SealClubber77
Stan Wickham (3)
I disagree. That's just when the real hope of the right type of Force revival will commence.
The core structures governing Australian rugby mitigate against accountability and responsibility for results. The Boards of the RUs and ARU effectively are able to self-excuse and self-perpetuate until such a large external shock and/or internally induced crisis occurs that they have no choice but to reform and effect genuine change of all of board, management and operating philosophy.
If Pocock leaves, the Force's board will I suspect recognise that the ONLY model that's both proven and well-suited to their needs is that of, approximately, the late 2009 Reds and the late 2011 Brumbies. Namely (1) top flight coach happy to build up a team of low-profile, low-ego 'unknowns' and (2) the consistent quality of developing players high on potential but requiring excellence of team culture and technical coaching support to mature into more accomplished players and (3) positive team environment emphasising selfless team work over star plays and flashy one outs.
When the Force board is able to appreciate that their 'Hollywood' model of star recruitment coupled with poor coaches has been a disaster for them, only then can they genuinely embrace where the most recent, relevant evidence of how you get successful rugby franchise revival, points.
This actually changed my outlook, as a force fan i was devastated when i heard news of Pocock's departure however this was lessened when i heard he was moving to the Brumbies. The Brumbies have built up a strong team and Pocock will be a valuable addition, the news that Hooper was moving the the Waratahs just made me cringe. Hopefully the force will develop talent as the Brumbies have so that i can start watching some quality rugby like back when they first introduced the young gun James O'Connor.