David Pocock
David Pocock’s principled stand against homophobia on the field will cost him any chance of captaining Australia again, says former Wallaby Greg Martin.
Pocock’s on-field complaints to the referee led to Waratahs forward Jacques Potgieter being fined AU$ 20 000.00 for using homophobic slurs during his side’s win over the Brumbies on Sunday.
Respected rugby commentator Martin says Pocock did the right thing in speaking out but his action will split opinion in the game.
“He’ll pay for it. It will mean that he will never captain the Wallabies again,” Martin told Brisbane’s Triple M radio on Tuesday.
“What he’s done, he hasn’t fractured the game down a Waratahs-Brumbies line… It won’t be fractured down like that, but it will be fractured upon clear-thinking, modern-thinking footballers who will support David Pocock and the more old school, hard heads who will say that was a disgrace he shouldn’t have done that.
“There are schools of thought both ways, but that will break it down the line.”
It’s the 2nd time in 6 months Pocock has taken a public stance on an issue, after he was arrested in November for chaining himself to a digger in a protest against the opening of a coal mine inside a New South Wales state forest.
Pocock captained the Wallabies under former coach Robbie Deans in 2012, before consecutive serious knee injuries blighted his career.
But Martin believed the Australian Rugby Union would no longer be comfortable with having him as national team captain.
“They have a role to play in appointing the Australian captain because he is the voice box,” Martin said.
“They’ll get worried that he will get up on his soapbox about all sorts of issues.
“Do you want that when they are not your principles?
“He’s getting his own principles out there and they are strong principles but maybe the ARU won’t want that and they will go ‘hold on, loose cannon.
“Maybe he can play and be a member but he can’t be our leader and our voice piece’.”
Meanwhile Australia’s 1st gay rugby union team, the Sydney Convicts, have invited the apologetic Potgieter to train with them and watch some of their matches in the wake of his homophobic slurs toward Brumbies players.
“We often find that people using this kind of language don’t fully understand the harmful effects it can have on those around them, particularly those struggling to accept their own sexuality,” Convicts president Robert McPherson said.
“We would welcome Jacques to come down to meet the boys and hear their stories, which is why we will invite him to join us for a few of our training sessions and to watch a few games.
“He would quickly recognise that being gay has no impact on a person’s ability to play rugby or their passion for the game.”
rugby365
If I was Pottie, I would lay a complaint that Pocock is anti- South Africa.
As Gunther mentioned, the Aussies are the worst sledgers in the history….so maybe it’s not a homophobic issue, but merely the fact that a SAFFA said something.
Vat hom hof toe Pottie
@ nortie:
š
gunther wrote:
It might be true but it does not mean that Pocock has to follow suit.
His views on this issue are well documented and therefore it came as no surprise that he did what he did. In fact, as he is a man of principle he had no option to speak out.
We are not dealing with Merv Hughes here š
robzim wrote:
Rob, let me give you some background
I worked two jobs for five years in the 90ās, my day job and I worked at Front-of-House at the State Theatre in Pretoria at nights and on weekends
Nearly all the guys I worked with were gay and over time you appreciate how hard it must be to realize you are different than the others
Especially in the old SA where everything was illegal
It was really, really hard
Some of the guys parents disowned them when they came out
A few of the guys even committed suicide
I have lots of empathy for them, they didnāt make themselves that way
27 @ gunther:
That’s about how I feel about the issue too.
A mountain being made from a molehill.
Sure, it’s not PC to use the “faggot” word in modern-day society… just like some other words have also become a no-no.
But I also believe it was done in the heat of the moment and was milked by Pocock for all it was worth to try and milk a penalty or a Card.
The furore that it’s blown into is rather freegin ridiculous… the player has been punished… let’s move on!
I reckon SARU must fire Lawrence Sephaka immediately and appoint Pocock as coach of our women Bok team.
Lawrence jaag net kak aan and clearly isn’t in touch with his feminine side, so he struggles to deal with the ladies.
I think David is just the MAN for the job…..or should I rather say, the man for the work or post or coaching position?
@ Victoriabok:
@34
That is fair. I have seen the same and as you said they did not make themselves that way.
robzim wrote:
If it was intended to be homophobic I would protest as hard as you (read my aother posting)
There was no intent by Pottie to be homophobic I can guarantee you that, you’re not dealing with a rocket scientist here
He probably tried “fok jou jou p***” a few times without effect and then used the only English swearword he knew
37 @ robzim:
No, their mothers made them that way… hehehe
Just a feeble little joke, no offense intended… really!
38 @ Victoriabok:
Bwahahaha,
Ja, ou Jackpot lyk vir my ookie soos ‘n breinchirurg nie….
robzim wrote:
Unfortunately the sport is still that way
Could you see Dean Greyling and Coenie Oosthuizen discussing gender equality over a cup of Chai Latte?
You’re dealing with 260 pound Neanderthals beating each other up for 80 minutes on weekends and training for it during the week
Sensitivity training ain’t gonna cut it
Victoriabok wrote:
Better chance that they might discuss the gear ratios of Ford Cortina V8’s over a double brandy and klippies I guess.
42 @ robzim:
I would say they would be more inclined to discuss the numbies of the girl that just walked past… hahaha
grootblousmile wrote:
What a weird country Australia is….if you play rugby and get caught trading in or possessing cocaine you get a $2000 fine……but if you call an opponent a name on the field you get a $10 000 fine š
Lekker deur die kak as jy my vra
You know that they call Pocock “Bam-bam”?
Wonder why……..
Whenever I am confronted with a moral dilemma such as this one I think…..
WWJCD??
Stormersboy wrote:
When and who do the Brumbies play in SA this year?
Imagine what the spectators are going to say to Pocock?
Stormersboy wrote:
I have my answer….
Attachment:
Stormersboy wrote:
My niece pitched up with a “WWJD” bracelet
My nephew asked if it stands for
Wat Wil Jy Drink
Mine has a C in it.
What Would Johnny Cash Do?….
34: wat is volgende, die kindermolesteerder of verkragter wat redeneer – “ek het myself nie so gemaak nie”?
33: nou wat is ‘n “man of principle” ? Hoof van ‘n skool?
Even when they claim they don’t need men…..they still need the woody
Attachment:
Ben-die-Bul wrote:
Gert van Rooyen was nie gay nie
Om gay te wees dit maak jou nie outomaties ‘n kindermolesteerder nie
nortie wrote:
‘n Lekker, harde, Hardekool stomp met growwe bas?
Gotta love a take by this on Bakkies Botha.
Picture this. 2009 Lions tour to SA.
Bakkies has Mike Phillips by the throat. And about to punch.
And then winks at him and says: ” How about dinner Tuesday?’
š
nortie wrote:
Vergelyk bietjie die vonnisse van iemand wat bedrog pleeg vir sĆŖ R50 000 en iemand wat die ontvanger met dieselfde bedrag verneuk?
Die regter sal sorg vir die bron van sy salaris en hy sal die belastingontduiker hard slaan
56: dit is juis die vraag, hoekom kon ou Gert nie redeneer soos die gays redeneer nie: ek is so gemaak?
My eie siening is natuurlik dat albei nie so gemaak is nie, albei is verkeerd en nie victims daarvan nie, dit is hulle eie keuses.
My groot probleem is dat gays dink hulle is special people wat voorregte moet geniet, en skuil agter die leuen dat hulle dit nie gekies het nie.
Nee, Pocock, iemand kies om gay te wees, net soos iemand kies om sy vrou te verneuk of ‘n kind te molesteer.
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