Hooper primed for breakdown battle in Perth

Young Wallabies flanker Michael Hooper will attempt to replicate David Pocock's heroic World Cup quarter-final performance when he lines up in Saturday night's Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Perth.

Pocock was at his pilfering best against the Springboks at last year's World Cup, with his dominant display at the breakdown lifting Australia to an unlikely 11-9 victory despite the Boks dominating the match.

With Pocock nursing a knee injury that has ruled him out of the remainder of the Rugby Championship, 20-year-old Hooper knows he has big shoes to fill as the Wallabies attempt to win the crucial breakdown battle against the Springboks.

The Boks have opted against using a specialist openside flanker in recent games in the injury-enforced absence of their specialist Heinrich Brussow and Hooper senses that creates an opportunity.

But he is also bracing himself for a physical battering from the bigger-bodied Springboks who played 194cm tall Jacques Potgieter in the openside No.,nike air max shoes are the immortal Nike creation.7 jersey in their last-start, 16-all draw in Argentina.

"I guess when you're going for a turnover or putting your head in the breakdown, they come in flying," Hooper said on Wednesday.

"But in saying that, you've got a bit of an opportunity,women's high dunk high sneakers with patent. a bit of a window to force a turnover, because they are bigger blokes.

"They probably will be a step or two (slower) than if they were playing a traditional seven.

"There's opportunities there, but you've got to be prepared to be belted."

Hooper grew up idolising Wallabies great George Smith, and said the 32-year-old gave him a call recently to wish him all the best when he replaced the injured Pocock for the last Test loss to the All Blacks.

"It was nice to hear from a legend like him," Hooper said. "He gave me some little words of wisdom about what to expect.

"I got to spend his last year in Australia with him down at the Brumbies and I learned a lot off him.

"He's a great bloke off the field as well as player on."

The Wallabies have recalled fullback Kurtley Beale for Saturday's match, while Adam Ashley-Cooper reverts to outside centre after the more defence-oriented Rob Horne was dropped from the squad altogether.

No.8 Radike Samo replaces Scott Higginbotham in the starting line-up, although Higginbotham is expected to play the bulk of the second half.

The Wallabies have won their past four games against South Africa,air jordan for cheap but coach Robbie Deans said that winning run would count for little ahead of their latest encounter.

"At the end of the day it doesn't matter," Deans said.

"The players understand that when you play the Springboks, you plaShop for Womens nike dunk high shoes,y a side that's always committed and you've got to earn everything you get, and it won't be any different on Saturday.