David Pocock was never one to shy away from a challenge – be that on the field with the Western Force, ACT Brumbies, and the Wallabies or in the public square. Throughout his long playing career, which ended in retirement in 2020, the 33-year-old was a loud voice in support of social justice causes and greater action on climate change – even getting himself arrested in 2014 after locking himself to digging equipment at a Maules Creek Mine site.When he retired from Rugby in 2020, the Zimbabwe-born Canberran didn’t have any intention of moving into politics but, after a few years spent on conservation work, announced his intention to stand as an independent candidate for one of the ACT’s two spaces in the Australian senate late last year. In conversation with ESPN’s Joey Lynch, Pocock discussed the genesis of his move into politics, policy creation and his platform, climate change, athletes in politics and much more.