Pocock praised for helping concussed Crotty

Cape Town - Wallaby David Pocock has again shown why he is the class act of international rugby.

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According to the Stuff website, rather than chasing play, Pocock went to the aid of All Black Ryan Crotty immediately after the centre was floored by a hit to the head by his team-mate Jack Goodhue early in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.

As play continued at ANZ Stadium, Australia No 8 Pocock's priority was to check on the wellbeing of Crotty who was felled by friendly fire as the two New Zealand midfielders went in for a tackle.

It was Crotty's sixth concussion in the last 18 months and worries swirl around the future of the star centre.

Pocock's unselfish actions earned high praise from All Blacks flank Sam Cane, a player who has also had his share of concussion issues.

"It speaks pretty highly of his character and the type of guy he is if he's willing to put the battle to one side in that moment and put the player's welfare first," said Sam Cane, the All Blacks openside flanker and Pocock's chief breakdown rival.

"So, thank you David."

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Crotty has been ruled out of the rematch with the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday although medical checks after the match suggest he will be OK for involvement in the Rugby Championship further down the line.

"It concerns us, definitely," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen of Crotty's ongoing issues.

"He's already seen a specialist and they've given him the all-clear. From our understanding as long as you fully recover and don't go back when you're not fully recovered, then you're OK.

The All Blacks came back from a 6-5 half-time deficit to beat Australia 38-13.