Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper is relishing the prospect of doing battle with David Pocock for Australia's number seven jersey.
The 20-year-old has made tremendous strides since his Test debut in the Wallabies' loss to Scotland in June and was one of his country's best players during the recent Rugby Championship.
Several rugby enthusiasts believe he should be an automatic selection for the Wallabies' starting XV for their upcoming tour to Europe, even when Pocock is declared fit for selection.
Pocock is expected to be included in coach Robbie Deans' squad and should return to action during the latter stages of the tour but could be moved to number eight to accommodate Hooper.
Deans will be faced with a difficult choice and Hooper admits that neither player will be happy to spend time on the replacements bench.
"It does pose a nice problem for Robbie but I know both David and I want to play as much time as possible," he told Sportal.
"I don't think either of us will be content with 40 minutes each.
"I'd love to stay on the field as long as possible and he is the same.
"But whatever is best for the team we will have to accommodate.
"I enjoy playing with Dave. He's an outstanding player."
Hooper, who moves to the Waratahs from the Brumbies next season, has impressed since taking over the openside flanker's role after Pocock sustained a knee injury in the Wallabies' opening Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks.
"It's been a great experience," he said.
"Like every player you want to get a bit of time and I've been lucky to play 80 minutes every start I've got," he said.
"I am feeling comfortable there now. I'm really enjoying it."
After ending the New Zealand's winning streak with an 18-all draw in Brisbane last weekend Hooper believes the Wallabies are capable of clean-sweeping France, England, Italy and Wales.
"We took a lot out of beating Argentina (in the Rugby Championship) and even more out of getting a draw with the best team in the world," he said.
"I felt like we could have won that at many stages and the team will take heaps of confidence from it.
"Four from four on the spring tour would be great. We are going to go for that and we think we can do it."
Comments
Trader2 says...
Well said Huston_11
GoWalesGo are you serious? and no one was ever offside. and no one ever fell off his feet, and no one ever obstructed in the lineout. Wait a minute maybe you have a point, we wouldn't need a ref. You were obviously raised by your mother, 6 Aunties and 15 sisters - you poor wee thing.
Posted 02:12 27th October 2012
kiwieire02 says...
Looks like Aussie could be back to the days of Phil Waugh and George Smith. Bugger! from a kiwi's point of view.
Posted 09:38 26th October 2012
GoWalesGo says...
Houston_11
Wouldn't the game be better off if we didn't have those sort of players though?
Posted 05:19 26th October 2012
Bones7 says...
'Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper is relishing the prospect of doing battle with David Pocock for Australia's number seven jersey.' I bet he isn't, I bet both of them are really irritated that there are two awesome opensides around at the same time who are similar ages
Posted 16:18 25th October 2012
Cdn_content says...
That's easy, hooper at 7, pocock at 6 and higginbottom at 8. Two capable 7s on the flanks and a natural 6 but great ball handler at 8. Sounds like Englands world cup winning back row of hill, back and dallagio. Together they had all of the skills needed for a great back row if not a traditional one. I think these dudes could be the same, I wouldn't want to coach against them. throw that big athletic lock, new guy, in there along with sharpe/horwill or whoever as an enforcer and that's a deadly back 5. Geez with their two awesome hookers u only need to shore up th?rops to hae a wicked scrum.
Posted 13:18 25th October 2012
georgesmith says...
D. Pocock can't expect to just walk into the starting line-up instead of M. Hooper, who is in all aspects better than him. M. Hooper is the next big thing of Australian rugby after J.O.C. These two will soon start destroying opposition teams but not with rotten egg R. Deans as coach. Crazy eyes M. Hooper has earned respect all around and is in far greater form than D. Pocock, who is not at all a captain-material. Lets see if R. Deans is smart enough to use D. Pocock as blindside flanker because M. Hooper ain't the one who is moving, not yet. It will be foolish to rely on D. Pocock's name because he is out of form..
Posted 09:44 25th October 2012
Houston_11 says...
I'd have both - solid ball carriers, great on the deck and they're 80 minute players.
On a side note, I really hate all this crap about Pocock/McCaw and others being a cheat - it's intelligent to be able to adapt your style to a referee's interpretation. It's amazing the amount of props that get away with boring in, or scrum halves who always feed into a scrum... Playing the ref is not cheating.
Posted 09:07 25th October 2012
BDAUSSIE says...
Pocock is the world's best defensive player IMO. Not as well rounded as Hooper but still the world's most valuable no.7.
Posted 07:43 25th October 2012
Uglea says...
Tweedledee49 - georgesmith is still at the Caxton with sharpie and dingo
Posted 07:07 25th October 2012
bronco says...
Pocock at 8, Hooper at 7
Easy
Posted 04:39 25th October 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Sounds like an awesome conundrum to have aye!
Posted 01:51 25th October 2012
LeftRightOut says...
Pockock's a cheat. Too early to comment on Hooper
Posted 23:54 24th October 2012
GoWalesGo says...
I think he has the potential to be a lot better than Pocock. He's a lot more dynamic and suits the Aussie style more i reckon.
He also reminds a lot of George Smith.
Posted 11:48 24th October 2012
luv2h8 says...
Two excellent players...i just think Hooper edges it on overall play but Pocock is a leader and big game player. Hooper at 7 and Pocock at 6.
Posted 11:36 24th October 2012
tweedledee49 says...
georgesmith and his "Pocock's overrated" rant in 3......2.....1...
Posted 10:37 24th October 2012