It's official, David Pocock to the Brumbies

http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/...for-the-brumbies/story-e6frfkp9-1226437617128

To help over polluting the Force and Brumby threads, Pocock has confirmed he is off to the Brumbies.

I love Pocock as a player and human being, and certainly bare no ill will to him for making this decision. In the situation it was the wisest decision he could have made, but I find the open letter rings hollow.

As a Force supporter I wish he had laid bare the true reasons. The Force as an organisation as it is currently configured lacks the dynamic required to be successful.

To the Brumbies, congrats and I hope you put him to good use. We want two Aussie teams in the finals in 2013.

I think saying the true reason would lead to what he was trying to avoid by writing a public letter, which is for Force fans to not agree with his decision and put it in 'selfish' terms.

Whatever the reasons it is very bad news for the Force & certainly does not put the organisation over in WA in a good light. I hope this paves the way for more foreign spots to be opened for the Force. It is important for the team not to fall apart. It would be a really bad look if the Force folded & RL strolled right in - potentially taking former Force supporters with it (for those that follow both codes).

No way I would support a WA league team. I hate that sport with a passion that burns brighter than a thousand suns.

I think he did say the reasons. He certainly mentioned a few; family, travel distance, new opportunities, right decision for him and his wife, playing for White, and specifically acknowledging the limited success there.

Pretty honest from where I sit. What would have been served by pointing fingers at specific aspects or people? I don't think he's that guy.

In fact I thought it was a champion letter.

The Brumbies and the Reds have both had this moment in the last couple of years and restructured for the better. We all laughed at JOC's kpi's but maybe there was more too it.

The Force are free to be whatever they want to be, they have to make the tough decisions though, this old style rugby model in Aus is dead, they have to move on and become more professional. McCall, Carmichael and Link were the answer for the Reds, will be great watching the Force come up with their own solution and become a strong team.

Force fans I am gutted or you, I know what it is like watch your best leave year after year, have faith they will turn it around though.

Tragic news for the sand gropers. Not sure where this franchise goes from here.

Given Pocock has proven himself as a man of integrity, maybe people should take him at his word.

The fact he took the time to even write the letter speaks volumes.

Yep, well said. The Reds and Brumbies have been in this position and emerged stronger. It happens to a lot of organisations where tough times force them to confront the brutal reality of their situation and make the necessary changes to ensure their survival. We're at this point in Perth I think. There can be no sugar-coating it: we're in an existential battle now and tough decisions need to be made. No excuses, no complaining, no finger pointing, just get on with firstly the analysis of why we are where we are, work out what to do next and get on with it.

I harbour no ill-will towards Pocock. He's conducted himself with class through the whole process. He's a good man and a worthy Wallaby captain. I hope the Brumbies do even better next year with him in the team.

Yeah agreed.

Jeez in hindsight leaking the Genia recruitment was a watershed moment for the Force.

I remember when Barnes left I thought the Reds were doomed for eternity but it had the opposite effect in the long term. When such a cornerstone player leaves it should provide the impetus for the organisation to say "shit, if that bloke doesn't even like us any more we must be truly rooted" and should provoke a clean out from the top.

With the hindsight of a nights sleep, I have to say you are correct. My dissapointment had some influence on my letter comment.

It's not Pocock's job to provide an analysis on why the Force are in dire straits, the letter was a kind gesture from a decent bloke.

Compare that the JO'Cs departure. Poles apart.

Great Move by Pocock.
And where now for the Force.

Brumbies have just been given a big boost.
Dont know much about the Hooper but he would be worried now Pocock is there.

Great news for the other Aussie teams.
You might as well chalk up your two conference wins each right now.

You mean its a worry for C. Fainga since Hooper is off to the Tahs. At first i thought this would be a bad thing for Colby, but then I realised Colby is still developing, and what he lacks most in his game is some decent fetching skill, who better to learn off then the master Pocock. So in the short run it might seem bad for Colby, with expected limited game time next year, but in the long-run if he learns a thing or two off Pocock he is going to develop into a more complete 7.

Cheers mate, I did a quick google on Hooper..

What's the status of Hooper's current contract? Surely the Brumbies wouldn't have bothered chasing Pocock if Hooper has a few years to run. That bloke should be starting in his best position every week. The Rebels and Force would love him in their squad.

Read above. Hooper is already signed with the Tahs next year.

Hooper signed to go to the Tahs for next season, 10 weeks ago. The next person who laments the fact that Hooper will be starting behind Pocock at the Brumbies, I am going to like their post, then unlike it. It's the closest thing I can think of to a neg.