David Pocock after his knee surgery. Credit:Jay Cronan He is starting a nine-month rehabilitation, ruling him out of almost two years of rugby and limiting him to just five games for the Brumbies since signing a lucrative three-year deal at the start of 2013. Some questioned if the 25-year-old would be able to recapture his best form after back-to-back knee injuries. But Pocock, rated as one of the world's best openside flankers when fit, has no doubt he can return to his peak. "I hope to be back better than before ... there are no sure things in sport but I'll do everything I can to get back there," Pocock said.

"I came to Canberra for a new challenge and a change and it's been that. I've loved everything about it ... apart from the injuries. "I do want to repay the Brumbies for the opportunity they gave me and hopefully I can do that next year. "This isn't career-ending ... there's a lot to do before I get back playing again. But the World Cup is what every player in Australia is chasing next year ... to get that you have be in good form and that's the goal." Pocock met with Wallabies great Horan in Canberra on Wednesday. Horan suffered an horrific injury in 1994 and was told he would never play elite rugby again. But Horan played for the Wallabies at the 1995 World Cup and continued his outstanding career.

Pocock has also spoken with Raiders playmaker Campese, who had two knee reconstructions in 2010 and 2012, and is considering copying Campese's decision to kayak on Lake Burley Griffin as part of the recovery. "People like [Horan and Campese] prove it can be done. There are a lot of guys who have come back from two knee reconstructions," Pocock said. Pocock's left knee buckled under his weight when he attempted to change directions against the Force. However, he initially hoped he would miss just two weeks because of minor damage to his anterior cruciate ligament. It wasn't until surgeon Peter Myers did an arthroscope on Pocock's knee that the 46-Test Wallaby realised his season was over.

Pocock was kept awake in the initial part of the surgery while doctors assessed the damage, before giving the all clear for Myers to do a full reconstruction to repair the damaged ligaments. "To be honest, it hasn't been the best two weeks," Pocock said. "But I guess you have to stop thinking, 'why did this happen to me'? and change to 'what can I make of this opportunity'? "I want to be out there, I haven't enjoyed my rugby this much in a long time. "I never contemplated giving [rugby] away. This is a challenge, but I don't see it as career-ending, that's for sure."

Pocock said the injuries had taken a mental toll, admitting watching from the sideline was the hardest part of his recovery. "In the scheme of things, a knee reconstruction is pretty small compared to what a lot of people in society are going through. "Having involvement outside of rugby is important, so you're not in a little bubble and this isn't the end of the world."