Surgery pushes Pocock's Brumbies return back three months

David Pocock’s return to the Brumbies will have to wait another three months after he underwent knee surgery ahead of the new Super Rugby season.

Australia international Pocock skipped the previous campaign to take a sabbatical, though he did feature in the Wallabies’ last set of internationals at the end of 2017.

The back-row forward complained of an injury upon his return to the Brumbies from his second season in Japan’s Top League, where he finished as a runner-up with Panasonic Wild Knights.

An operation was required and Pocock could miss the Canberra franchise’s opening eight Super Rugby matches.

“Upon David Pocock’s return from playing in Japan he sought advice for a complaint with his knee,” read a Brumbies statement.

“Following consultation with his orthopaedic surgeon, the Brumbies and David were informed that it would be in the best interest of both parties that he underwent a minor operative procedure.

“The surgery took place [on] Saturday 20 January, and identified damage to his meniscus. His timeline for return to play is up to three months.

“After appropriate post-operative rehabilitation, David is expected to make a full recovery.”