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Michael Hooper closing in on astonishing world record

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

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Michael Hooper has grounds to call himself the most durable rugby player on the planet as he closes on a test landmark that may never be beaten.

Because of his inclusion in Saturday’s team to face Uruguay, Wallabies captain Hooper looks set to play in all of Australia’s games at the Rugby World Cup, continuing a career seemingly coated in teflon.

A 100th test cap looms in the quarter-finals, assuming Australia qualify.

That milestone is nothing exceptional. Sixty players have already raised their ton.

It’s the speed at which 97-test veteran Hooper has raced towards three figures that sets him apart.

Continue reading below…

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If the landmark arrives in the October 19 quarter-final in Oita, the openside flanker will have taken seven years and 136 days – about 10 months faster than anyone else.

All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock tops the current list, having taken eight years and 67 days to reach his century.

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Adding to the legend, Hooper will still be 27. Very few of rugby’s centurions hit the milestone before they turned 30.

Hooper is also regarded as one of rugby’s busiest on-field players, plying his trade in its most demanding position.

He routinely plays 80 minutes for his country and for the NSW Waratahs, having this year topped the Super Rugby competition tackle count with 223.

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Waratahs teammate Jack Dempsey, who starts in the same back row as the skipper this weekend, can scarcely believe what he sees Hooper go through each week.

“The biggest thing that always sticks out about Hoops is not only that he looks after his body so well (but) he can play every week and play 80 minutes,” Dempsey said.

“The level that he plays at consistently is what’s pretty amazing.

“It’s something you can try to emulate, I guess, but he’s kind of another level, I think.”

Not surprisingly, Hooper was the fastest player to reach 50 test caps, achieving it in the semi-finals of the 2015 World Cup.

Since then, he’s become the youngest player, at 25, to compile 100 Super Rugby caps.

Another Australian No.7 had previously held the mark for quickest test centurion but George Smith has dropped to fourth in recent years, surpassed by Whitelock and fellow All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Kieran Read.

A quick scan of current players with 50 or more caps to their name show none have a mathematical chance of reaching 100 quicker than Hooper.

It means the record will last to the next World Cup and, most probably, beyond.

AAP

In other 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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B
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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