Background and career
David Willmer Pocock (born 23 April 1988) is an Australian politician and former professional rugby union player. Born in South Africa and then raised in Gweru, Zimbabwe, Pocock moved to Australia as a teenager and played for the Australia national rugby team. He played primarily at openside flanker, and was vice captain of the Brumbies in Super Rugby. After his retirement, Pocock worked as a conservationist and social justice advocate. In the 2022 Australian federal election, Pocock ran as an independent candidate for one of the Australian Capital Territory's two Senate seats. He defeated Liberal incumbent senator Zed Seselja, becoming the first independent to represent the ACT in the Senate since the territory gained Senate representation in 1975.
