Brumbies stand firm behind David Pocock’s decision to cite Jacques Potgieter ahead of epic clash

THE Brumbies say they will never regret citing Waratahs forward Jacques Potgieter for making homophobic comments ahead of their epic clash in Canberra.

Brumbies David Pocock during the NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies Super Rugby game at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

THE Brumbies say they will never regret citing Waratahs forward Jacques Potgieter for making homophobic comments in their last encounter.

On the eve of the return grudge match in Canberra on Friday between the fierce rivals, Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg said his team remains staunch behind David Pocock, who made official complaints to the referee, leading to Potgieter being fined $10,000 by the ARU.

The bitter aftermath of the Waratahs’ win in Sydney sets up a tense showdown between the two best sides in Australia this week, and while Pocock and the Brumbies were criticised by some sections for breaking the unwritten and outdated footy rule “what happens on the field stays on the field”, they are unlikely to hesitate to take similar action should offensive remarks be made again.

Jacques Potgieter was fined $10,000 for using homophobic slurs in the Waratahs’ last meeting with the Brumbies.

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“There was certainly something that happened on the field and Poey certainly has strong views on things, he felt inclined to bring it to the attention of the ref and we as a club support it,” said Mogg, who missed that game through injury.

“And we continue to support him. I’m not saying it would happen again, but we support each other.”

Both Pocock and Potgieter have been placed on media bans this week.

The incredible fallout of the previous match ensures the Potgieter incident will be well-publicised this week, however both sides say it will not come into the equation.

Mogg said: “It was dealt with that week, to be honest we haven’t spoken about it at all.”

Waratahs five-eighth Bernard Foley was equally dismissive of suggestions the incident would be used as any motivation on Friday.

“That was sorted out weeks ago, it was a long time ago,” Foley said.

“I had totally forgotten about it.

“That won’t be a talking point throughout the week, we’ve got bigger challenges in front of us.

“If you’re thinking about that sort of stuff then it takes your focus away from the footy, so we won’t be getting caught up in thinking about what happened in the last game.

“We’ve got to play them down there in their backyard, and they are finding their form, so we have to be focused on playing our game and being consistent with it.

“We know the Brumbies inside out, and they’re the same with us.

David Pocock was back to his devastating best against the Highlanders.

“We’ve had massive clashes with them over the past few years, and this game will have extra spice because we haven’t won down there in a long time — I have never won down there.

“We’ve got to find that 80-minute performance, not have the ebb and flow that has been a characteristic of our games this year.”

Mogg is a valuable addition to the Brumbies, showing in his return from injury last weekend against the Highlanders how influential his booming boot can be, pinging the Kiwis back in their own half regularly from his own quarter.

“Bernie [Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham] has obviously put a lot more emphasis on our running game, but we’re not just going to chance our arm and run everything,” Mogg said.

“If we’re just running around the whole time we’ll tire ourselves out.

“We’re kicking a lot less than in the last few years, but it’s just about taking opportunities.

“I think last time we got too caught up in how the Waratahs were going to play, and not so much on how we wanted to play as a team. This time we’re firmly focused on the game we want to be playing.”

Mogg believes he’s “left my run too late” for World Cup selection, but a stirring performance in front of NSW and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika on Friday, opposite Australia’s first-picked player Israel Folau, could put him back into calculations.

Originally published as Brumbies stand firm behind David Pocock’s decision to cite Jacques Potgieter ahead of epic clash