It is the talking point of this week's blockbuster derby clash but NSW assistant Daryl Gibson says Australian No.7s Michael Hooper and David Pocock are beyond comparison.
Hooper and Pocock will go head-to-head in the back row when the Waratahs hit Canberra to vie with the Brumbies for Australian conference bragging rights on Friday night.
It is a clash with national team ramifications, as the pair are locked in battle for the coveted Wallabies No 7 jersey leading into this year's World Cup.
Gibson paid tribute to the form and skills of both players, but said comparing them was only useful to a point.
"You'll see David Pocock very strong on the ball, getting in and being a real pest around the breakdown, whereas Hoops is almost like a second back," he said.
"The try that he set up on Saturday night [Adam Ashley-Cooper's 20th minute effort against the Rebels], I think David Pocock would struggle to do that.
"You've got to admire them for their own skill sets and admire the battle."
Pocock scored a hat-trick last Friday against the Highlanders, but did so from the back of a Brumbies' maul.
Hooper scored one try off a similar set piece move, and took a pass from centre Kurtley Beale 10 minutes later to set up Ashley-Cooper's five points 10 minutes later.
Hooper is in the top five in the competition for tackles and the top 10 for defenders beaten, while Pocock and Queensland's Liam Gill are the gold standard for turnovers, netting on average two per game.
Gibson said the match-up was an important factor not only in Friday's match, but with both fit and in form for the first time since 2012.
"They're quite different players, both very strong in their respective areas of strength," he said.
The Waratahs have not won in Canberra since 2011, when Hooper was still in Brumbies colours and Pocock played for the Western Force.
The Brumbies have won four of their five home games this season and 12 of their last 13. After losing at home to the Rebels two weeks ago Stephen Larkham's side are keen to wrest momentum back from the defending champions.
"Each home team when you're playing at home you really feel that accountability to your fans, so each team tries to build a fortress and make it very difficult for opposition teams to play there," Gibson said.
"The Brumbies have built up a great deal of pride around their home record and through that have a very strong culture and are a team that doesn't like to lose at home. It's difficult for teams to win there."
- SMH
