David Pocock has backed Rugby Australia's plan to manage player workloads this year, also revealing he has started specialised neck-strength training to prepare his body for a breakdown onslaught this year.
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But the star openside flanker says he will delay a decision about his long-term Australian rugby future after an illegal neck-roll tactic used by opponents prompted concerns about his longevity.
Pocock is set to be rested from the ACT Brumbies' trial game against the NSW Waratahs in Goulburn on February 7 as part of the Wallabies' rest plan to avoid burnout in a World Cup year.
It means the first game of the regular season on February 15 will be his first match since a neck injury ruled him out of Australia's clash against England on the spring tour in November.
Pocock, who is off contract at the end of the year, has been doing extra work away from Brumbies training in the hope it will help his neck cope with being targeted by opposition teams.
The Brumbies and Wallabies have called for a crackdown on the dangerous manoeuver but their concerns have so far fallen on deaf ears at Super Rugby and World Rugby headquarters.
"My focus in the break was to get my body right and work on things," Pocock said.
"I've seen a few specialists about my neck and I've been doing a lot of work with Tom Emerson at Praksis in Phillip to strengthen it. That's been great with some movement and flexibility stuff, as well as some other stuff in the gym.
"I'm hoping I can get it strong and healthy again. It's feeling good [at the moment], but I haven't done contact for a while. I've been pain free for a few weeks now, but we'll see how we go when I get back into contact."
Pocock will have to wait until the Brumbies play against the Melbourne Rebels in round one to see how his body handles another year of action.
The Wallabies are working with the Super Rugby franchises this year to rest key Test players during the season and from some training sessions.
It's likely Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa will miss the trial against the Waratahs but be available to play against the Rebels to start the regular season.
The Brumbies and the Wallabies were locked in a club versus country battle over the same three players last year, but Pocock said collaboration was crucial for this year and beyond.
"I think [collaboration] is a really positive development and going forward it's going to be crucial," Pocock said.
"The leadership there from [Rugby Australia boss Raelene Castle and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika], working with the Super teams ... look at the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the world, New Zealand and Ireland, they have a centralised system where they look after players.
"As a player you want to be working very hard and improving, but you also want to be looked after. As young guys coming into Super Rugby now, the amount they'll play if they play for 10 years ... those sorts of [management] measures are great."
Pocock is preparing to start his 13th season of Super Rugby and has committed to playing in Japan after the World Cup, but is yet to decide whether he will return to Canberra or Australia.
He is one of several Australian stars weighing up their options, while Melbourne Rebels lock Adam Coleman is expected to join fellow second-rowers Sam Carter and Rory Arnold moving abroad.
Pocock said he was in no rush to make a decision after making his Super Rugby debut in 2006 and playing 76 Tests for Australia.
He took a 12-month sabbatical from Australian rugby duties in 2017, but returned to the peak of his powers to win the John Eales Medal last year.
The Brumbies would love to keep Pocock in the capital, but the lure of shorter seasons overseas and a chance to experience something new could be too hard to ignore.
"My focus is just on Super Rugby at the moment and getting stuck into that. It's obviously a huge year for Australian rugby, so I want to be playing my best," Pocock said.
"Those decisions, I find, take time for me to think them through and try to make the right decision. So I'm in no real hurry, I'll talk to my manager and [partner] Emma and come up with a plan. We'll see over the next few months."
BRUMBIES PRE-SEASON
February 7: Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Goulburn, 6.30pm. Entry is free for Brumbies and Waratahs members.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND ONE
February 15: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm.
