Pocock loses final game before year off

David Pocock's final outing before a year-long sabbatical has ended in defeat, with his Panasonic Wild Knights beaten by George Smith's Suntory in the All-Japan Championship rugby final.

Top League winners Suntory won 15-10 in the post-season tournament in Tokyo to finish 2016-17 undefeated in all competitions.

Wallabies great Smith stood up in defence for the Sungoliaths, shaking star Australian back-rower Pocock with a brutal clean-out halfway through the match.

But the pair, who have been teammates in past at the Brumbies and Wallabies, put any bad blood aside post-match to pose together for a social media photograph.

"Disappointing result but congrats to Suntory on winning the #JapanCup," Pocock said on Instagram.

"Great to catch up with George after the game. Someone I idolised while I was at school and have been lucky enough to play against and alongside."

Pocock, 28, is set to travel to South Africa as his break from the game begins, while two-time John Eales medallist Smith will join the Queensland Reds for this year's Super Rugby campaign.

Meanwhile, Wallabies playmaker Matt Giteau is set to leave European heavyweights Toulon to move to Japan.

"He asked me for his release and unless the situation turns around, Giteau will go to Japan," Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal told French publication Var Matin.

Giteau recently returned from a five-month injury lay-off for Toulon after breaking his ankle playing for Australia in the Rugby Championship.