A possible season-ending knee injury to champion Wallabies flanker David Pocock took some of the gloss off the Brumbies’ clinical 35-6 drubbing of old foes the NSW Waratahs on Saturday night.

Returning Wallabies great George Smith was called from the bench sooner than expected to make his comeback for the Brumbies when Pocock went down in the 13th minute and was assisted from the Canberra Stadium field.

If scans confirm the suspected ACL tear to Pocock’s left knee, he will likely be ruled out for at least six months, missing the high-profile three-Test series against the British and Irish Lions, the Rugby Championship series and the rest of the Super Rugby season.

Flying fullback Jesse Mogg was the standout for the home side as he continued to put himself in the frame for a Wallabies debut.

Christian Lealiifano got the home team off to a great start, nailing three penalty shots within the first 10 minutes in front of a crowd of 20,027.

Captain Ben Mowen was then personally rewarded with a try in the 25th minute after opting for a five-metre lineout instead of taking the three points from a penalty.

Lealiifano showed why many consider him also to be a Wallaby-in-waiting, pouncing on a Mogg grubber in the 34th minute to score in the corner and put the Brumbies in a comfortable position going into the break.

The Waratahs looked more promising early in the second half but failed to capitalise on numerous opportunities, before Brumbies winger Henry Speight crossed to put any hopes of a comeback to bed.

Mogg then set up replacement Robbie Coleman for a length of the field five-pointer in what will be a contender for try of the year and delivered the Brumbies a four try bonus point win.