except he's a number 8!
IMO, this doesn't matter much. Australia is playing a backrow set-up that is completely different tactically to any other major nation. On defence, Hooper is operating as a tackler wide of the ruck using his natural speed over 20 metres to get to people as the ball arrives. Pocock is operating as second man in behind him to try and pilfer. If the other team operates closer to the ruck, then Pocock is still there as tackler using his natural strength to dominate.
In attack Pocock works as a link runner and Hooper as a linebreaker. They have completely different functions. We operate completely differently to everyone else and that is by design. Only Fardy could be thought of as a conventional backrower.
Operating as we do, conventional numbering and conventional backrow functions are of no matter whatsoever. Pocock is not a number 8, we don't have a conventional 8, but we go a whole lot better than most others - take England for example who play with three 6's (or used to). Eddie will toss that plan into the WPB very quickly.