But to Jane Pocock, her son David is just a "mummy's boy" who didn't need sleep as a baby.

Pocock's rugby world and family life will collide when he runs out on Friday night wearing an ACT Brumbies jersey with his mum's name printed on his chest.

It's part of the Brumbies' 'ladies round' to celebrate Mother's Day and the women behind the rugby players who will bash themselves into the Pretoria Bulls at Canberra Stadium.

All players have their mum's names on the front of their one-off jerseys to add an extra bit of motivation.

"Mum's coming to the game ... I think it's really special [to have her name on the jersey]," Pocock said.

"You look at all of these athletes running around and it's taken a lot of sacrifice from the people around them – whether that's family or friends or a special person in their life who has helped them get to where they are.

"Being able to honour your mum in that way, I think it's really special. Mum was always the one dropping us at sport at 6am or picking us up at 5pm.

"She's spent her life running around after my brothers and I. I'm very grateful for her support and love over the years."

The Brumbies desperately need to beat the Bulls to ensure their Super Rugby play-off hopes remain alive after four losses from the past six games.

Pocock looms as a key element in the Brumbies' quest for success after making his comeback from suspension last weekend.

Playing rugby is what Pocock has craved since he was a child when he would do 450 crunches every night before bed and ask Jane and dad Andy to take his weights on family holidays.

When Pocock signed a new deal with the Brumbies and Australian rugby two months ago, the Wallabies put a photo of the 27-year-old on social media and asked fans to finish this sentence: "David Pocock is a ..."

Jane Pocock didn't miss a beat, replying with: "My darling first born son who has a soft heart and is genuinely a wonderful son.

"Caring, encouraging, loving ... And he doesn't mind being teased for being a "mummy's boy". I think he's making up for being such a challenge as a baby who didn't seem to need much sleep and a toddler who's first words were 'NO' and 'I DO IT!'."

Jane has recently started a business as a 'parent coach' to help others after raising three boys.

"I think she figured after having three fairly boisterous boys she's got a bit to offer and I agree, so hopefully it goes well," Pocock said with a grin.

Asked if Jane was a nervous spectator, Pocock said: "I think she's got a lot better. As long as I stay up and don't go down I think she's pretty happy."

The Brumbies haven't lost three games in a row since 2011, but are in danger of slipping further down the rankings if they fall to the Bulls.

Pocock is in the final stretch of Super Rugby games before he puts his career on hold to take a 12-month sabbatical.

"I haven't thought about it too much, I'm very much trying to stay in the season and contribute as much as I can," Pocock said. "It hasn't changed my motivation or the way I approach things."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND 11

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Pretoria Bulls at Canberra Stadium, 7.45pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. James Dargaville, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Robbie Coleman, 11. Nigel Ah Wong, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Jarrad Butler, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Blake Enever, 21. Jordan Smiler, 22. Joe Powell, 23. Lausii Taliauli.

Bulls team: 15. SP Marais, 14. Travis Ismaiel, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Jan Serfontein, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Francois Brummer, 9. Piet van Zyl, 8. Hanro Liebenberg, 7. Arno Botha, 6. Lappies Labuschagne, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. RG Snyman, 3. Marcel van der Merwe, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Trevor Nyakane. Reserves: 16. Bandise Maku, 17. Lizo Gqoboka, 18. Werner Kruger, 19. Jannes Kirsten, 20. Roelof Smit, 21. Rudy Paige, 22. Tian Schoeman, 23. Dan Kriel.