Pocock is example to all, says Mulvihill

JOHN Mulvihill has revealed the wonderfully generous act of David Pocock when he was just 18 and how he wants his Cardiff Blues players to follow the Aussie’s lead, writes Matthew Southcombe.

The openside flanker was under Mulvihill’s tutelage at the Western Force during his formative years and the current Blues boss has revealed why the now 71-cap Wallaby is the player he’s most proud of.

In an interview with Rugby Pass, Mulvihill recalled a time when a Pocock was a teenager and received a $1,000 cheque for earning the man-of-the- match award.

Instead of slapping it behind the bar to celebrate, he went to the local store and bought 20 $50 sleeping bags and drove around Perth handing them out to the homeless.

“What would you do with a $1,000? He threw them in his car, drove round Perth,” said Mulvihill.

“He got out of his car and saw a guy on the side of the street, and said ‘listen mate, I hope this will help you feel a bit more protected and safe and what-have-you.’ He did that.”

Pocock didn’t go home until all 20 sleeping bags had been handed out.

Mulhivill also recalled how Pocock once threw rugby balls and jerseys over the walls of an African school after being denied entry.

Aside from being a world-class rugby player, Pocock is known to be one of the good guys, devoting much of his spare time to the battle against animal cruelty among other things.

And it’s that kind of mentality that Mulvihill wants to instil in his Cardiff Blues players and that started by dishing out food at a homeless shelter during the offseason.

“We’ll hopefully get a Christmas drive going and a few other things to get them to understand that it’s not just about (results),” he says.

“Just little things like that make you think that if you can do something to make someone a little bit happier in life that’s brilliant.

“For me, I want the boys to have an understanding that yeah, we’re in our little world here but there’s so much stuff going on outside that we need be aware of a little bit.”

When Mulvihill was announced as the Blues’ new head coach in March earlier this year, Pocock lauded him with praise.

The pair worked together at the Force between 2006 and 2009.

“He played a huge role in my development as a player,” said Pocock. “His ability to interact with the playing group and make the younger players feel welcome was one of his strengths.”

The Blues face Zebre this weekend and will be looking to get their season on track after suffering two late defeats at the hands of Leinster and Benetton.