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.
“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.
Scott
Guest
Still after one hour you are moderating my post? Why?
ken
Guest
New Zealand has wonderful scenery, the only downside is New Zealanders live there..
ken
Guest
nickoldschool is old school and hasn't been out of his own neighbourhood..
ken
Guest
Oh well 2017 will be the a year The Wallbies won`t have a true 7,.. Doesn`t really matter we wont win the Bledisloe this year with the muppetts Chieka will call back from Europe and select for Australia..
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Apparently he's playing 2019/2020. Back end of a shortened RWC year. Works well.
John R
Roar Guru
Same with New Zealand. Auckland city if the cautionary tale of what not to do in regards to heritage era architecture. Residents there are quite rightly po'd about how all of those buildings were torn down. Wellington did a much better job of preserving it's heritage architecture.
PeterK
Roar Guru
yes they reported that however only the details of 2 japanese seasons have been given. Since 2019 is a rwc year I would be surprised if he plays 2017/8 in japan, super rugby 2018, wallabies 2018 and another japanes season 2018/2019. No break and a full rwc.
AndyS
Guest
Cheers TWAS...one of those things that, as soon as you see it, you wonder why you couldn't remember that.
Jamie
Guest
Ardie savea will overtake him as the best 7 in the world in a year or two. He's more rounded athlete. It'll be a case of david who?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Isn't it a 3 year deal Peter?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Ag science. It's really the experience of studying at Cambridge or Oxford people do it for, not necessarily the benefit that course will have over anything anywhere else.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Tell me about it mate. What a c---, having the gall to stand up for things he believes in. He should be out sinking p---, taking drugs and cheating on his wife like real men!
Boz the Younger
Guest
As everybody here loves to remind everybody else during such discussions, you are all entitled to your opinions. Personally I just don't like too much politics mixed with my rugby and I like number 7s who can do more than one or two of the multiple skills they required. Pocock fails to deliver on both counts and as far as I am concerned, shouldn't let the door slap him on the backside on the way out of the country. Train without a terminus ... you do realise how your handle abbreviates don't you? I couldn't write it because the naughty word filter would have gotten me, PMSL! Anyway, kvetch .... good word :-).
ebop
Guest
Good on him indeed. Hope he makes lots and lots of money so when he retires one day he can look back and think he has made all the money he possibly could in rugby whilst staring at his medals and stuff in the pool room.
Don
Roar Rookie
Not sure about Millers Point but what is happening with preservation of the original workers cottages at The Rocks and developments like the Finger Wharf are good examples of commerce and preservation coexisting. And I cannot agree with Boomeranga more. Go bush young man. Even not very far bush, Bendigo, Ballarat, NSW Central Highlands etc. The one place that can be accused of having zero repsect for preserving heritage is my hometown - Brisbane. Blame Joh... Having travelled through most of Aus and being fortunate enough to live and work in every Capital except Hobart and Canberra (although I've been to Canberra many times), I love our country but still really enjoy my annual trip to NZ. Both nations have so much to offer but the Sth Island of NZ thrills me every time.
Targa
Guest
Just don't mention whale hunting! Just as bad as elephant poaching but he might have contractual obligations to keep his mouth shut.
Train Without A Terminus
Guest
You really are a kvetch Boz, get the older one to comment, he might be OK.
Steve
Guest
That's an overall weird thing to say...
Train Without A Terminus
Guest
With respect if in Australia we had 30% of the population density of Japan (and lived the way we do) we'd be lucky if dogs and cats were still able to live with us.
Boomeranga
Guest
I disagree. Get out of the big places and I think you'll find most little towns have at least one festival a year that intends to celebrate what they see as special in their part of the world.