Australian rugby super star David Pocock (pictured)  has inked a new deal that will see him remain in  Australia until after the 2019 World Cup.

There is an unusual proviso though, with the flanker set to take a year off in 2017 to pursue studies away from the game.

Pocock battled injuries in the two years leading up to the 2015 World Cup and says the support the team received during the 2015 competition  was a major factor in his decision to remain in Australian rugby.