Western Force openside flanker David Pocock says his decision to re-sign with the Western Force until the end of 2010 was one made with the head, not the heart.

Pocock, whose mum, dad and two brothers are based in Queensland, was heavily pursued by the Reds but the 20-year-old said staying with the Force was in the best interests of his rugby career.

"Obviously family was definitely a factor (when weighing up the options) but for me personally my decision was more of a rugby one," Pocock said from Canberra, where he is in camp with Australia's under-20 side.

"You've only got 10 years to play so I was really keen to stay in Perth because I thought that was where I would get the most out of my development.

"It's a great bunch of guys.

"The coaching staff do a great job ... from every angle it's a good program and I've been happy there. I'm looking forward to the next two years.

"I've made some really good friends outside of rugby now (in Perth), sort of like extended

family."

Pocock already has 25 Super 14 caps to his name for the Force and has been earmarked as a future Wallaby.

But the man nicknamed Bamm-Bamm by his Force team-mates refused to get carried away with all the hype.

"There are a lot of talented players in the openside flanker position vying for places in the Wallabies but it is obviously a goal of mine to play for Australia," Pocock said.

"I just have to keep playing well and keep improving my game and wait for my opportunity to come."

Pocock's commitment to the Force for the next two seasons is another setback for the Reds, who were chasing hard for his signature and have lost former Wallaby flanker David Croft to retirement.

Queensland will also enter next season without Wallabies Chris Latham, Sam Cordingley and Stephen Moore, while fullback Clinton Schifcofske, prop Rodney Blake, lock Ed O'Donoghue and centre Chris Siale are also departing, leaving the Reds light on experience and class.

Pocock played three matches for Australia A in the 2007 Pacific Nations Cup and made his Force debut just three weeks after his 18th birthday.

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