Pocock to retire from Test rugby after World Cup

With a battered and bruised body and having already pulled the pin on Super Rugby at a scheduled press conference in May, it was little surprise that Pocock, the once-in-a-generation back-rower with 77 Tests to his name, was going to call it a day after the World Cup.

How he went about making it official was unclear.

The two-time John Eales medallist is the king of deflecting questions about himself or personal achievements and making it about the team, which is why it will come as no surprise how things transpired in the lead-up to him letting everyone know the Rugby World Cup in Japan would be his swansong in a Wallabies jersey.

After spending six months trying to get back on the park following a complicated calf injury, Pocock was named at No.7 and Australia's captain on Wednesday for their Test against Samoa at Bankwest Stadium.

Pocock, 31, finally made his mind up on Thursday that the curtain would come down on his illustrious career - the words of others, not his, of course.

He did not want a press release. No bells and whistles, he insisted, because that's just not his thing.

That is in no way saying others who have announced the Samoa Test on Saturday will be their final hurrah on Australian soil - think Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Will Genia - were self-centred, but a selfless Pocock had to be coerced once he saw others go.

Being captain meant Pocock was scheduled to front a room of reporters at ANZ Stadium following Australia's captain's run on Friday.

His plan was to bring up the whole retirement thing only if it came up. He hadn't even told teammates.

Six minutes into the press conference, the line of questioning was mostly about his recovering calf and how he thought it would fare in his first match since March 8.

Pocock then subtly picked his moment when asked about the sense of occasion around other teammates playing their final international on home turf.

MORE RUGBY

"On a personal note it adds a bit," said Pocock, to raised eyebrows. "You reflect on the time you've had in a Wallabies jersey, what you've tried to add, the legacy you hope you'll leave and then just the opportunity to play in front of family and friends one last time. That's all great but it all comes down to the team effort really ... we know that without a good team performance it won't be as special."

Pocock was then asked: "So David, do you think this will be your last game in Australia?"

"I think so, yeah," he replied.

And with four words, Australia's breakdown warrior had just confirmed what Wallabies fans had been dreading for years but knew was coming.

Once it was out there, Pocock opened up on what impact the game had had on him since his arrival from Zimbabwe with his family at age 14.

"As an immigrant, rugby has provided me with somewhere to make friends, to feel like I belong and obviously huge opportunities to play professional rugby at the Force, Brumbies and Wallabies," he said.

"I'm not done just yet, there will be plenty of time to reflect on it. I'm very much wanting to get back out there and get back to my best rugby and contribute over the next couple of months.

"I feel like it's time to move onto other things and contribute in other areas.

"Looking at the flankers coming through, I think we're in good hands and that is exciting for Australian rugby.

"I feel like I've put a lot into it and really enjoyed it and benefited a huge amount."