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'I saw that last night and was shocked' - Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper speaks out about match-fixing allegations

By Online Editors
Michael Hooper. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper was “shocked” to learn of claims the Australian rugby union team had been investigated for match fixing after losing a test match they’d been favoured to win.

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A report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday night suggested the Wallabies were probed for match fixing several years ago and that a sporting official had recommended the investigation be re-opened.

While the report didn’t specify the particular match, nor suggest the Wallabies fixed any game on Hooper’s watch, the incumbent skipper said he personally –  plus his teammates – had never given anything less than their best efforts while wearing the gold jumper.

“You can’t give more than a 100 (percent),” Hooper said on Friday.

“That’s the way I’m built and the guys I’ve played with have all been cut from the same cloth and I can speak on behalf of the guys I’ve played with for sure.”

The report alleged there was a “deep concern” about a Wallabies loss and there had been suspicious activity in a test the Wallabies were widely expected to win.

Rugby Australia released a statement on Friday, denying any such investigation was ever conducted.

“A headline attached to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald today suggested Rugby Australia had investigated a Wallabies test match “from several years ago” in relation to the possibility of match fixing,” the statement said.

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“Rugby Australia wishes to confirm it has seen no evidence in regards to inappropriate betting activity or match fixing and has no record of any such investigation occurring in the past.

“Rugby Australia takes any allegation of match fixing very seriously and would always thoroughly investigate should any person or entity ever provide information to the Integrity Unit.”

A ferocious competitor and dual John Eales Medallist as Australia’s player of the year, Hooper was horrified by the allegations.

“I saw that last night and was shocked,” the champion flanker said before his NSW Waratahs’ captain’s run at the SCG.

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“And then I’ve seen Rugby Australia’s comment this morning and that puts it to bed really.

“So (I’m) not really (surprised or offended), no. Not really thinking about that.

“It’s just come out. I’m not focusing on it too much. I hope there’s nothing to it.”

AAP News

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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