Very interested to know if there are any implications for implementing break-word on html element, not just on links. I assumed there would be a reason for the current browser default, but...
a) I am guessing the contemporary browser default is legacy and will likely change,
b) cons for break-word are minimal: words may break inappropriately - are there other issues?
c) pros for break-word are significant: layouts are not jeopardised by content.
Agree with @adeelejaz. Benefits of (c) far outweigh (b) I would imagine. The impact of a broken layout is significant whereas a ludicrously long word breaking would be expected and often negligible. Certainly don't overflow with ellipsis, that would be imposing a design.
After all this is the web... and when a project manager suggests 'user training is required'... I feel we have a problem.