Australian rugby has suffered a major blow ahead of the British and Irish Lions tour with confirmation likely Wallabies captain David Pocock will be out of action for at least six months.
Scans showed champion flanker Pocock suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligamen playing for the Brumbies in their 35-6 Super Rugby drubbing of the New South Wales Waratahs at Canberra Stadium.
Rated as the premier openside flanker in the world by his Brumbies replacement George Smith, Pocock was hurt when falling awkwardly in a tackle by fellow Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper.
He faces a knee reconstruction and is set to miss the three-test Lions series starting in June and the Wallabies' entire Rugby Championship campaign, as well as the rest of the Super Rugby season.
