Rugby World Cup 2015: Why the All Blacks won't change for 'Pooper'

It has never been the All Black way to reinvent what they do to nullify the impact of one opposition player. And it's not going to happen in the World Cup final.

The aura of David Pocock, and to a lesser extent his backrow partner Michael Hooper, is hovering over this showdown as if it is him/them against the All Blacks.

If the All Blacks bought into the Pocock/Hooper legend, they wouldn't dare make a single pass on Sunday morning for fear of the omnipresent "Pooper" combination stealing possession every time and everywhere.

Perception in this case has some basis in truth but it is worth establishing the facts to paint the real picture of which team has had more success at the breakdown in this tournament.

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.

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.

They need to be vigilant. They can't make the same mistake as Argentina who too many times allowed a lone forward to pick and drive once too often, get isolated and hand Pocock a free reign.

That's about it, though in regard to a special strategy. The same old rules will apply: the onus will be on the ball carriers to hit the collision on their terms. Own the contact, own the presentation and everything goes from there.

Rugby Herald: What to do about Hooper and Pocock

The cleanout men have to be lightning quick, ruthless and technically smart. Pocock and Hooper can do incredible things, but they can't get their hands on the ball if they are being hit by the brutal force that knocks them off their feet.

That worked for the All Blacks at Eden Park earlier in the year and while only Hooper started that night, both men were on the park in the final quarter and they were powerless to play the game they wanted.

There's plenty of other ways for the All Blacks to negate the Pooper impact without compromising the way they play.

As South African coach Heyneke Meyer said last week, the All Blacks have the best tactical kicking game in world rugby.

The All Blacks were able to use their kicking against the Boks to dominate territory and possession and will no doubt look to do that again in the final. They will be keen to run Israel Folau around - if he plays - and tempt him into trying to counter attack from high risk places and situations. There's also a fair chance the All Blacks will kick the ball out more as with all things in life, while the Pooper selection brings rewards, it also has risks - and that's the reduction in effectiveness of the Wallaby lineout.

They have two locks and Fardy who can jump, while the All Blacks' back five can all win ball. Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read are world class at disrupting ball and pulled off a number of steals against a supremely good Bok lineout.

Australia have an innovative strike weapon in the Pooper combination but there are 13 other Wallabies who the All Blacks will be just as concerned about. And like always, the All Blacks will be focused on playing the game they want regardless of who it is they are facing.

David Pocock v Kieran Read

Michael Hooper v Richie McCaw

Scott Fardy v Jerome Kaino

- By Gregor Paul in London