New Zealand great Jonah Lomu fears David Pocock and Michael Hooper will give Australia a critical edge at the breakdown in Saturday's World Cup final.
Pocock has established himself as the tournament's most influential player after plundering 14 turnovers, five more than his closest rival and six more than the All Blacks' top poacher Kieran Read.
The No.8 has amassed the total despite missing the victories over Wales and Scotland with a calf problem. A
Australia's dominance of the breakdown has been founded on the combination of Pocock and Hooper, who are both primarily openside flankers, and Lomu knows that New Zealand's ability to nullify pair will be key to the outcome at Twickenham.
"If there's any team who can give New Zealand a run for their money then it's Australia because they're the only team to have beaten them this year," Lomu said.
"The difference at the moment is that New Zealand only have Richie McCaw in their back row, while Australia have Hooper and Pocock working together. That gives them a different dimension at the breakdown.
"Their speed into the breakdown will give the All Blacks a real headache. It will be interesting to see how they deal with that.
"The backs will get praise for scoring tries, but matches are won up front and the breakdown will be what makes the difference.
"Australia playing two opensides in Pocock and Hooper is a real threat to the All Blacks."
Share
