Pocock accuses Waratahs of homophobic slurs after Brumbies go down

THE Waratahs beat the Brumbies 28-13 yesterday to get their Super Rugby title defence back on track in a match that shone a light on the best and worst of Australian rugby.

Matches between the Waratahs and Brumbies are always bruising, physical battles and the clash at the Sydney Football Stadium kept faith with that tradition.

There were no fist fights but Brumbies flanker David Pocock, a vocal supporter of same-sex marriages, complained to the referee about homophobic slurs being made by the Waratahs players.

“If there’s an issue, it will come to light,” said Waratahs coach Michael Cheika who was reluctant to comment on the issue because he hadn’t heard what was alleged to have been said on the field.

“When it comes to light, I’ll make my position clear on it.”

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was also tightlipped when asked about the incident at the post-match news conference.

“We will investigate it further,” he said. “But I didn’t hear it and I wasn’t on the field.”

The Waratahs took the spoils in the match, thanks in part to some brilliant individual performances.

Fullback Israel Folau scored one try, threw the final pass for two others and looked dangerous every time he got his hands on the ball.

Flyhalf Bernard Foley scored a try and kicked two penalties and two conversions while Kurtley Beale made some strong runs from centre.

For the Brumbies, Matt Toomua scored a fine solo try in the third minute and Henry Speight was a constant threat on the wing.

The win lifted the Waratahs to eighth place after six rounds.

After arguably their worst performance of the season, the Brumbies are in second spot behind the unbeaten Hurricanes.

The match was also a chance for players to press their claims with Cheika, who is set to coach the Wallabies to this year’s World Cup.

His biggest concern would have been with the scrums. Time and time again, the scrums collapsed, forcing resets and resulting in free-kicks.

There was also some concern about Wallabies and Brumbies centre Tevita Kuridrani after he left the field with an apparent shoulder injury. – Reuters