Brumbies set to agree on David Pocock sabbatical in bid to keep the flanker in Canberra

THE Brumbies have agreed to David Pocock taking a sabbatical year in the hope of keeping the star flanker away from the Reds and cashed-up European clubs.

Brumbies Training/portraits

THE Brumbies have done a backflip and agreed to David Pocock taking a sabbatical year in the hope of keeping the star flanker in Canberra long-term.

The club’s revised position came as Queensland admitted publicly they are interested in poaching Pocock and reports in the UK suggested English club Wasps could make the Wallaby No.7 a world record $3 million salary offer.

As revealed by the Daily Telegraph last week, Pocock wants considering a year off to study in the UK next year and it now appears all-but certain ARU will sign off on the sabbatical as part of a deal that will see the 27-year-old commit through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

David Pocock looks set to get his year off — if he stays with the Brumbies.

Asked about Pocock’s future, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika appeared resigned to losing him for a year but content that he’d be back on deck for the next World Cup.

“I have been really happy with (talks). Brian Levine, his manager, and David have both been straight up with us from day one and that’s given us a nice simple target to try and achieve, and to put our best package forward for him to stay and play rugby here,” Pocock said.

“He is obviously going to get massive offers overseas because the clubs are loaded and he is one of the best players in the world. He is a smart guy, he will make the right choice.”

Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones declared last week he would not offer Pocock a sabbatical, but perhaps sensing the imminent danger of losing their marquee star, the club’s boss has changed his mind.

“I said very early on that I would prefer there to not be a sabbatical but at the end of the day, he is the best player in the world and we want to retain him,” Jones said.

“If that is the price we have to pay, ​that’s the price we have to pay.”

David Pocock looks set to get his year off — if he stays with the Brumbies.

In a late twist, however, Reds coach Richard Graham admitted on Wednesday that Pocock is a player they are keen to lure to Ballymore after Liam Gill announced he was moving to Toulon.

“I have history with Dave from the Western Force and know him well. He is an outstanding footballer. The fact he is off contract there is going to be a lot of interest from everywhere,” Graham said.

“Are we interested? With Liam (Gill) going, we have to look at what we do in that space and David is certainly one of those guys we would be interested in.”

Queensland declaring interest in Pocock is significant given they have a longstanding reputation of avoiding all talk of recruitment targets, particularly if there is a chance they may miss out.

Pocock grew up in Brisbane after emigrating from Zimbabwe, and his family all still reside there. But Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham believes Pocock has also put down roots in Canberra, and hopes he’ll choose to continue playing with the ACT side.

“I think Canberra is special to both David and (wife) Emma,” Larkham said.

“But this is a decision he has to make and we are not putting any pressure on him. We would love to have someone of his calibre and other franchises would too. But people have different priorities in life and David has aspirations outside of rugby. So we will wait and see what his decision is.

“For his peace of mind he is looking to make a decision by the start of the season.”

Wallabies coach Michael Chieka expects Pocock to “make the right decision”.

Pocock is believed to be interested in furthering his education in the UK but also using his profile to work on social justice and charity projects. There is strong talk Pocock may also look to play a stint in Europe, or possibly Japan, before returning to Australia in 2018.

There is no shortage of overseas interest, and English club Wasps are one of the clubs who have reportedly talked paycheques with the star flanker that could see him surpass Dan Carter’s $2.8m a year deal in France.

That sort of money would make Pocock the highest paid player in the world and while it is not unfeasible, Cheika and Jones said the flanker wasn’t motivated by money alone.

“David is a very different guy. What you see is what you get,” Jones said.

“There is no trickiness behind it. He actually has other things in his life besides rugby. Rugby is his job and he wants to pursue some other bits and pieces while he can, and can use his profile. I respect that enormously.”

Originally published as Brumbies set to agree on David Pocock sabbatical in bid to keep the flanker in Canberra