But the ACT Brumbies star will swap technology for makeshift gyms and running alongside rifle-carrying anti-poaching scouts as he prepares to disappear into the southern Africa wilderness.

Pocock has packed up and rented out his Canberra home as he edges closer to a 12-month sabbatical from his Australian rugby duties.

The 28-year-old will take a complete break from rugby from February until August, locking in stints in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa after linking with Wild Ark as a global ambassador for the conservation organisation.

It is hoped he will bounce back into Australian rugby mentally and physically refreshed when he returns, but before he goes he's on a mission to get back to his World Cup heroics of 12 months ago.

The Wallabies will fly to Europe on Friday and Pocock is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to turn his injury frustrations into on-field success, working in an altitude chamber to improve his fitness.

"Personally it's been a bit stop-start this year with a few broken bones, which I've never done before," Pocock said.

"You want to finish well before you take a break at any time and we'll be everything we can to do that.

"I'm really looking forward to this tour, it is exciting. It's been a pretty long year but we know we've got to work hard for six weeks and finish the year well."

Pocock is one of the first Australian rugby players to sign a sabbatical contract to give him time away from the Brumbies and Wallabies next year before returning in 2018 and 2019.

It means he faces the unusual situation of driving out of Canberra not knowing who his coach will be when he returns, with Stephen Larkham only signed to remain in the Brumbies position until the end of next year.

The champion flanker has a reputation for breaking the mould of professional athletes.

So instead of pina coladas and island resorts in his time off, Pocock will immerse himself in what he loves most – nature.

He will work with conservation organisation Wild Ark with partner Emma to raise awareness for the protection of wildlife in green belts around the world.

It will be a world away from the Wallabies' plush hotels in Europe and hostile crowds in Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland and England.

"We're pretty excited about it ... we will probably be based in Zimbabwe and hopefully do a bit of travel to meet some interesting people and do some interesting things," Pocock said.

"It will be a real luxury doing that and not having to be back in training two weeks later.

"I'm really interested to see how it works. If you look at the rhinos and what's happening to them, I think it's happening to the environment as a whole. There's a need for action.

"Wild Ark are concerned about these things and raising capital to buy land that's under pressure."

Pocock has only put limited plans in place for his time away from rugby to focus on finishing on a high.

He will juggle his time off between conservation work, touring Africa and playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan before returning to Australia.

After losing the World Cup final at the end of last year, Pocock detoured via Africa on his way home and spent time at the Sango Lodge in the Save Valley Conservancy at Malilangwe.

Most of his time was spent learning about and getting up close with rhinos, but it also meant throwing anti-poaching staff on his back for fitness sessions.

"There's still a big tour to go and that has certainly been my focus," Pocock said.

"We're going to spend some time at the rhino conservancy again, they've got a great little gym set-up and I'm not the kind of person to do nothing for six months.

"It's such a different form of exercise that it's a bit of a break, and I'm looking forward to it."