of the 2012 Super Rugby season," the statement read.

"For the past six months, RugbyWA has done everything within its power to retain his services as a leading player within the Western Force.

"David's concerns were principally around the club's inability to recruit high-profile players with this challenge highlighted by the recent opportunity presented to (Wallabies and Reds half-back) Will Genia, which ultimately was unsuccessful in bringing him to WA.

"While we are disappointed with his decision, we wish David well.

"David will always have a special place at the Western Force and should the opportunity arise down the track for him to return, we would welcome him back with open arms."

Pocock's departure is a massive blow to Force fans, who have had to deal with the retirement of veteran lock Nathan Sharpe this season, the loss of star Wallabies utility James O'Connor to the Rebels last season, and coach Richard Graham signing with the Reds mid-2012.

Pocock played 69 Super Rugby matches with the Force and replaced Sharpe as captain this season.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, sport, perth-6000

First posted July 28, 2012 21:37:58

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Red-handed Ripia quits the Force

Updated January 11, 2012 13:22:35

Western Force five-eighth Willie Ripia has quit the Super Rugby franchise after being caught on camera allegedly stealing money from team-mates.

Ripia, 26, was captured on CCTV camera appearing to take players' money in the changerooms at the squad's Perth headquarters.

He resigned after he was informed about the footage last week.

Police are not involved as none of the players who lost money have made an official complaint outside of the club.

It is believed Ripia has been having counselling for gambling problems.

It is also understood players had been complaining for months about money going missing.

Ripia had been previously confronted about the situation, but denied any involvement.

However, it was only when he was told about the recent CCTV footage that he offered his resignation.

The New Zealand-born five-eighth played seven matches last year with the Force after moving across from the Hurricanes for the 2011 season.

His departure is a massive blow for the Force, whose five-eighth stocks are now threadbare following James O'Connor's switch to the Melbourne Rebels.

Half-back James Stannard impressed in the key playmaker's role at the tail-end of 2011.

But the Force are expected to seek special permission from the Australian Rugby Union to replace Ripia, even though the final squad deadlines have already passed.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted January 11, 2012 10:05:12

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Divisive de Villiers quits as Boks coach

Updated October 10, 2011 09:07:40

Peter de Villiers called it quits as South Africa coach after the reigning champions lost their World Cup quarter-final to Australia.

"It was a brilliant journey," said de Villiers, who took over from Jake White following the Springboks' 2007 World Cup win.

"There's a time to come and a time to go and I think the journey for me is over," he added following South Africa's 11-9 loss to the Wallabies, that saw the 'curse of the champions' strike again, with no team yet to win back-to-back World Cup titles.

Turning his gaze on assembled journalists, de Villiers, who has been much maligned for some of his selection policies and public gaffes, added: "It's something you guys can't take away from me.

"It was incredible, and I'm proud to have been in a position to make a contribution to my country."

When South Africa captain John Smit, retiring from international rugby as a player, was asked to say a few words about de Villiers, his coach jumped in and joked: "It's not a funeral, eh!"

Smit said the Springbok squad had enjoyed life under De Villiers.

"We've had a really good four years together. That's been pioneered by Peter," he said. "Even the bad days are good.

"He has given us leeway and space and tightened that space when we took advantage of it.

"I'm disappointed to end it like this."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans added: "Peter de Villiers is a quality man, I've enjoyed the interactions I've had with him."

Talk now, think later

The 54-year-old De Villiers became a likeable but rather enigmatic figure in world rugby, often better known for bizarre utterances and actions rather than tactical master strokes.

De Villiers placed a lot of faith in the 2007 Cup-winning squad, choosing 18 of the 30 and 11 of those were in the squad that lost 11-9 to Australia.

'Div' upset many with his talk-now-think-later approach which peaked when South Africa flanker Schalk Burger eye gouged British and Irish Lion Luke Fitzgerald.

The incident at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria two years ago overshadowed a last-minute, series-sealing triumph for the green and gold, and triggered global fury.

Instead of offering sympathy to the injured Irish wing, de Villiers defended Burger and committed one of the worst gaffes of an often troubled four-year reign.

"Why don't we go down to the nearest ballet shop, get some tutus and get a dancing shop going?," de Villiers said.

His public support last year for Bees Roux after the Bulls prop was arrested for the alleged murder of a Pretoria policeman also severely embarrassed rugby officials.

The 54-year-old native of Western Cape wheat town Malmesbury was a controversial choice as successor to White.

South African Rugby Union boss Oregan Hoskins admitted rugby was not the only factor considered before de Villiers became the first black Springboks coach as the country tried to overcome the racial inequalities of the apartheid era.

Critics pointed to his inexperience - two seasons at Currie Cup minnows Valke (Falcons) and a spell in charge of a national age-limit team.

A poor first Test season brought only two wins in six Tri Nations outings, but 2009 produced a dramatic improvement.

Victory in New Zealand sealed top place in the southern hemisphere championship and the large cherry on top was revenge for a 1997 series loss to the British and Irish Lions.

De Villiers failed to maintain the momentum, though, and 2010 was an 'annus horribilis' with five Tri Nations losses, including home defeats by New Zealand and Australia.

Apart from a dismal win-loss record, de Villiers has not delivered on promises to get the Springboks playing more expansively and speeding up transformation to increase the number of non-white players in the team.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport, south-africa

First posted October 10, 2011 08:30:53

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England skipper Moody quits Test rugby

Updated October 23, 2011 20:39:18

England rugby coach Martin Johnson has praised captain Lewis Moody after the flanker announced he is stepping down from international rugby.

"Lewis has been a great servant to English rugby and has literally put his body on the line more times than he can probably remember," Johnson said of the 2003 World Cup winner.

"To play in two World Cup finals and then lead his country in a third campaign is a great testament to him.

"He will be missed on and off the field and on behalf of everyone in the England squad, players, coaches and management, we wish him all the best for the rest of his career."

England's 2011 World Cup campaign ended in ignominy with a quarter-final defeat to France, and its tournament was marked by ill-discipline on and off the pitch.

Moody, who won 71 caps, said: "If England want to start planning for a successful World Cup in four years' time, it is my belief they should be appointing a new captain from February.

"Even if they still wanted me to carry on, there's no way I would last another four years," the 33-year-old added.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted October 23, 2011 20:39:18

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O'Connor quits Western Force

Expires:Tuesday, September 13, 2011 7:20

James O'Connor has announced he will be quitting the Western Force at the end of the 2011 Super Rugby season.

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Tags: rugby-union, wa

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Smith quits Toulon for Japan

Updated April 24, 2011 08:56:00

Australian international flanker George Smith will quit French Top 14 side Toulon to take up a $1.1 million-a-season deal with Japan's Sanyo Wild Knights.

"Smith decided to leave for Japan and we can't keep him. Everyone will remember his time here. He has been an exceptional player at all levels," said Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal.

Toulon had offered 30-year-old Smith a contract extension but the Tokyo side's staggering offer proved too good to resist.

Smith joined the French side last summer after 10 years with Australian Super 15 side Brumbies.

- AFP

First posted April 24, 2011 08:55:00

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