Australia's Pocock mulls 1-year sabbatical

Star Australian backrower David Pocock is considering a one-year sabbatical from rugby to study in England, a report said, with the Wallabies and his club in talks over his future. The number eight, who recovered from two knee reconstructions in two years to play a stunning role for Australia at the World Cup last year, may take off the whole of 2017 before returning in time for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. His Australian Rugby Union contract expires on December 31 and discussions are underway with ACT Brumbies chief executive Michael Jones and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, the Sydney Daily Telegraph said. "It creates all sorts of problems if Poey takes a break," Jones told the newspaper. "My preferred solution, and our offer to him, doesn't allow a break. There is still a fair bit of water to go under the bridge." The boss of the breakdown, Pocock's immense value to Australia was never more apparent at the World Cup where he was the Wallabies best player. In a separate interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Jones said he hoped the situation would be resolved in the next week to 10 days.
 Source: AFP