Pocock v Hooper: Season-defining
Wallaby flank rivals Michael Hooper and David Pocock go head-to-head with leadership of the Australian conference on the line in Friday's Brumbies versus Waratahs Super Rugby showdown in Canberra.
It's a clash with national team ramifications, as the pair are locked in battle for the Wallabies No.7 jersey heading into this year's World Cup.
The Canberra-based Brumbies lead the Australian conference by four points, but they could relinquish top spot with a loss to the defending champions.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham rates the fierce derby between the two Australian heavyweights as season-defining – with Hooper-Pocock just one of many key match-ups that Wallabies and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika will be monitoring.
"If we win this weekend, we jump ahead by a number of points," Larkham said.
"If the Waratahs win then they go ahead of us and it makes it really hard for us.
"So it's certainly at that stage where it's season-defining."
Wallabies skipper Hooper has been first-choice openside flank and has played 42 internationals in the absence of Pocock (46 caps) during two knee reconstructions, but the latter has bounced back this season and scored three tries in the Brumbies 31-18 win over the Highlanders last weekend.
"They're quite different players, both very strong in their respective areas of strength," Waratahs attack coach Daryl Gibson said.
The Brumbies were out-muscled in attack and defence when they lost 28-13 to the Waratahs in Sydney almost six weeks ago, but the Sydneysiders head to the national capital chasing their first away victory over the Brumbies since 2011.
Agence France-Presse
