SYDNEY – The ACT Brumbies will ease superstar David Pocock back into Super Rugby slowly, after the Wallaby took a heavy knock in their loss against the Melbourne Rebels last week.
Pocock was forced from the field when he failed a head injury assessment in the opening five minutes after a hit in the Brumbies' first Super game of the season on Friday.
That follows the neck injury he suffered during the Wallabies November win in Italy, which ruled him out of the following Test against England.
Brumbies teammate Scott Sio said the team were monitoring his progress.
“I think it's good what world rugby are doing around head knocks. We don't know the extent of it, the effects that it can have and having one not too long ago... against Italy,” Sio told reporters Tuesday.
“I know Poey would want to play and it looks to me he's not affected by any symptoms, but we've just got to take the right measures there and make sure his health is the priority as well.”
David Pocock in action for Australia against the All Blacks in 2018. Photo: Peter Meecham/EPA
The 30-year-old Australian player of the year has had a terrible run of injuries that saw his off-season interrupted by neck and calf issues.
The Brumbies will play the Waikato Chiefs at home on Saturday and travel to Wellington to face the Hurricanes on March 1.
Pocock's health will be closely watched by the Wallabies ahead of the World Cup in Japan from September to November.