Former Wallabies captain David Pocock has slammed the use of homophobic slurs in the ACT Brumbies derby against the NSW Waratahs, saying: "You can be the toughest man in the world, but it's got nothing to do with that sort of language."

An agitated Pocock made referee Craig Joubert address alleged homophobic slurs from a Waratahs forward as NSW clinched a 28-13 win in a fiery Australian contest at Allianz Stadium.

The Brumbies reported two incidents to SANZAR and will allege the word f----- was used to sledge two different ACT players in the second half of the match.

Pocock didn't directly hear what was said, but was approached by several Brumbies players who expressed their concerns.

Pocock pleaded with Joubert to take action after separate occasions, which is understood to have been by the same NSW player, saying on the field: "You heard that sir ... you can't say that, there could be gay players out there."

He continued: "That's fine, but after that their captain said: 'That's rugby.' That's not right, we can't tolerate that.'"

Pocock did not want to incident to become a witch hunt, but expressed his disappointment and said the Brumbies were taking a stand against the use of homophobic slurs.

"As players, we've said the Brumbies aren't going to tolerate any homophobic slurs, I just made that clear to the referee that it's unacceptable. You can be the toughest man in the world, but it's got nothing to do with using that sort of language," Pocock said.

"I certainly haven't heard much in the last few years. I guess in the last year or two Australian rugby has started to address, and rightly so from Bill Pulver right down, that there's no room for homophobic language in our sport and we want to make it inclusive.

"Where you start is quelling out that sort of language. I didn't hear it myself, I was just making the referee aware of it so he could act.

"Our job as players is to quell it out. That's what we did, I don't think it should be a witch hunt. It's about educating the players and ensuring that rugby does become more inclusive."

Joubert approached Wallabies captain and Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper and asked him to address the NSW players about "aggressive accusations of homophobic slurs".

"We're not into that," Hooper said on the field.

Brumbies captain Stephen Moore also said to Joubert: "That's unacceptable ... we won't tolerate that."

Pocock has been a passionate campaigner for marriage equality and same-sex marriage rights. He said he categorised homophobia with "racism and all sorts of other things that aren't good enough."

Pocock said it was disappointing to hear the disgusting language on the field and that sport reflected what was happening in society, but is confident "the tide had turned".

"We've just got to take a stand as players and move forward," Pocock said.

"In many ways what happens in sport reflects what's happening in society. The tide has turned on this, becoming more inclusive and moving towards acceptance and marriage equality at some point is going to happen.

"I very much see sport playing a role in that."

The incident was a black mark on a rugby battle in front of more than 27,000 fans, with the Waratahs scoring three tries to one.

SANZAR could cite a NSW player over the incident, but what punishment and whether the allegations can be proved is unknown.

Rugby has worked strongly to build an strong inclusion culture in recent years, including an inclusion policy last year to stamp out all forms of discrimination and homophobia in rugby.

Pocock hoped the slur would not undo Australian rugby's good work of the past.

The NRL investigated a homophobic slur incident last year, with the referee's microphone picking up a comment directed to Queensland under-20s player and rising Canberra Raider Luke Bateman.

The Bateman incident came less than a month after the NRL, the ARU, Football Federation Australia, the AFL and Cricket Australia jointly announced they were committed to policies to stamp out homophobia in their sports.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham confirmed the Brumbies were investigating the incident.

"It was reported [as directed at players], we'll just have to talk to individuals and see what the process is," said Brumbies captain Stephen Moore.

Pocock praised Joubert for the way he handled the situation.

"I thought Craig was outstanding, if you don't hear it you can't deal with it," Pocock said.

"He did all he could do. He said, 'yes, I note that. It's unacceptable.' What else can you do?"

AT A GLANCE

NSW WARATAHS 28 (Bernard Foley, Israel Folau, Tolu Latu tries; Foley 2 conversions; Foley 2, Kurtley Beale penalties) bt ACT BRUMBIES 13 (Matt Toomua try; Christian Lealiifano conversion, penalty) at Allianz Stadium on Sunday. Referee: Craig Joubert. Crowd: 27,469.