Re-signed ACT Brumbies flanker Jarrad Butler says it's impossible to replace David Pocock, but the highly rated back-rower is ready to break from from the shadow and be his own man next year.
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The Brumbies landed a signing coup before their clash against the Canterbury Crusaders on Sunday, locking in Butler as the man to fill the No.7 jersey when Pocock takes a 12-month sabbatical in 2017.
Aware of the giant task before him and the constant comparisons to the man he will be replacing, Butler is backing himself to perform after signing a one-year deal.
The 25-year-old is regarded as a future leader in Canberra, but the uncertainty in the Brumbies testing a sabbatical option for Pocock meant he only committed to a one-year option.
Butler sees that as a personal challenge, revealing his first preference was always to re-sign with the Brumbies.
"Next year is pretty exciting, hopefully there's a chance to get more minutes and play so that I can put myself in a good position and go from there," Butler said.
"It's one of those cases where I'll back myself to have a good year and we'll see what happens.
"Guys like Poey add elements to the game that are really important and I think I've evolved to do my own thing with work rate and things like that. I try to be my own player and do the best I can so that when Poey is available, he's just as keen to rip in.
"There's no certainty, but I've got to back myself to fill the position and do my best."
Butler will fill the open-side flanker role in the clash against the Crusaders at Canberra Stadium as Pocock serves the final match of his Super Rugby suspension.
It is fitting that he has been given the job to tackle Matt Todd, the man who has replaced New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw, for a battle of the understudies.
The Anzac contest also hits home for Butler given his family ties - he was born in Wellington before moving to the Gold Coast with his family as a teenager.
But Butler is a no-fuss character who is rarely rattled and is just focused on his duel with Todd and All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read.
"It's going to be a really big test. I think the Crusaders play a real link sort of game - Kieran Read has one of the best offloads in the competition," Butler said.
"He does a really good job of linking with people. Matt Todd's a really strong runner but really good on the ball as well. They've both got attributes so it's going to be a big ask.
"The Crusaders have been flying high at the moment so we know it's going to be a tough game, but we're ready for it."
The Crusaders have won their past six games, while the Brumbies slipped from top spot in the Australian conference when they were leapfrogged by the Melbourne Rebels.
The slippery slope of the Australian ladder meant the Brumbies dropped from second in the Australasian group to sixth.
This year is the first time the Brumbies have been knocked out of the top-ranked Australian spot and a guaranteed finals position.
The Brumbies are in the middle of a season-defining block of games that looms as a make-or-break run for their play-off aspirations.
They beat the NSW Waratahs last weekend before playing the Crusaders, the defending champion Otago Highlanders, the Pretoria Bulls and the Rebels.
Butler will be a key cog in those matches, filling in for Pocock before he returns and then working with Jordan Smiler to replace No.8 Ita Vaea, who has been forced to retire because of health concerns.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said: "[Butler] had a tremendous game last week and he's shown constant improvement. His understanding of the game is second to none and in the forwards he probably reads the game better than anyone else."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND NINE
Sunday: ACT Brumbies v Canterbury Crusaders at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.
* The Brumbies will auction their Anzac jerseys after the match with proceeds going to Legacy. Defence personnel will get free entry to Canberra Stadium and fans will be allowed on the field after the match to meet players.
Brumbies: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Robbie Coleman, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11.JosephTomane, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Michael Wells, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. James Dargaville, 23. Nigel Ah Wong.
Crusaders: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Jone Macilai, 13. Kieron Fonotia, 12. David Havili, 11. Nemani Nadolo, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Matt Todd, 6. Jordan Taufua, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Luke Romano, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody. Reserves: 16. Ged Robinson, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Mike Alaalatoa, 19. Sam Whitelock, 20. Tim Boys, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Sean Wainui, 23. Marty McKenzie.
