Michael Hooper might not have the presence of injured Wallabies star David Pocock on the team sheet, but captain Will Genia insists Australia’s new starting No.7 has the same tireless work-rate at the breakdown.

Pocock is arguably the most inspirational player in the Wallabies team, and relied upon to battle head-on with legendary New Zealand openside flanker Richie McCaw.

The All Blacks, led by McCaw, put constant pressure on Pocock last week in Sydney and are likely to test out the rookie in Auckland on Saturday night.

However, Genia backed Hooper not be awe-struck by the enormous task at hand in the intimidating atmosphere of Eden Park.

“I don’t think he’s the sort of bloke that will get overawed by the situation, he brings a lot of enthusiasm to the group,” said Genia, who is deputising for Pocock as skipper in the do-or-die Bledisloe Cup showdown and for the rest of the Rugby Championship.

“His work rate is second to none and I think he’ll be good for us.

“He has very big shoes to fill and David has a lot of presence on the field in attack and in defence, but … he’s someone different. I’m sure Robbie (coach Robbie Deans) will agree, we’re very confident he will get the job done.”

Deans also threw his support behind uncapped Queenslander Liam Gill, who’s also set for the most challenging of debuts up against McCaw and the rampaging All Blacks.

Gill will start on the bench but is likely to be thrown into the action at some point.

There’s even the possibility the two opensides – Hooper and Gill – could work together in tandem on the field.

Gill (and Hooper) were primary school kids when McCaw started his international career, but Deans backed the 20-year-old Red as the next star of the future.

“It’s an exciting challenge, he’s played against him at Super Rugby and he’s clearly a player who is going to spend a long time at this level,” said Deans.

“So you will see a great who has mastered the art and you’ll see a young bloke who is chasing it.”