The Sydney Morning Herald's Greg Growden previews a mouth-watering showdown between New Zealand Richie McCaw and Australia's David Pocock.
"Richie McCaw has wrestled, mauled and burrowed under some of Australia's most notable scavengers during his nine-year tussle with the Wallabies, during which he has enjoyed an extraordinary 84 per cent success rate.
"The standout head-to-head opponent for McCaw has been the Wallabies' greatest openside breakaway, George Smith, and for the New Zealand skipper to still tally 16 Test wins from 19 encounters against Australia is testament to the power of the All Blacks and the broad abilities of their leader. However, yesterday McCaw revealed it was getting no easier keeping Australia's No.7s at bay, with Smith's successor, David Pocock, providing special problems.
"That was shown in Pocock's effectiveness in stifling McCaw in Perth three months ago during the Super 14 when the Western Force upset the Crusaders, 24-16.
"Pocock's efforts that night have the Wallabies convinced that McCaw won't have everything his way on Saturday night. ''David is no slouch and he has now played well against Richie McCaw a number of times. I'd back him all the way,'' said Richard Brown, a Force teammate and fellow Test back-rower."
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