World Rugby citing commissioner urged to look at All Blacks neck roll on Wallabies backrower David Pocock
ONCE upon a time a neck roll was an automatic yellow card. Not any more it seems. Recognising the on ball threat of David Pocock, the All Blacks went after the star backrower — even if it meant attacking his neck. WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!
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ONCE upon a time a neck roll was an automatic yellow card — not any more it seems.
Recognising the threat of David Pocock at the breakdown, the All Blacks threw everything at denying the scavenger from making an impact at the ruck in their 40-12 win over the Wallabies on Saturday.
Even if it meant attacking the neck of the star backrower.
Three times Pocock was left holding his neck in the first half, once as Jordie Barrett collected him without the ball and twice because of neck rolls at the breakdown.
The second neck roll was clear as day, as an All Black grabbed Pocock around the neck and slung him to the ground.
World Rugby dictates that a minimum sanction of a yellow card must be shown if “contact… to grabbing and rolling/twisting around the head/neck area even if the contact starts below the line of the shoulders.”
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The incident was picked up by Fox Sports, who discussed the incidents at halftime.
While former Wallabies backrower Stephen Hoiles said he was happy for referee Wayne Barnes not to go to the pocket, he added that it was important World Rugby clamp down on the dangerous play.
“He’s complained a couple of times,” Hoiles said.
“This is a clear neck roll and this was even looked at from the TMO.
“So Pocock’s gone down at least three occasions — he’s had a bad neck for a long time — he’s a guy that is so strong over the ball that the only way to get him off the ball sometimes is to move his neck, which is now illegal, it’s not safe to touch a player’s neck.
“It will be looked at during the week (by the citing commissioner).
“I’ve got no problem with it being an even contest — 15 on 15 — but you want to see that followed up next week.”
Throughout the Super Rugby season, Pocock’s Brumbies coach Dan McKellar raised the issue of opposition targeting the backrower’s neck at breakdowns.
“The big one for me is the neck roll on Poey, that’s just dangerous, we see Israel (Folau) get suspended for an accidental collision in the air and then we’ve got one of the world’s best flankers with his head over the ball and twisted in an awkward (position) and (nothing),” McKellar said in June.
“It’s really dangerous and we’ve got to start to come down on those sorts of actions.”
Remember when neck rolls got you a card.
— Iain Payten (@iainpayten) August 25, 2018
It's actually ridiculous when you think about. World Rugby go bananas for in-air contact/spear tackles to rub out danger to spine. But a blatant neck roll? Play on.
— Iain Payten (@iainpayten) August 25, 2018
Another neck roll on Poey..#NZLvAUS pic.twitter.com/vmSp6fYax3
— Steve Lenthall (@steve_l15) August 25, 2018
Guess that neck-rolling thing isn’t an issue any more? #BledisloeCup2018 #AUSvNZL
— Mick Snowden (@MickSnowden) August 25, 2018
Originally published as World Rugby citing commissioner urged to look at All Blacks neck roll on Wallabies backrower David Pocock