Monday Round-Up

Blow for Pocock: Former Wallaby skipper David Pocock will sit out his side’s forthcoming Super Rugby clash with the Chiefs this Friday, having picked up an ankle injury during last weekend’e opening round of tournament action. After playing a large part in the Brumbies’ hugely impressive 40 point victory over neighbouring Queensland Reds on Friday, Pocock has since been unable to train with the rest of the squad, suffering with a grade one syndesmosis to his ankle. With Pocock’s track record of injuries in recent years, it is likely that the Brumbies coaching staff, directed by former Wallaby flyhalf Stephen Larkham, will be more cautious than normal in Pocock’s return to play timeframe. A treatable injury, Pocock is not expected to miss a whole host of matches, but rather a brace of encounters, starting with Friday’s clash with the Chiefs in New Plymouth. According to head coach Larkham, the injury comes as a personal blow to Pocock who has worked  tirelessly to regain full fitness in time for the beginning of the domestic season and in what is a World Cup year, the openside flanker will be hoping for the quickest of recovery periods possible.

Warning for JJ: South African centre JJ Engelbrecht has been handed an official warning from the Citing Commissioner for a dangerous tackle which occurred during his side’s Super Rugby clash with the Stormers on Saturday. Engelbrecht, has been issued the warning following his part in what has been deemed a dangerous tackle on scrum half Nic Groom, an offence which match referee Jaco Peyper, deemed worthy of only a penalty. Under the new disciplinary action, any player who receives three official warnings from a citing commissioner, or three yellow cards (or a combination of the two), in the same Super Rugby season, will be required to go before a disciplinary panel for further review. Each yellow card or offence will be considered under the mitigating circumstances, after which further penalty shall be imposed if deemed necessary,

Ryan Sheady