Hooper pinpoints ‘world-class’ standard driving Wallabies under Les Kiss

Australian backrower Tom Hooper has pinpointed the “world-class” standard Les Kiss has brought to training with the Wallabies, who are now unbeaten from three matches under their relatively new head coach.

The Wallabies held on for a 27-21 win over Los Pumas in Jujuy, Argentina, which has extended their perfect streak to 3-0 under Kiss. Joe Schmidt finished up in the top job after the July Nations Championship Tests, with Kiss taking over last month.

Following two Flight Centre Series victories over the Brave Blossoms, the Wallabies made the long-haul trip to South America. Argentina is revered as one of the hardest places to win in international rugby, but the Wallabies made history on Saturday.

It’s the first time in five years the Wallabies have won four straight matches in the same calendar year, with loose forwards Fraser McReight and Hooper among the try-scorers for the visitors at Estadio 23 de Agosto.

“The way he communicates is very calming… he’s brought a really good mindset in terms of how we’re training,” Hooper said post-game on Stan Sport, when asked about the impact Kiss has had on the group.

“If you want to be world-class and get good results and lift a bit of silverware, you’re going to have to train world-class and he’s certainly bringing that standard to training.

“But you know, a lot of continuity from Joe brought in and he hasn’t thrown the baby out of the bathwater. He’s kept a lot of the good stuff there and really motivated us to just keep pushing forward.”

McReight was officially recognised with Player of the Match honours, but both Hooper and No. 8 Rob Valetini also stood out. Valetini was a standout in both attack and defence, while Hooper scored a try and helped make a difference at the set-piece.

Coach Kiss opted to rotate regular skipper and No. 8 Harry Wilson out of the 23 this week, noting there is still a lot of rugby to be played this season. That decision opened the door for ‘Hoops’ to start alongside ‘Bobby V’ and McReight.

“It’s awesome, mate. Played a lot of footy in that backrow combination and I really enjoy playing with those guys,” Hooper explained.

“Obviously as a lineout forward I know that I’ve just got to get through a bit of work and those guys can do the flashy stuff.

“It’s a good combination, I really enjoy playing with that. We’ve just got so much depth in that position… you saw Charlie Cale come on and add heaps, especially from a lineout perspective.

“We’ve got really good depth that position at that moment which is great. Competition breeds success there.”

Josh Canham and Jeremy Williams linked up early, with the two locks setting up Brandon Paenga-Amosa for an early score. Fly-half Carter Gordon crashed over for another five-pointer only four minutes later.

Argentina hit back through Geronimo Prisciantelli almost immediately, before McReight got on the board. It was an eight-point ballgame at the break, with scrum-half Ryan Lonergan contributing with seven points off the kicking tee.

Both teams scored one try each during the second term, with Hooper powering over for the Wallabies. No points were scored in the final 26 minutes, as the visitors hung on for a gritty win a long way away from home.

“Here at altitude. The shoulders are sore, the lungs are sore, the legs have a bit of chafing on them so going to get the [Vaseline] straight on.

“It was a bloody hard Test match.

“Just looking at a bit of gold support there that have travelled a long way to support us, very grateful for them and obviously the 23 and the whole 25 [player squad] that we’ve got here, it got us over the line.”