He appears a likely prospect but world-class flanker David Pocock doesn't expect to win the John Eales medal on Thursday night.

Pocock was the front-runner for the prestigious award before the voting went under wraps and then dominated for Australia during the Tri Nations series.

In an award voted on by every Wallaby in each of 15 Tests, Pocock was leading the way on 149 votes, from last year's winner Matt Giteau (146) and five-eighth Quade Cooper (130).

But the workaholic Western Force back-rower was genuinely surprised he was among the leading contenders, let alone a strong favourite to join other openside flankers George Smith (2002, 2008) and Phil Waugh (2003) as a John Eales Medallist.

"I hadn't really given it much thought. We miss a lot of news in the west. It's news to me," Pocock told AAP on Wednesday.

"It's a great award voted by your peers, and that's the one you want to win, but I'm not expecting to win it anyway."

The Zimbabwean-born forward has established himself as an indispensable member of the side over the past 12 months.

The 2009 spring tour proved something of a watershed in his blossoming career.

He started the final two Tests of the tour ahead of the legendary Smith and in 2010 was one of just three players to start all 10 Wallabies Tests.

"I really enjoyed the extra game time (on the 2009 spring tour) and I guess the Welsh game, for me, sticks out," Pocock said.

"I thought I had a really good half and then it was great to sit back and watch George Smith do his usual stuff."

Pocock said his focus over the past few seasons had been on matching the consistency of the benchmark No.7s like Smith and New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.

"They don't seem to have bad games, so that's been a big focus of mine," Pocock said.

Scheduled to head overseas on Saturday, the Wallabies resumed training in Sydney on Wednesday.

The only absentee was Giteau, who has a tooth issue.

"He's a little bit off colour. We expect him to be good to go tomorrow," Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.

He was pleased that both captain and blindside flanker Rocky Elsom and lock Mark Chisholm were both able to train fully on Wednesday after injury niggles forced them to work separately from their colleagues last week.

Deans showed no desire to talk about the prospects of new All-Blacks squad member and former rugby league star Sonny Bill Williams possibly playing for New Zealand against Australia in the Wallabies' tour opener in Hong Kong on October 30.

"You're talking to the wrong bloke," he said.

"You've got to presume the intend to use him at some point. But, then again, they've only got Test matches.

"I've got no idea. It doesn't concern me, to be honest."

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