Ex-Wallabies captain Michael Hooper named to debut on SVNS Series
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is set to debut on the SVNS Series at the prestigious event in Hong Kong next month after being named in Australia’s 13-man squad.
Hooper, 32, is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in Australian rugby history after playing 125 Test matches and winning a record four John Eales Medals.
The SVNS recruit trained with the Australian side for the first time last year, but an Achilles injury has delayed Hooper’s start in his quest to make the squad for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
Hoops is IN 🤩#Aussie7s #HSBCSVNSHKG pic.twitter.com/AxoeJJmAtr
— Australia Sevens (@Aussie7s) March 27, 2024
But Hooper, who travelled with the Aussies to Vancouver and Los Angeles but didn’t take the field, will enter the fray of rugby sevens at the world-famous Hong Kong Stadium on April 5-7.
Hooper is one of two changes to Australia’s squad with coach John Manenti also welcoming back Maurice Longbottom who returns from a calf injury.
“We’re really excited about heading back to Hong Kong, where we have had some recent success,” Manenti said in a statement.
“Our performances in LA were some of our best this season and we have the opportunity be better again next week.
“We welcome back Maurice Longbottom, who will add some spark in the midfield and for the first time we’ll get to see Michael Hooper in an Australian Sevens jersey.
“‘Hoops’ has worked hard to make his way into the squad, and we’re all delighted to welcome the ‘rookie’ into the mix.
“Like any new player it will be a learning experience for him, and an important start point to a potential Paris Olympics.
“Every pool is tough and ours is no exception with Fiji first up and then LA winners France to kick off day one action. We’ll need to be at our best.”
Australia made back-to-back Cup finals earlier this season and continued to fight hard during the two most recent legs in North America.
As for the women’s side, who still sit above arch-rivals New Zealand on the overall SVNS Series standings, they’ve made three changes including the return of Bienne Terita.
Terita, who was scoring tries for fun before picking up an injury at SVNS Perth in January, returns to Tim Walsh’s side along with Heidi Dennis and debutant Bridget Clark.
In a major blow to the squad, Dominique Du Toit and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea are both out with injuries.
“The Olympic runaway is nearly upon us, and the squad is coming together providing some real depth, points of difference and some experienced and stable combinations,” Walsh said.
“Dominque Du Toit is unavailable due to a lingering ankle injury, paving the way for debutant Bridget Clark.
“It’s a welcome return to a very powerful and dangerous player in the form of Bienne Terita.
“Bienne adds experience, speed and a physical presence to the line-up. Also returning for her second appearance is the young and explosive Heidi Dennis.”
Michael Hooper and the Australian men’s team kick off their campaign in Hong Kong against Fiji at 8:30pm (AEDT) on Friday 5 April.
The women’s team are also playing Fiji first up at 3:25pm (AET) before playing Ireland later that evening.
Australia men’s sevens side for Hong Kong:
Henry Hutchison, Ben Dowling, Henry Palmer, Dietrich Roache, Henry Paterson, Matt Gonzalez, Nick Malouf, Maurice Longbottom, Nathan Lawson, James Turner, Hayden Sargeant, Michael Hooper, Michael Icely
Australia women’s sevens side for Hong Kong:
Sharni Smale, Faith Nathan, Teagan Levi, Madison Ashby, Charlotte Caslick, Kaitlin Shave, Tia Hinds, Bella Nasser, Maddison Levi, Heidi Dennis, Bridget Clark, Bienne Terita, Sariah Paki
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
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31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments