David Pocock

Allegations of homophobic slurs marred a resounding return to form for defending champions the Waratahs, who delivered a 28 / 13 win over arch rivals the Brumbies in Sydney on Sunday.

It is understood a NSW forward will be investigated for allegedly using the word “faggot” when addressing two different Brumbies players in the second half of the blockbuster derby at Allianz Stadium. The Brumbies made a formal complaint after the match.

Brumbies flanker David Pocock took the allegation to referee Craig Joubert in the 67th minute as his side trailed by 10 points, and made his concerns known again in the 72nd minute. Joubert said he did not hear the remarks – allegedly made at scrum time – but asked NSW captain Michael Hooper to have a word to his forwards.

“I’m getting some pretty aggressive comments coming from your guys – that there are homophobic slurs,” Joubert said. Hooper replied: “We’re not into that”.

But that did little to satisfy Pocock, who is a vocal supporter for same sex marriage rights.

“You heard that sir … you can’t say that, there could be gay players out there.” Pocock continued: “That’s fine, but after that their captain said: ‘That’s rugby’. That’s not right.”

No further complaints were made on the field but the tension, fierce between the rival packs all afternoon, boiled over twice, with players shirt-fronting each other. No punches were thrown.

The defending champions still languish 6 points behind the Australian conference leaders but earnt bragging rights with the 3 tries to 1 win.

Waratahs coach Michael Cheika said he heard Pocock’s exchange with Joubert on the field but did not hear the alleged insults and would wait until the facts of the matter were known before commenting. Brumbies captain Stephen Moore, who was off the field by the time Pocock raised the matter a 2nd time, said he heard the 1st slur but did not want to comment further.

In a week when the Waratahs desperately needed to bare their title-winning teeth, several key players stepped up. Israel Folau mustered his best performance of the season and his 1st try of the campaign, while departing prop Sekope Kepu helped set a platform for dominance that helped the Waratahs overcome a 7 / 0 deficit.

Back rower Jacques Potgieter banished recent error-ridden efforts to ramp up the physicality, while playmakers Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley pulled the strings nicely in attack.

The Waratahs dominated 1st-half possession and outscored the visitors 2 tries to 1, but the Brumbies defended with their lives to contain the deficit to 7 points. Matt Toomua slipped past Hooper to open the scoring in the 4th minute and Christian Lealiifano converted to make it 7 / 0 in the visitors’ favour.

The Waratahs swarmed the Brumbies’ line, sending Beale, a vintage Sekope Kepu and others up to test the defence. They looked sure to score when Brumbies flanker Scott Fardy was sin-binned for trying to knock down a Waratahs pass, but they had to settle for 3 points when the Brumbies infringed again.

Foley slotted the kick and his next 4 minutes later, also from inside the Brumbies’ 22. The Brumbies edged ahead 10 / 6 thanks to a marginal late tackle call against centre Matt Carraro and made it 13 / 6 after the Brumbies were awarded a scrum penalty.

Waratahs playmaker Beale was busy and inventive but completely wrapped up by Brumbies defenders. His attacking partner Folau had to be patient, but his chance came from a Nick Phipps pass in the 25th minute. Folau managed to give Tevita Kuridrani the slip on the right flank and passed to Foley who scored, then added the conversion to equalise with the visitors.

The Waratahs took the lead for the 1st time in the 31st minute when Folau struck again in the same part of the field. This time he teamed up with Carraro, passing to his No 13 then taking the inside ball to run over the line. Foley converted to put the Waratahs in front 20 / 13.

Toomua was taken off for a concussion test in the 34th minute but returned just before the end of the half, as the NSW attack threw everything they had at the Brumbies. Resolute defence and magnificent counter-rucking held off the blue tide under chants of “NSW”.

The defending champions ran to the sheds 20 / 13 in front. The Waratahs continued to play all the rugby in the 2nd period, and were rewarded with a penalty in the 45th minute. Beale took the shot from 48 metres out in the middle of the pitch and slotted it to give his team mates a 10-point buffer.

The Brumbies lacked urgency in parts of the game, notwithstanding stubborn defence. Their lineout-to-maul attack, a hitherto potent weapon, could not pierce the WaratahsNSW line, and Henry Speight lost control of the ball on the side’s closest approximation to a try in the 2nd half.

Another piece of brilliant attack from Folau was the home side’s crowning glory. The dual international took the ball from one end of the field to the other, leaving young hooker Tolu Latu to score the side’s final try.

Sydney Morning Herald