David Pocock leads calls to clean up the clean out after copping it in the neck during Bledisloe Cup

DAVID Pocock is used to opponents targeting him at the ruck, but the tactics employed by some All Blacks on Saturday have left the star poacher fearing for his safety.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND — AUGUST 25: David Pocock of the Australian Wallabies offloads during The Rugby Championship game between the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australia Wallabies at Eden Park on August 25, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

DAVID Pocock is concerned about his long-term health after his neck was twisted at the breakdown by the All Blacks last Saturday.

A sore Pocock could barely turn his head after the match, having been the target of a neck roll by Kiwi prop Owen Franks in a first-half breakdown and being constantly targeted at the ruck by New Zealand’s menacing forwards.

No incidents were penalised by referee Wayne Barnes despite Pocock’s on-field complaints, and the Wallabies backrower revealed the Brumbies had also complained to SANZAAR during the Super Rugby season about rival players twisting his neck as a way to get him off their ruck ball.

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Jack Maddocks checks on a distressed David Pocock during the second Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park. Picture: AAP Image

Asked if he feared his career could be prematurely ended by further neck twists, Pocock replied: “As a player, you feel that after games and it’s not something you want to think too much about.”

The No. 8, Australia’s best performer in the defeat, may need scans upon return to Canberra this week.

“I copped a knock and then a bit of a neck roll, it’ll be sore but hopefully it’s nothing serious,” Pocock said.

“There were a few during Super. It’s something the refs said they were going to really look at.

“The Brumbies put in a few citing, where you try to get someone cited, and none were accepted as meeting the threshold.”

David Pocock took an utter pasting today. A lot of - not all - the punishment from gnarly illegal clean-outs. Justifiably frustrated and had words with Barnes with about 10 minutes to go. https://t.co/IyQR4UF3XS

— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) August 25, 2018

Here is @jacindaardern and @pocockdavid trying to talk about anything other than Australian politics and Australian rugby pic.twitter.com/km4ccC96sv

— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) August 25, 2018

Pocock did not criticise Barnes’ officiating during the 40-12 defeat in Auckland.

“It’s a hard one, the refs are doing their best, I thought Wayne was good tonight,” Pocock said.

“He’s a really good communicator, lets both teams know what he’s thinking and you’re able to chat to him. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.

“I guess it’s one of those things as a player, you get into those positions and you are a bit vulnerable.”

As Australia’s chief turnover merchant, Pocock is the biggest target for rival forwards cleaning him out of the ruck.

While most challenges are legal, World Rugby has taken a hard-line stance against any contact with the head over the past two years.

Contact with the neck has also come under scrutiny but not at a consistent level, as shown by the lack of action against Franks.

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Originally published as David Pocock leads calls to clean up the clean out after copping it in the neck during Bledisloe Cup