Frankly that question is unanswerable . Apples and oranges.
I think Pocock is a stand-out 7, and an acceptable 8 (particularly at test level) I think Hooper is a very good 7 (and nothing else) as I think McCalman an 8 (and probably no other position). I reckon Pocock desparately wants to play 7 at test level, again.
I suppose the real challenge facing Chek would be the selection of a real 8 (not Pocock) and then the selection of the best player at 7. I think without question he would pick Pocock
Why is it an unanswerable question? The question was essentially asked last year and Cheika answered it by picking Hooper at 7 and moving Pocock to 8 and the Wallabies produced their best football and results in years (with Pocock and Hooper consistently amongst their best players).
What about Pocock doesn't make him a "real 8"? His ball running ability has improved out of sight and he regularly makes hard metres in tight and works as a linking player. His defence is outstanding and he makes a lot of tackles and there is no one better than him at the breakdown. He had zero issues controlling the ball at the back of the scrum and linking with the halfback when required.
When Pocock was our best player at the RWC last year playing number 8 in a tournament where the team exceeded expectations in, it's pretty nonsensical to argue that he is just an "acceptable 8".
Why do you think Pocock wants to play 7 at test level again? Aside from packing down at a different position in the scrum what exactly changed about the way he played? If anything, having Hooper also on the field who makes a lot of tackles and particularly dominant tackles behind the advantage line, gave Pocock more opportunities than he previously had to win turnover ball at the breakdown. Arguably having Hooper also on the field allowed Pocock to do what he does best even better.
