Injured Wallabies captain David Pocock says returning veteran George Smith can ''make the big plays'' to help Australia clinch a series victory against the British and Irish Lions.
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Smith will make an international comeback when he reclaims the No. 7 jersey in the series-deciding Test at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
Smith will be one of seven ACT Brumbies in the Wallabies' 23-man squad - the Super Rugby club's biggest contingent for a Test since 2010.
Pocock was the face of the Lions series on television ads before he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and had a knee reconstruction in March.
But he is backing his replacement to star despite not playing for more than a month and is adamant Smith can have an immediate impact.
''In many ways it's hard on Michael Hooper and Liam Gill because they have played well,'' Pocock told The Canberra Times.
''But George has over 100 Test caps and his ability to read the game, pick his moments … he's one of those players who always turns up at the right moment to make the big plays or the the big turnover that can change momentum of games.
''That's what he brings, a cool head. He handles pressure and he'll get on with the job.''
Smith replaces young gun Hooper in the starting XV while Gill has been left out of the squad.
The Wallabies are aiming to hold on to the Tom Richards Cup for another 12 years after winning the series in 2001. Smith was a part of the win in 2001 and will become the first Wallaby of the professional era to play in two series against the Lions.
Pocock is widely regarded as one of the world's best flankers and took over the Wallabies' No. 7 duties when Smith retired from Australian rugby in 2010.
They teamed up at the ACT Brumbies earlier this year and were preparing for a tag-team role in the Super Rugby campaign.
But Pocock injured his knee in their first match together and was ruled out for the rest of the year.
The Brumbies negotiated with Smith's Japanese club Suntory to extend his stay and it paved the way for his Wallabies comeback.
''It's a phenomenal story, it's such testament to him as a player and athlete that he can have last played for the Wallabies four years ago and then slot straight back into the group,'' Pocock said.
Pocock has been in camp with the Wallabies for the past month helping with promotional work and video analysis of the Lions.
He said the Wallabies were capable of winning the series.
''There's a real buzz about being here and just to have a ticket to the game will be pretty special,'' Pocock said.