TEDDINGTON, London -- Wallabies star David Pocock believes Australia share the same respect and mutual admiration for New Zealand as South Africa while revealing the 1995 final between the All Blacks and Springboks kick-started his Rugby World Cup dream.

A battered and bruised Pocock fronted the media on Tuesday morning from the Wallabies' London base, the back-rower looking like he had just gone 12 rounds with Muhammad Ali as he sported two black eyes from a physical encounter with Argentina on Sunday.

The Wallabies No.8, who boasts five more turnovers (14) than anyone else in the tournament, is preparing for a similarly brutal encounter in Saturday's decider with arch rivals, the All Blacks, after the defending champions beat South Africa.

But there has been little of the talk this week that dominated the lead-up to that opening semifinal, namely the respect that exists between the All Blacks and Springboks, as many Australian and New Zealand media outlets have wasted little time in firing off the pre-match barbs.

But citing South Africa's triumph in the 1995 final, a time when Pocock was still living in his native Zimbabwe, the Wallabies No.8 hosed down talk of ill-feeling between the trans-Tasman rivals.

"No, I think given the history of the Tri Nations, those three nations have a lot of respect for each other," Pocock said when asked whether the Wallabies and All Blacks share a bond over "pure animosity".

© Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

"I think about that '95 final as a kid -- that did something to me. I dreamt about playing in the World Cup after that.

"The 2003 semifinal [between the Wallabies and All Blacks] -- they're all huge matches, down to the Bledisloe and all these things. So there's certainly that mutual respect between the three nations and it's pretty cool two games in a World Cup for all three of us to play each other."

Pocock has proved a revelation at this tournament despite playing in the largely unfamiliar role of No.8. Michael Hooper's outstanding play meant the Waratahs No.7 couldn't be left out, forcing Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to consider shifting the Brumbies openside to the tail of the scrum.

But he hasn't really had to go about his business any differently, the combination with Hooper and blindside Scott Fardy meaning the trio worry less about the numbers on their back and more about how they can work as a unit -- the 'Faroocock'.

That nickname may take some time to replace the Pooper, but there is no doubt the Wallabies have built something special across numbers six, seven and eight.

"It's been a lot fun -- it's obviously a new challenge," Pocock said of the shift to No.8.

"I was fairly lucky in that during the Brumbies' [Super Rugby] season I did a lot of extra work at No.8 -- they were always short a No.8 so I just jumped in and helped out. So I've done a little bit of stuff but it's obviously very different going from training to games.

David Pocock© Richard Heathcote - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images

"But I've really enjoyed it, particularly playing alongside Michael Hooper and Scott Fardy. We did a lot of work, particularly in the couple of weeks in the USA, trying to work on that combination and make it less about the number on your back and more about working in a team. So I've really enjoyed the challenge."

Saturday's final will almost certainly be All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw's final Test, giving Pocock one last opportunity to go head-to-head with the man regarded as the best No.7 to ever play the game.

It's a contest the 27-year-old Aussie says he'll relish.

"He's a player who's been at the top of his game for a long time and he's someone who's proven that he can perform to that level over lots and lots of Tests," he said.

"So it's always a challenge and I'm really looking forward to it."