Hooper ready for Pocock battle

Cape Town - Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has backed flank Michael Hooper to step up against Wallaby rival David Pocock this weekend.

The flankers are battling it out for the Australian openside berth, with Pocock scoring a hat-trick last week for the Brumbies in their win over the Highlanders.

Hooper scored a try of his own, while setting up another for Adam Ashley-Cooper, and Gibson believes he offers a different skill-set to his predecessor with the Wallabies.