Pocock raises concerns after neck-rolling
Wallabies flanker David Pocock has admitted his concerns after a tough night at the breakdown in Auckland.
Pocock was the Wallabies' top tackler with 18 and won a pair of turnovers in the 40-12 Bledisloe Cup loss at the hands of the All Blacks.
All Blacks prop Owen Franks was penalised early for a neck roll while trying to clear Pocock out. Pocock was later asked about the potential lasting impact of neck rolls.
"As a player, you feel that after games and it’s not something you want to think too much about."
"It’s pretty sore," he continued. "I copped a knock and then a bit of a neck roll.
"It’ll be sore but hopefully it’s nothing serious."
Pocock was reportedly so stiff after the contest that he had to turn his body as opposed to his head to speak with reporters.
The flanker is a regular target for teams at the breakdown, and teams often go to the extreme to counter the 30-year-old.
"There were a few [neck rolls] during Super [Rugby]," Pocock said.
"It’s something the refs said they were going to really look at."
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika weighed in on Pocock's influence and revealed how his star was feeling after the Test.
"He's there nearly all the time, so he becomes a target and they do whatever they can to get rid of him," Cheika said.
"I think today's probably not the day to start going out for that type of stuff but for his own - he could hardly move his neck today.
"We need to also go there and give him a bit of support as well when that happens to him, we've got to show we're right behind him."
The Wallabies are now back in Australia and will host the Springboks in Brisbane on September 8 when their Rugby Championship campaign resumes.
In other news:
Latest Comments
I’m looking forward to attending the Twickenham match, I don’t think it will have a bearing on the outcome of the grand prize itself but it will tell us more about each teams’ preparation and game plan. It’s hard to look past one of the big four (I’m including Canada) lifting the trophy in 2025 but sport is a curious thing, there will still be twists and turns in road ahead.
Go to commentsThe better side seems to be the losing side a lot these days. As far as narrative goes. Must be the big emergent culture of “participation awards” that have emerged in nanny states. ”It looked like New Zealand would take the game from there but lapses in execution let South Africa get back into the game. New Zealand’s goal kickers left five points out there, including a very make-able penalty on the stroke of half”. Sounds like a chronic problem… I wonder how the better team has lapses in concentration and execution? Or are those not important factors in the grand scheme of total performances? In 2023, the ABs at least didn’t give up a lead to lose. They just couldn’t execute to get the points and take the lead. This Baby AB result points to a choke - letting the game slip through your fingers. In the words of the great Ricky Bobby’s dad - “If you’re not 1st you’re last!” Loosely translated - if you didn’t win, you’re a loser.
Go to comments