James Mortimer 11.Jun.2012Getty Images
The Wallabies registered their first test win of the season with a 27-19 win over Wales, with the biggest difference for Deans’ troops after their 9-6 loss to Scotland in Newcastle (Brisbane’s better weather aside) being the impetus generated by the pack.
Another notable sight was Pocock charging into the breakdown with consistent support, whereas against the Scottish forwards the Western Force flanker was often left isolated.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, who Deans coached for years at Canterbury and for the Crusaders, is generally regarded as one of the finest opensides that has ever graced the game.
However Deans said that Pocock was a “freak”, and was direct when asked if he had ever crossed paths with a player who was the equal of the Zimbabwean born fetcher.
“No, no, absolutely not (does a player compare to Pocock)”, Deans said.
“He is a physical freak. He has such a low centre of gravity, he's got such strength and he's quick and he's smart.
"So he gets into good position and he claims good position. He's nigh impossible to move and he gets the benefit of that."
Deans felt that Pocock’s real strength of late had come from how he had responded to a difficult situation, thrust into the national captaincy for two test matches within five days, with incumbent captain James Horwill sidelined.
"It was a baptism of fire," Deans said about Pocock gaining the captain’s armband.
"He got better. He got stronger.
"He's really grown from a leadership perspective, just from stuff that he's had at the Western Force. You can see he's calmer, he's clearer."
Deans also felt that the test match against Wales next weekend in Melbourne would be a massive occasion.
"It's do or die next week," Deans said.
"It will be another dry ball so I imagine it will be edge of the seat stuff which will good.
"They are a fit side; it's going to be a great series, for sure."
