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Wallabies player David Pocock has received a formal written warning from the Australian Rugby Union following his arrest in a coal mine protest in north-west NSW.
The injured former captain chained himself to machinery with several others on Sunday, as about 30 protesters joined a blockade at the Maules Creek mine in the Leard Forest.
After 10 hours, Pocock, 26, was among seven people arrested by Narrabri Police and charged with offences including entering enclosed land without a lawful excuse.
“While we appreciate David has personal views on a range of matters, we’ve made it clear that we expect his priority to be ensuring he can fulfil his role as a high-performance athlete,” an ARU statement said.
“The matter is now subject to legal proceedings and we will now let the legal process take its course.”
Pocock is due to appear in Narrabri Local Court on January 14.
“I know some are very uncomfortable with breaking the law, but I feel that nonviolent direct action in the face of coal mines and climate change draws on a long history of civil disobedience being used to highlight injustice. #leardblockade,” Pocock tweeted on Monday.
Pocock hasn’t played with the Wallabies since undergoing a knee reconstruction in March.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.