It's been dubbed a "ding-dong" battle of the flankers and ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham says David Pocock has broken the injury shackles to discover "career-best form".
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Pocock will go head to head with World Cup rival and incumbent Wallabies captain Michael Hooper when the Brumbies play the NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium on Friday night.
It's the first time the pair have lined up head to head to start a Super Rugby match in more than three years, with many believing the showdown will decide who wears the Australian No. 7 jersey.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika swatted away suggestions that the openside flanker duel would decide who wins the coveted Test position. But after almost three years plagued by injuries, including two knee reconstructions, Larkham declared former Wallabies captain David Pocock is finally back to his best.
"You can see the form of Poey, I think he's in career-best form at the moment and he's certainly changed a lot of games for us," Larkham said.
"I'm looking forward to that confrontation, Michael Hooper isn't as hard on the ball as Poey is, but he brings other skills to the Waratahs. [Pocock] is certainly feeling confident, his body is in good condition and he has his attention to detail right at the moment. We certainly use [Poey] to our advantage and the Waratahs use Hoops."
Pocock has played six games this year and appears to have broken the injury curse which limited him to just five games across the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Hooper has become a Waratahs linchpin, throwing himself into contact and taking charge of the NSW defence. In Pocock's absence, Hooper established himself as Australia's premier openside flanker.
Hooper has scored seven tries, beaten 52 defenders and forced 44 turnovers in his 42 Test career. Pocock has been on an international hiatus, but has scored four tries, beaten 17 defenders and forced 67 turnovers on 45 Tests.
"I think Poey's form has been fantastic in the last few weeks, really strong over the ball," said Brumbies captain Stephen Moore.
"The area where he's improved the most is his ball carrying. People know him for his work over the ball and that's a hallmark of his game. But his ball carrying has been fantastic ... talking about is he back? It's hard to put a measure on it. It's going to be a ding-dong battle with Hoops."
The Brumbies have tried to play down the 20 years of hatred ahead of their rivalry contest. Wallabies spots are up for grabs and crucial Super Rugby points go on the line as the Brumbies and Waratahs look for an edge in the race for Australia's guaranteed finals berth.
Larkham called in former Brumbies skipper Owen Finegan before the teams last met six weeks ago, to spark his players into action by evoking memories of the bitterness towards NSW.
But Larkham opted against calling in a former player to stoke the fire this week to ensure the Brumbies don't overplay their hand. Despite losing the last three games to the Waratahs, bookies have installed the Brumbies as $1.75 favourites.
"The guys know how physical it will be and how much passion was there, but we wanted to make sure our detail was right," Larkham said. "We thought we didn't have that detail right [six weeks ago]. We didn't bring anyone in, we didn't think it was necessary. We've learnt a fair bit this season ... we're on a journey as a team and don't need external help."
Cheika is juggling Waratahs and Wallabies coaching duties this year, but said he was only focused on a NSW win.
"I can assure you that what happens tomorrow night is not going to decide who gets selected," Cheika said.
"Like we said from the start, we want to learn how to get stuck into each other that night and then be together planning to play for Australia together the next. That's the attitude we want to build. Friday night it's on."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 12
Friday: ACT Brumbies v NSW Waratahs at Canberra Stadium, 7.40pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.
Brumbies team: 15. Jesse Mogg, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Robbie Coleman, 11. Joseph Tomane, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Michael Dowsett, 8. Ita Vaea, 7. David Pocock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Jordan Smiler, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Jean-Pierre Smith. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Jarrad Butler, 21. Joe Powell, 22. James Dargaville, 23. Nigel Ah Wong.
Waratahs team: 15. Israel Folau, 14. Peter Betham, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Kurtley Beale, 11. Rob Horne, 10. Bernard Foley, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Jacques Potgieter, 5 Dave Dennis, 4. Will Skelton, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Jeremy Tilse, 18. Paddy Ryan, 19. Mitch Chapman, 20. Stephen Hoiles, 21. Pat McCutcheon, 22. Brendan McKibbin, 23. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 24. Matt Carraro (one to be omitted).
