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‘Reopened a wound’: Michael Hooper reveals ‘doubt’ after sevens switch
As the new kid on the rugby sevens block, former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has opened up about the “doubt” that’s seeped into his mind after embarking on the exciting new chapter.
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For a man who will go in history as one of the most individually decorated players in the history of Australian rugby, Hooper wasn’t going to let Rugby World Cup heartbreak define him.
Hooper, who had been named as one of Australia’s two co-captains at the start of The Rugby Championship, was left out of the Wallabies’ squad for the sports showpiece event by coach Eddie Jones.
Jones later questioned whether Hooper – along with playmakers Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley – were good “role models” for the team, much to the surprise of rugby fans everywhere.
But harbouring ambitions of representing Australia on the international stage, Hooper isn’t done yet. Hooper has taken up a bold new opportunity that could see him become an Olympian in 2024.
Rugby Australia unveiled Hooper as the latest addition to the men’s sevens side earlier this month, with the Wallabies’ most capped captain in history set to officially join the group in January.
After 125 Tests for the Wallabies, the man affectionally known as ‘Rook’ within the sevens group has discussed his reasons for switching to the sport’s shorter format.
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“A completely new challenge. There’s a massive carrot at the end and it’s something I never thought I’d be able to even have a look at in my career which is the Olympics,” Hooper said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“I’ve done the same thing for a long period of time and yes it’s been exciting to push myself at that level but this is a completely different thing.
“I think that’s the main excitement for me is to try and see if I can do something else and then be good at it.”
Hooper has always had his critics, possibly more than most. Whether it was down to his perceived lack of size or the Wallabies’ poor form, some of the blame seemed to find its way back to Hooper.
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But the four-time John Eales Medallist will go down in history as one of the best to have ever donned Wallaby gold. At least as an individual, the accolades speak for themselves.
While Hooper achieved some incredible feats in 15s, switching to SVNS is an all-new ball game – so of course there’s going to be “doubt.”
“Of course there’s doubt. I thought I was gonna go to the World Cup and didn’t so you’ve reopened a wound there,” Hooper said while laughing.
“This is our game; injury, form, selection, are you even good enough to get in the team? I’ve come in here and there is genuine guns in here and I’ve got to work my way in.
“It’s a different game. We’re passing, we’re scrumming, we’re doing the things we do in rugby but this is a different kettle of fish and that’s what’s so exciting.
“The idea that things might not work out enters my mind but it’s on me to push that down and do the work to try and make sure it doesn’t happen.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Typical trait of an australian is to moan. Goes well with there lack of humbleness as evident by the Reds bench on the weekend.
2 Go to commentsSBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
3 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
2 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
3 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to comments