Pocock not taking 'shortcuts'

Brumbies and Wallabies star David Pocock says he will not take any ''shortcuts'' to rush back for the British and Irish Lions tour as he faces up to six months on the sideline.

A gutted Pocock ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Brumbies' 35-6 trouncing of the Waratahs on Saturday and needs a knee reconstruction.

He has two options - a traditional reconstruction or the revolutionary LARS surgery, which can have players back on the field in three months. Pocock will meet surgeons on Monday to decide which option to take.

If he had LARS surgery, Australia's No 1 openside could conceivably be back on the field to play some part in the Wallabies' series against the Lions in June and July.

But given he is just 24, Pocock doesn't want to risk complications and will likely opt for the traditional operation where hamstring ligaments are used to strengthen the knee.

''Playing in the Lions tour has been a huge goal of mine, but when it comes to something like your knee, you can't risk it or take shortcuts,'' Pocock said.

''My priority now is getting it right and ensuring long term for the rest of my rugby I've got a strong and healthy knee, and I've got to give some thought to after rugby as well. I'm not sure how long we're looking at the moment, I'm gutted but I've got to move on, so I'm not too grouchy for the people around me.''

Most teams would be left struggling after losing a player of Pocock's calibre. But in a sign of the Brumbies' depth, 110-Test veteran George Smith will fill the No 7 duties as he continues his short-term stint in Canberra.

Smith's contract with the Brumbies expires on May 31 and he will return to Japan to rejoin Suntory with two rounds left in the Super Rugby season.

There could be room to negotiate, but Suntory is Smith's priority and it's understood a player cannot have two simultaneous contracts under IRB laws.

Pocock had to leave the field after just 13 minutes in the clash with the Waratahs.

He felt his knee get ''jammed'' when getting cleaned out by Adam Ashley-Cooper and his teammates heard a ''pop''.

Pocock was recruited to Canberra this season to boost the Brumbies' championship hopes and bid to make the finals for the first time since 2004.

He was also set to play a big part in the Wallabies' three-Test series against the Lions and is part of the Australian Test leadership group. The ACL tear is his first serious injury.