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 14 January.
“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.
He later added on his online blog: “My parents were always clear with my brothers and I when we were growing up that you have to have the courage of your convictions and that when you commit to something you must fully commit.
“That’s why, this weekend I travelled to the Leard Blockade to meet with farmers, activists and fellow Canberrans who are deeply concerned about the expansion of the Maules Creek Mine in the Leard State Forest.
“A group of us decided to take part in an action that would disable a super digger while we occupied it and raise awareness about the plight of the Maules Creek community, the Leard State Forest, the local Gamilaroi whose country and sacred sites are being destroyed, and all of us who are beginning to suffer the impacts of climate change.”
Pocock has not played with the Wallabies since undergoing a knee reconstruction in March.
