Wallaby Michael Hooper is poised to have the unusual distinction of having his first duel with legendary All Blacks flanker Richie McCaw in the white-hot cauldron of a major rugby Test.
Openside flanker Hooper is tipped to start Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand in Auckland, after Wallabies captain David Pocock was ruled out for at least three months following ankle surgery on Tuesday.
Hooper has never played at Eden Park before and hasn’t even faced McCaw in a Super Rugby game.
“I think that will be a challenge in itself and an exciting one,” said Hooper, who won his first three Test caps off the bench in June.