Brumbies flanker Jarrad Butler is the man getting in the way of Super Rugby's most eagerly awaited match-up - and he couldn't care less.
David Pocock v Michael Hooper.
It's an epic No 7 showdown sure to speed up Allianz Stadium's ticket-gate turnstiles when the Brumbies take on the Waratahstomorrow. The only problem is Butler's red-hot form for the Brumbies means Pocock will have to make his return to the paddock from an ankle injury off the bench.
While Butler credits Pocock in helping him cut it as a Super Rugby backrower, he's not overly keen to give the "best flanker in the world" his No 7 jersey back without a fight.
"It's not fun being on the bench. But what can you do? Just keep playing well," said Butler, 23.
So well has Butler been playing that he's caught the eye of Wallabies and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika, who this week declared him a shock candidate for the Wallabies' back row for the Rugby World Cup.
"Yeah, that was really positive. I was really happy about that," the Wellington-born flanker said.
Butler, Pocock and Hooper all have very different styles as No 7s, which will make tomorrow afternoon's clash all the more interesting.
