Pooper set for a break-up?

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has indicated that Australia may move away from starting both Michael Hooper and David Pocock in the World Cup.

Speaking on Fox Sports' Super Saturday show, the Wallabies boss said there were "other options" in the backrow this year, that could see the so-called "Pooper" combination come to an end, with Australia's lineout exposed when both start.

Cheika spoke highly of soon-to-be eligible Fijian product Isi Naisarani, his Brumbies teammate Rob Valetini, the Waratahs Jack Dempsey, the Rebels Luke Jones and versatile Reds forward Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (formerly Lukhan Tui).

Cheika has been a big supporter of the Pooper combination with the pair leading the Wallabies to a World Cup final in 2015 but Naisarani's impending citizenship and his Super Rugby form could force a change.

"I think this  year we've certainly got some other options around the backrow," Cheika said."Dempsey's back, Naisarani's playing some good footy and Valetini - I know he's injured but I've liked what he brought in the first four or five games and we'll be doing everything we can to get him back before the end of the season."

"Do you play Lukhan (Salakaia-Loto) in the back or in the middle?

"Luke Jones definitely has had a great season since he's come back; (Lachie McCaffrey) is a different type of player but has had a really good season so far.

"He's more a ball player, a link player, so that gives you different ways to play the guys.

"I think sometimes having (Hooper and Pocock) playing together will be really useful and sometimes, having one coming off the bench will be really damaging as well."

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