The Wallabies will have their best chance of winning a third Rugby World Cup if David Pocock is at his brutal best.
A team effort will be required to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy, but a firing Pocock will be New Zealand’s worst nightmare.
That is why the only way New Zealand can really guarantee victory is to nullify Pocock’s influence. The only way I can see this happening is by the All Blacks pushing the limits of legality around the breakdown.
I will be looking out for Richie McCaw, Dan Coles and co to be doing their utmost at keeping Pocock on the ground. Holding his jumper, grabbing his legs and the smallest of restrictions at every moment possible to limit his effectiveness on the ball. These split seconds will prove the difference in a match that otherwise should be closely fought.
McCaw has made his money pushing the limits of the law, and let’s face it, the position comes with the territory. We all know that pushing the boundaries at the breakdown is what a quality No. 7 should do.
There is a lot to look forward to in this match as a Wallabies supporter. Even with a loosely nullified Pocock, his mates that make up the ‘Fardy Pooper’ trinity will be aiming to make up any lost space. Along with Pocock, Scott Fardy was immense against Argentina and has had an amazing tournament.
He has played a masterful blind side flanking performance, always present in attack and defence but quiet in comparison to the team’s No. 7.
Targets will be on the heads of Pocock and Bernard Foley. New Zealand people are talking about them and the All Blacks are paying attention.
How the breakdown will be policed is anyone’s guess, but Nigel Owens will set the tone early. Owens is known to deny any funny business, particularly off the ball. McCaw is a magician of acting without action. He won’t be leaving anything to chance in his last All Blacks Test. I am talking about McCaw because I fear his involvement the same as the Kiwis fear Pocock.
The officials have been very tough on cynical play at this tournament so the illusions will need to be spot on to avoid the wrath of Nigel’s whistle. Let’s hope the game isn’t decided by the number of innocuous yellow cards handed out.
It might seem a touch simplistic to put the game’s outcome on one area of the match, but that is where the battle will be fought. Australia will need to be better under the high ball that will come from Ben Smith all day, and Israel Folau’s confidence will need a boost to get the job done.
There is no doubt the two best teams are in the final and New Zealand will need to be beaten. For the first time in a long time the augurs speak positively to the Wallabies fortunes. On neutral ground, with the right attitude and the most experienced team ever, the dream is closer than it was before.
They just need to go and take it.
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
This will be the final time two of the greatest number sevens playing will be playing against each other, ... God I might get emotional
BBA
Guest
Im with you TWAS, I will sign whatever petition there is to demand that QC is in the starting XV.
jcr
Guest
I don't disagree but I'm pretty sure that both teams will have a number of scenarios on how to deal with a number of tactics. My point is ,it will be interesting to see what they are , at the moment there's a lot of comments on what it definitely will be. I guess the proof will be in the pudding .
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Like we have seen the Wallabies never do? I'd back the AB pack to be able to get it to ground. They did it against the 'Boks (from memory that tactic got one turnover) & I don't think the Wallabies are as proficient at holding the player up as them.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
RT - Pocock Vs NZ - played 15, lost 12. Hehehehehehe.
Chuck
Guest
Umm, did you watch last 20 mins Bok where jammed in their half,this is final rugby 1 point is gust is good winning By 41-13
jcr
Guest
umm ,they lost by 2 and arguably they also had a more defined ( limited ) attack . Or are you meaning tha All Blacks ? Have they different time for the final?
Chuck
Guest
Game over like them energy extracted can't last the 85 mins
taylorman
Roar Guru
One last time James. He regretted the action of the trip, not the reflex. Read it ten times. The regret came later. Two different things.
jcr
Guest
And what happens if the WB use the SA tactic of holding runners up ?
Frontrow
Guest
"That is why the only way New Zealand can really guarantee victory is to nullify Pocock’s influence. The only way I can see this happening is by the All Blacks pushing the limits of legality around the breakdown." This is dribble... And lets take a lot at the REAL turnover stats in this competition As the NZ herald has said... "Pocock leads the tournament for turnovers won with 14. The most prolific All Black is Kieran Read with eight. If the likely starting loose trios are compared - the Pocock-Hooper-Scott Fardy unit has taken 21 in total. The Read-Richie McCaw-Jerome Kaino combination has secured 18.( Hardly a huge difference) If the question is wider again - as in which team has pulled off the most turnovers at this World Cup - then it's a landslide victory...for the All Blacks. In total they have won 50 turnovers to Australia's 37. Without doubt Hooper and Pocock are special players who have enjoyed a special tournament. They are superb over the ball, win more than their fair share of possession that's not theirs to win and can have a significant influence on any test. But this is hardly cause for the All Blacks to reinvent the wheel or come up with a radical plan to combat the threat. They play against world class players all the time - men who can have a major influence on any contest." NZ Herald by Rugby Writer Gregory Paul At press conferences the Australian media have been trying to get All Black Players and Coaches to say they have specila plans for the Pooper combination but they brush it off...Man as if they haven't played world class players before...and as a team the All Blacks eat the Wallabies for turnovers made... The stats for the All Black Back Row are actually superior to the wallabies in tackles made -missed tackles - metres gained - carries and this is why they are not carrying on like the Australian media about the Wallabies Back Row
mtiger
Roar Rookie
Of course, Fardy is to Pocock, like Rollo is to Ragnar Lodbrook. Totally unsung, but he is right there for Pocock!
Daws
Guest
Wow, highly debatable that McCaw in his prime was better than Pocock ever was. Put McCaw in the Australian team for the past 10 years and I think they'd be pretty even.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Did you happen to see Sio's performance at Eden Park? Or against Scotland before he was injured?
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Pocock is very very good but he is not the only talented openside over the ball that the AB team & players have faced. They won't be able to nullify Pocock, he has too much talented to be made an absolute non-factor. What they will try to do is make sure he is cleaned out accurately & quickly. Just like teams do whenever they are playing a player with his skills. They won't be able to do it every time but will aim to limit his influence.
Riordan Lee
Editor
The Herald summed it up perfectly today - we CAN with Pocock, but we simply can't without him.
vic rugby
Guest
How impressive pete that you know better than international referees. I for one look forward to your next big game! Where can we see that pete?
vic rugby
Guest
Lol have a big cry peter. We get it you dont like mccaw.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
They're not running directly at him. They're cleaning out the ruck and recycling, which means he's forced to be the next tackler instead an isolated player or a messy breakdown where he can get over the ball.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
When does Pocock ever do that? McCaw did it in his prime when he was better than Pocock ever was, but Pocock frankly carries too much muscle to move that quickly.