Super Rugby
Michael Cheika confident Wallabies have met David Pocock's demands
Sam Bruce
February 17, 2016
© Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika remains optimistic David Pocock will spurn a variety of mega overseas offers and commit his future to Australian rugby.

The race to secure the Wallabies back-rower's signature ramped up overnight when it was revealed English club Wasps were prepared to pay around $A3 million to bring Pocock to the Aviva Premiership.

The 27-year-old Brumbies star is also weighing up the option of a one-year sabbatical from rugby to study abroad, reportedly at either Cambridge or Oxford, before returning to Australia for the two-year run to the next Rugby World Cup in Japan.

But Pocock became a big fan of Cheika's Wallabies environment at last year's World Cup and that relationship may yet prove to be the difference as the back-rower approaches his final decision.

"I've been really happy," Cheika said of the contract talks. "I think that Brian Levine, his manager, and David, have been straight up with us from day one and that's given us a really nice simple target to try to achieve and put our best package forward for him to stay and play rugby here.

"He's obviously going to get massive offers overseas because clubs are loaded and he's one of the best players in the world; so you put two and two together and you're going to get that result.

"But I think that because they've given us a really clear indication of what he wants to try to do it's given us the opportunity to present a good a package as we can and he's a smart guy - he'll make the right choice."

Despite Cheika's optimism, it is understood Pocock is leaning towards the sabbatical option in a bid to give his body a break.

The Brumbies would be the big losers should that turn out to be the case with the club already set to lose Wallabies Matt Toomua, Stephen Moore and Joe Tomane at the end of the season.

There have also been reports Pocock is interested in a return to his home state of Queensland and a move to the struggling Reds.

Brumbies boss Stephen Larkham was more reserved than Cheika in discussing Pocock's future, but said he too had enjoyed an open dialogue.

"I've had a couple of one-on-one chats with him and he's spoken to a number of the boys as well about what his options are," Larkham told ESPN.

"And we're aware he has a number of different options, including now this one overnight from Wasps for some sort of ridiculous money.

"So he's got a lot to weigh up and we're not trying to put pressure on him; we're not trying to force him into a decision too soon.

"But I think for his peace of mind, and he's stated this, that he wants to get a decision made by the start of the season; so like everyone else we're going to be waiting for that decision."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.