Pocock wins Force MVP rugby award

Brumbies-bound flanker David Pocock has left the Western Force on a winning note, taking out the franchise’s Super Rugby Player of the Year award.

Pocock polled 261 votes to finish ahead of retiring inaugural captain Nathan Sharpe (210) and recently appointed club captain Matt Hodgson (196).

Prop Pek Cowan (178) and winger Nick Cummins (176) rounded out the top five.

Pocock accepted the award with a heavy heart, knowing it marked the final phase of his glittering career with the Force.

Although the 24-year-old never tasted team success in Perth, his individual career has grown in leaps and bounds to the point where he has even captained the Wallabies.

Pocock said the close relationships he had formed with his fellow players made it hard to leave the club for the Brumbies.

“There are definitely mixed emotions,” Pocock said after being announced as the winner on Saturday night.

“I’ve loved my time at the Force but now that’s come to an end.

“With rugby being a team sport, I’m a little bit uncomfortable with individual awards, but when it’s voted on by your teammates that’s really special.

“They’re the ones you’re working hard for, the ones you need to impress and that’s where the enjoyment comes from.

“You’d always trade in a man of the match or any sort of accolades for a win but to be voted for by your peers over a season is special.”

Emerging prop Salesi Manu, 21, took out the Rising Star award, while Cummins was named the Members’ MVP.

Lock Toby Lynn won the Force Man award as the player who best exhibited the club’s ethos and values.

The Force won just three of 16 games in 2012, and have since appointed Michael Foley in a director-of-rugby role for the next three years.

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