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Today at 8:16 AM
by Beth Newman
Brumbies and Wallabies flanker David Pocock has played his final Super Rugby game, the ACT club confirmed on Tuesday.
Pocock will speak at a press conference at 1:30pm AEST Tuesday, along with coach Dan McKellar and CEO Phil Thomson, where he will speak about his future.
The Brumbies released a statement on Tuesday morning confirming Pocock's looming departure.
A niggling calf injury has kept Pocock out of action since March and with the World Cup coming up, a call was made between the Wallabies and Brumbies that Pocock would not be available in the "immediate future."
"David’s injury is a rare calf strain that is unfortunately not progressing as hoped and needs further time to heal," the statement read.
"No exact timeframe for a return to playing can be provided at this stage."
Pocock will head to Japan after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, to fulfil the final part of a three-year flexible contract he signed in 2016.
Pocock has played two Top League campaigns with the Panasonic Wild Knights, book ending a year-long sabbatical with Japanese seasons in 2017 and 2018, before returning to the Brumbies and Wallabies in 2018 and 2019.
He has not featured for the Brumbies since a round four clash against the Rebels and with just three matches left in the regular season, the odds of a Super Rugby return always appeared slim.
The openside has played 112 Super Rugby games since making his debut for the Western Force in 2006, but has missed 57 matches since moving to Canberra compared to the 43 he's played.
Two consecutive knee reconstructions crippled his 2013 and 2014 seasons before Pocock made an emphatic comeback to play a key role in the 2015 Super Rugby season and Rugby World Cup.
Pocock expressed his gratitude to the Brumbies in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Brumbies have given me a home for the last seven years. They've supported me through injury and given me the opportunity to work on my game and my leadership as part of an incredible group of men,” Pocock said in a statement.
“After 13 years of professional rugby, I'm looking forward to the challenges the rest of this year holds and also thinking about what comes next.
“The Brumbies and all supporters have been very good to me since my move to Canberra in 2013. I am grateful for their support.
"Over the last seven years, Canberra has well and truly become my home. Em and I love living here and being part of the community."
Whether Pocock continues his Wallabies career beyond 2019 is still unclear, with the flanker still eligible for Test rugby even if he is based offshore.
Pocock's body has been battered in a 13-year professional career, with neck injuries the most recent concern for the flanker, who forewent an end-of-year trip to try and strengthen that body part.
Last week, McKellar admitted Pocock may already have played his final Brumbies match with the World Cup the ultimate goal for the breakaway.
The Brumbies have already moved to shore up their back row department for 2020 and beyond, re-signing Rob Valetini and Tom Cusack and the ACT club are also believed to be interested in bringing Waratahs flanker Will Miller to the capital.
While Pocock's move will leave a big hole in the Brumbies back row, the next tier have stepped up this season in his absence.
Cusack and Pete Samu have been in superb form for the Brumbies along with new recruit Jahrome Brown.
The Brumbies head to Tokyo this week to take on the Sunwolves.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/0...ess-conference