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Brumbies coach worried about how far teams will go to stop Pocock after 'nasty' incident

Pocock receives medical attention to his neck.

Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar is worried about how far teams will go to stop the effectiveness of star flanker David Pocock at the breakdown, with the Highlanders often resorting to dangerous and illegal tactics to remove him off the ball.

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“We’ve been talking about protecting players’ heads, there just seems to be [a case] now that a few things have gone out the window,” he said.

McKellar referred to an incident in Saturday’s clash as ‘nasty’ when Elliot Dixon grabbed Pocock around the neck in the process of cleaning him out.

“That looked like a pretty nasty cleanout there so it’s important that we protect the players and I’m not sure if that was the case.

Pocock was an instrumental force that kept the Brumbies in the game for 60 minutes, winning four turnovers in the game and coming up with big plays as they defended their own line.

“He was unbelievable [during the game]. Just tough, mentally tough, physically tough. He cops treatment at just about every breakdown. He’d be the first player that every opposition team talks about from one week to the next.

“He just continues to deliver through his actions and his leadership too. He’s been outstanding since he came back and certainly over the last few weeks.

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The 29-year-old who has just returned to Super Rugby after recovering from injury looked in serious pain after the incident and required on-field medical attention. The Brumbies can ill afford to lose their star openside and are dealing with a potential injury crisis in the backrow, with number eight Isi Naisarani in doubt after suffering a head knock against the Highlanders.

McKellar admitted that the team “can’t afford to lose too many more back-rowers, that’s for sure” as they await the return of blindside Lolo Fakaosilea.

The team will be wary of the threat posed by the Jaguares after they stunned the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday.

“They’re a dangerous side,” McKellar said.

“That first 40 minutes they played against the Waratahs early on in the year was as good as any team has played this year.

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“[In the Rebels game] again they’ve obviously put out another good performance so they will have momentum, enthusiasm and belief on the back of that.

“We’ve just got to get back home and have a good week of training and continue to keep our season on track by getting a win.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
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