Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.
AFTER being handcuffed and arrested for protesting against a coal mine at Maules Creek, Wallabies star David Pocock was taken into custody knowing he was due at training at 7am the next day in Canberra with the Brumbies.
Finger-printed and processed, Pocock was locked up around 8pm on November 30. By 11.30pm, he had been granted a release, and with partner Emma waiting outside the police station, the pair raced to their car.
"We started the drive back to Canberra at 11.30pm, I got home at 6.40am, had a shower and was at training by 7am," Pocock recalled.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was seriously concerned that after a day of protesting – Pocock had chained himself to machinery on the site alongside farmer Rick Laird – and driving more than seven hours overnight, his star player with a history of injuries could have a training mishap.
"I really didn't know where he was, but I knew he was in a bit of trouble," Larkham said.
"He knew that he had to be at training the next day, I had full confidence that he was going to be there, and he turned up.
"I'm not sure how long he drove for and how much sleep he had, but he certainly turned up and yes, he was our best trainer on the day.
"There's a number of things about Poey that makes him special, he's certainly got some rugby ability, he's very skilful, he's got a really well-built body.
"He's struggled with his knee over the last couple of years, but he's got a lot of muscle, he's very strong.
"But mentally, I've never seen anyone like him.
"Just his ability to switch everything else off, and focus on the moment, he's very good like that.
"It doesn't matter what else he's done prior to the training session or through the week, he'll turn up and train for you or play for you at 100 per cent."
Pocock plead guilty to three charges stemming from that incident and this week avoided conviction in court.
"I don't condone breaking the law, I am not advocating anything that would see someone end up in police custody, it was a consequence of my actions and I was happy to deal with them," Pocock told the Sunday Telegraph.
"I am very grateful for this justice system we do have in Australia."
Pocock wasn't the only one arrested, but he was the only well-known professional sportsman.
"More than 300 protestors had been at Maules Creek and they hadn't received much press. Rightly or wrongly, an athlete gets arrested and it becomes news," Pocock said.
"That is what I hoped for, to lend some support to them.
"It wasn't a decision I made overnight. I had written letters, lobbied, protested, and it hadn't generated the awareness I'd hoped, so I took the next step.
"I don't think my action was going to stop the mine (it opened last week), my action didn't come from a place of vendetta against the mine, I wanted to highlight the plight of Rick Laird and hundreds of other farmers.
"Throughout the whole process, the mine workers were great, the security guards and police were great, I have absolutely no beef with them.
"People who ideologically don't agree with me have been willing to chat about the issues, and that is what I hoped."
Pocock has never shied away from standing up for his beliefs – he and Emma will not legally get married until the same rights are afforded to gay and transgender people - making him one of the world's most intriguing and admired rugby stars.
David Pocock causing trouble for the All Blacks defence. Source: Supplied
Also passionate advocate of action on climate change, Pocock is aghast that many of the world's top scientists are being ignored in regards to proposed solutions.
But while he is a relentless social campaigner, Pocock has now turned his full attention to what he is best known for; rugby.
Following two seasons blighted by knee reconstructions, the powerful flanker will be a major weapon for the Brumbies and Wallabies if he returns to trademark form.
"By this stage, I've done so much work that if the knee was going to go again, it would have happened," Pocock said.
"Some of the best advice I received after I did it asking was not to ask 'Why me?', but 'What can I make of this?'
"I decided to focus on the things I could influence and change, and that was really helpful."
Pocock embarked on the arduous rehabilitation but along with Brumbies medical staff ensured that it was not a carbon copy of the program he completed the previous year to avoid boredom and seek better results.
He has been named vice-captain of the Brumbies but will likely lead them out in their Super Rugby season opener against Queensland on Friday in Canberra, with regular captain Stephen Moore to come off the bench.
Pocock's natural leadership qualities have seen him repeatedly linked to the Wallabies' captaincy this year – he briefly held the post in 2011 and 2012 before injury sidelined him – but he laughs it off.
"I've hardly played any rugby in the last two-and-a-half years," Pocock said.
"It's not something I've actively sought in any team I've played for.
"My feeling is that it's a position where your job is to drive what is best for the team and to serve your teammates."
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Handcuffs to training paddock in eight hours
Dengan url
http://beritaolahragakuat.blogspot.com/2015/02/handcuffs-to-training-paddock-in-eight.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Handcuffs to training paddock in eight hours
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
Handcuffs to training paddock in eight hours
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar