BATH: The man who made an 11-year-old David Pocock burst into tears holds the key to ensuring his combination with Michael Hooper becomes a World Cup force.

And an open Pocock says he's been reflecting on videos of his intense rehabilitation from two knee reconstructions to appreciate the road to his World Cup arrival.

Pocock was left shattered when Stephen Larkham slotted an extra-time drop goal to lift the Wallabies to victory against South Africa in the 1999 World Cup semi-final.

Pocock grew up idolising Springboks champion Bobby Skinstad, who was also born in Zimbabwe, and Larkham was the villain who torpedoed the South Africans out of the tournament.

Sixteen years later Wallabies assistant coach Larkham is teaming up with Pocock to add an attacking edge to his game that looms as a crucial factor in a flanker tag-team with Hooper.

Pocock and Hooper – dubbed Pooper – are set to team up in the Wallabies' starting side to give the world-class duo a chance to have a major impact when Australia's World Cup campaign starts on Wednesday (Thursday 1.45am AEST).

Four years ago Pocock was the only specialist openside flanker in the Wallabies' World Cup squad.

But fast forward to the 2015 campaign and Pocock is poised to line-up in the unfamiliar No.8 jersey – the same position Skinstad played - while Hooper takes the No.7.

"I'd love a bit of advice [from Skinstad]," Pocock laughed. "I was always a big fan, my coach at school hated it because I'd try to carry the ball in one hand, but I didn't have hands as big as Bobby at the time.

"I was a massive [fan], I remember watching '99 and bawling my eyes out when [Larkham] kicked that field goal. I left the lounge, went straight to my room and laid on the bed crying.

"I'm not too sure what [coach Michael Cheika] is thinking, a heap of different combinations have been tried over the last couple of months.

"We're all getting a lot more comfortable in playing where we're put. I feel pretty confident with [playing No.8]. It's a challenging role, but that's what you want."

Pocock and Hooper possess different attributes, allowing Cheika to unleash both in the starting side.

Their partnership was widely lauded as one of the major factors in the Wallabies' win against the All Blacks in Sydney in August.

Wycliff Palu's hamstring injury has opened the door for Cheika to go back to the tactic to start the World Cup campaign.

Blindside flanker Scott Fardy said one of the Wallabies' biggest weapons was being able to call on a variety of back-row combinations.

"There are so many different combinations we could throw in, they've all been different from week to week.

"It's important across the board we're like that and we're adjustable to the game plan. We're not focused on 'Pooper', we just focus on being a unit to make sure we're at the top."

Pocock has had two knee reconstructions since the 2011 World Cup campaign and he has been trying to add an attacking edge to his game since joining the Brumbies.

"I think my game has changed [in the last four years]. I've worked on a lot of attacking stuff with the Brumbies and I think I'm better for the experience of injuries and getting through that.

"There's no one better to learn from than Bernie [Larkham] and [coach Michael Cheika] played his whole career at No.8 so there's plenty of knowledge there. I've been trying to learn as much as I can."

Pocock conceded he had doubts about whether he would be back to his best in time to play at the World Cup after twice rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

"After the second [injury] … such an innocuous step, after that there were a few doubts," Pocock said.

"But the way to deal with them is working hard and I thought if I could get my body right, I could play some good rugby again.

"It's important to look back to appreciate how much help I've had along the way … You appreciate how much hard work has gone in and make the most of the opportunity you've got."