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Pocock confirms move to Panasonic Wild Knights on three-year deal

Dave Pocock had the best domestic and international season in 2015, and now the offers are flowing in. (AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU)
29th May, 2016
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David Pocock will join the Panasonic Wild Knights – the three-time reigning champions of the Japan National Rugby Union competition, Top League – on a three year-deal, beginning in December 2016 after the Wallabies’ spring tour.

The deal will then see Pocock take a six month sabbatical from the sport from February 2017 until he returns to the Wild Knights in August of that year to play a second season with them.

He will then play the 2018 and 2019 Super Rugby seasons with the Brumbies before returning to the Wild Knights for another season at the end of 2019.

The deal will see Pocock reunited with former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, now the head coach of the Wild Knights, an aspect of the deal that Pocock says he is looking forward to.

“I’m excited about playing for a club like the Panasonic Wild Knights. They have a proud history with a great playing group. I’m really looking forward to working with (head coach) Robbie (Deans) and Berrick again. When George Smith came back from Japan in 2012 he had added a few things to his game that we talked about quite a bit, so I’m keen to use the time over there to work on various aspects of my game. Playing with the Wild Knights will hopefully give me a chance to practice new skills and experience a different style of rugby,” Pocock said.

Deans said he was excited to have Pocock on board.

“We are delighted that David has chosen Panasonic as a team that can assist him in fulfilling his ambitions in rugby. I have no doubt that he will enjoy the people at the club. David has been typically thorough in mapping out his future and we look forward to having him with us over the next few years.”

The statement released confirmed that Pocock will continue his commitment to representing Australia in international games for the next three years.

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“I really appreciate the opportunity the ARU have offered me to stay in the Australian rugby union set up. My goal is to continue to improve and be at my best in 2019,” Pocock said.

“I was drawn to the Panasonic Wild Knights for their focus on team building and their company ethos of ‘a Better Life, A Better World’. I’m also not a big city guy so the opportunity to play in Ōta is really appealing.”

The deal will give Pocock a chance to gain greater familiarity with conditions in Japan in preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

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