Wallabies selectors have decided to go all-out for Saturday's World Cup opener against Fiji and are set to announce a side that features captain Michael Hooper and David Pocock in the same starting back row.
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After months of debate about the best balance of Australia's back row heading into the tournament, a three-man panel of coach Michael Cheika, director of rugby Scott Johnson and third independent selector Michael O'Connor have decided that two of Australia's most dangerous players need to be in the same starting XV.
A source close to the team, who did not want to be named, said Pocock would start at No.6 and Hooper would wear the No.7 jersey he has donned for the majority of his career when the side takes the field in Sapporo against Fiji on Saturday afternoon.
The unlucky man in the Wallabies side is set to be Lukhan Salakaia- Loto, who is expected to come off the bench.
Isi Naisarani, who debuted against the Springboks this year, is set to be named at No.8 in the position he played at in his first four Tests.
Hooper and Pocock's inclusion in the same starting XV is nothing new, with the pairing playing alongside each other throughout the 2015 Rugby World in a combination dubbed "Pooper".
The pair, regarded as two of the best back-rowers in the world, have lined up in the same formation at Test level before. While Pocock wore the No.8 jersey for the majority of the tournament, he has played blindside breakaway five times since the last World Cup.
Most recently, Pocock played No.6 and Hooper No.7 for the first two Tests against Ireland last year before the former moved to the back of the scrum for the decider in Sydney.
Prior to that, Pocock played No.6 three times in 2016 with Hooper at No.7 - against Wales, Scotland and England on their end of season tour.
Pocock, who plays No.7 for the Brumbies, has also played this position at Test level a few times but only when Hooper has been rested.
Wallabies selectors clearly want Pocock's on-ball presence from minute one and feel that Naisarani's inclusion provides them with a big body who can get over the advantage line.
Debate has been rife for months over whether Hooper and Pocock should start together. Former Wallabies great George Smith said he thought it was better if Pocock came off the bench, while Owen Finegan said he would start the pair.
Meanwhile, Nic White and Christian Lealiifano are favourites to start at halfback and five-eighth respectively.
