David Pocock has a reputation for doing the extraordinary on and off the field, but the ACT Brumbies superstar went above and beyond when he apologised for the incident that led to him being suspended by the Super Rugby judiciary.
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Pocock penned an open letter to say sorry for grabbing Waikato Chiefs player Michael Leitch around the neck when trying to defend a rolling maul last weekend, and went a step further to thank the officials who suspended him.
It was a sincere moment from a player regarded as one of the world's best, owning up to his error and showing genuine remorse.
Pocock took to social media on Wednesday night to post an apology for the way he grabbed Leitch's neck in the Chiefs 48-23 win at Canberra Stadium. He will miss the Brumbies' next two Super Rugby games.
Pocock said he hadn't lived up to the standards he expects, apologised to Leitch and even thanked SANZAAR and World Rugby for taking action to make the game safer.
"I am incredibly disappointed with my actions. I endeavour to play the game I love in a way that reflects the kind of toughness and decency I think rugby can teach us," Pocock said.
"On Saturday night I did not live up to those standards, placing Michael Leitch in danger by binding on his neck in a maul. It was not my intention to hurt Michael, but in these sorts of circumstances it is not intention that matters. I am grateful that World Rugby and SANZAAR are concerned about making the game safer for all of us."
Leitch appeared to try to tap out of Pocock's hold in the 74th minute, and Pocock was hit with a two-game suspension that has ruled him out of two of the Brumbies' biggest games of the season.
The Brumbies were disappointed that Pocock was hit with effectively a three-week ban given the club has a bye this weekend.
However, they pleaded guilty to the charge of playing a player without the ball in a dangerous position, a breach of Law 10.4 (e). The Brumbies also opted not to argue that Pocock would have played in Canberra's club competition this weekend in a bid to reduce the ban to one Super Rugby game.
It means he will miss Super Rugby matches against the NSW Waratahs and the Canterbury Crusaders as the Brumbies start a season-defining block of five games.
"I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again to Michael. And to apologise to the Chiefs, Brumbies and all those who follow rugby," Pocock said.
"I'd also like to apologise to my team mates who I will let down over the next few weeks while suspended."
Pocock has set himself apart from most professional sportsmen with his approach to the game on and off the field. He has been a passionate campaigner for his beliefs away from rugby and has stood by them during his career.
David Pocock's full statement:
Yesterday I faced the judiciary for the first time in my rugby career. I am incredibly disappointed with my actions. I endeavour to play the game I love in a way that reflects the kind of toughness and decency I think rugby can teach us.
On Saturday night I did not live up to those standards, placing Michael Leitch in danger by binding on his neck in a maul. It was not my intention to hurt Michael, but in these sorts of circumstances it is not intention that matters. I am grateful that World Rugby and SANZAAR are concerned about making the game safer for all of us.
I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again to Michael. And to apologise to the Chiefs, Brumbies and all those who follow rugby. I'd also like to apologise to my team mates who I will let down over the next few weeks while suspended.
Dave
