The Wallabies No 8, at his destructive best against Argentina in his side's 29-15 semifinal victory at Twickenham with four breakdown turnovers, poses a major threat to the All Blacks' ability to go back-to-back as world champions.
The All Blacks have been here before, however. Ahead of their semifinal victory over the Aussies four years ago, Pocock was identified as a major threat and was largely nullified by an awe-inspiring performance from the All Blacks' pack, who ran at him all day. It's hard to get a turnover when you're at the bottom of a ruck.
And while he and Michael Hooper have grown into a formidable partnership recently - they combined brilliantly in their team's victory over the All Blacks in Sydney in August before coach Michael Cheika surprisingly left Pocock on the bench for his team's return loss at Eden Park, a defeat which put the Bledisloe Cup back in the hands of the All Blacks - the same rules apply.
The All Blacks will have a strategy but much depends on simple common sense. Don't carry the ball straight into defenders, don't get isolated, and don't attempt an expansive game when deep in your own territory. In other words, try not to fall into the trap the Pumas did.
Assistant coach Ian Foster was reluctant to concentrate on Pocock today - saying he was one of many talented players in the Australian team - but loose forward Sam Cane was happy to suggest what the All Blacks might do to take him out of the equation.
"He had another very strong game," Cane said.
"For us it's pretty simple. We have to get our ball carries right and focus on the urgency of our cleaners ... that's what we have to do to the best of our ability. If we get that right hopefully we can nullify the amount of times he gets on the ball."
With one victory each in two tests this year, this decider comes on the biggest stage of all.
Asked what they had learned about the Wallabies in their encounters, Foster said: "The lessons we've learned from Sydney and Eden Park I guess we've already applied to our game and put them into practice. It's a great rivalry and clearly we play each other a few times but it's pretty special to play each other in a World Cup final. It's a game that means a lot to both teams at any time we play each other. To do it on this stage is fantastic."
The All Blacks will address those leaving the team - including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith - after the test. Being in a final is motivation in itself and the men themselves don't want to be put on a pedestal, as lock Brodie Retallick said today.
However, Cane acknowledged the contribution McCaw had made on his development as a fellow flanker.
"He's been in the All Blacks for a long time," Cane said.
"When I was at high school, he was pretty much the only openside I watched in the All Blacks' No 7 jersey.
"I've probably picked up more in the last three or four years than I've realised. It's more the mini conversations you have in training and the things you pick up through watching than you learn in the deep, inspirational words of advice."
