Former Australian international Owen Finnegan, talking to David Sygall of the Sydney Morning Herald, believes David Pocock is the world's premier openside flanker.
"The notion that Richie McCaw is the best open-side breakaway in the world is as much a myth as the so-called Eden Park hoodoo, according to 1999 World Cup-winning back rower Owen Finegan, who has rated David Pocock a superior breakaway than the New Zealand captain.
As the Wallabies prepare to take on the All Blacks in Auckland next Saturday - where they haven't won since 1986 - Finegan paid Pocock the ultimate honour, judging him the best No.7 in the recent Super Rugby season and a better player than the 2010 IRB international player of the year.
Asked if he felt, as many believe, McCaw was still the world's premier fetcher, Finegan, the 1995-2005 Wallabies team of the decade player, said: ''No. I probably rate David Pocock above him. George Smith was the best No.7 I ever played with or against, and that included McCaw. And Pocock, towards the end of George's career, was the one who put George on notice.''
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