New Zealand WCUP Rugby World Cup
New Zealand All Black captain Richie McCaw runs during training in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011. The All Blacks will play Tonga in...
New Zealand All Black captain Richie McCaw runs during training in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011. The All Blacks will play Tonga in their opening Rugby World Cup game on Sept. 9. (AP Photo/Ross Land)
New Zealand WCUP Rugby World Cup Australia
Australia rugby player David Pocock answers questions during a press conference ahead of the the Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday,...
Australia rugby player David Pocock answers questions during a press conference ahead of the the Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. Australia will play their opening game of Rugby World Cup against Italy on Sept. 11.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
New Zealand WCUP Rugby World Cup Australia
Australia rugby player David Pocock answers questions during a press conference ahead of the the Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday...
Australia rugby player David Pocock answers questions during a press conference ahead of the the Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. Australia will play their opening game of Rugby World Cup against Italy on Sept. 11.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
First the Tri-Nations title, now Richie McCaw's mantle as the pre-eminent openside flanker in the world. David Pocock is starting to make a habit of pilfering New Zealand's more treasured rugby jewels.
Less than two weeks after helping Australia win its first Tri-Nations since 2001, Pocock was rated by All Blacks great Josh Kronfeld as a currently superior breakaway than McCaw in what is an almost sacrilegious statement as New Zealand prepares to host the Rugby World Cup.
Kronfeld told The Times of London that Pocock "is the form No.7 of the world at the moment, a master."
Pocock was taken aback by the praise from "a legend of the game." He says "that is something come from him" but "even Richie not as his best is pretty good."