Super Rugby: Brumbies flanker David Pocock banned for three weeks for neck grab but will only miss two games

BRUMBIES superstar David Pocock has been hit with a three-week suspension but will only miss two Super Rugby matches for a neck grab.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 02: David Pocock of the Brumbies looks dejected after dropping a pass during the round six Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Chiefs at GIO Stadium on April 2, 2016 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

BRUMBIES star David Pocock will miss clashes with the Waratahs and the Crusaders after being suspended for grappling with the neck of Chiefs no.8 Michael Veitch at the weekend.

The star no.7 plead guilty to the incident of foul play during the Brumbies’ loss at Canberra Stadium, where Pocock held Veitch in a headlock while attempting to stop a Chiefs’ rolling maul.

The rival forward appeared to tap Pocock several times in a wrestling-style submission and was later treated on the ground.

Brumbies flanker David Pocock has been banned for three weeks for his neck grab on Chiefs No. 8 Michael Leitch.

After being cited for playing a player without the ball, Pocock elected to not fight the dangerous play charge and and judicial officer Adam Cassleden last night slapped the Wallabies flanker with a three-week suspension.

Because the Brumbies have a bye this weekend, however, the SANZAAR suspension means he will only miss two games: against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday, April 17, and against the Crusaders at home on April 24.

Pocock’s crime fell squarely within the parameters of World Rugby’s crackdown on dangerous contact with the head and neck, and Cassleden cited a 2015 memorandum by the governing body in explaining his judicial finding and suspension.

“In its Memorandum on “Dangerous tackles (high tackles), dangerous grasping of neck and/or head area of player not in possession of the ball and dangerous grasping/holding of ball carrier above the line of the shoulder” dated 22 May 2015, World Rugby stated “this type of dangerous play which is foul play must be dealt with severely by match officials and all those involved in the disciplinary process”,” Cassleden said in a SANZAAR release.

“With respect to sanction I deemed the act of foul play merited a low-end entry point of 2 weeks. I then added one week for aggravation due to the need to deter this type of dangerous foul play. However, taking into account mitigating factors including the player’s early plea, his good character, his genuine remorse and his excellent disciplinary record I reduced the suspension to a period of two weeks.”

Pocock on the sidelines for the rest of April is good news for the Waratahs, who are in desperate need of a win over their old rivals at Allianz Stadium.

NSW have struggled to get their attack firing this season and without Pocock making a menace of himself at the breakdown, they will have a far easier time of recycling quick ball and launching front-foot attack.

Originally published as Super Rugby: Brumbies flanker David Pocock banned for three weeks for neck grab but will only miss two games