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Rugby league convert poised for Waratahs debut while Rob Penney isn't ruling out Michael Hooper as captain

By Online Editors
Michael Hooper in action for Waratahs against Brumbies. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“Super” Michael Hooper remains the heart and soul of the NSW Waratahs and could easily captain the team again, according to coach Rob Penney.

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Having relinquished the Waratahs captaincy this season, Wallabies skipper Hooper turned in what Penney described as an unbelievable performance in last weekend’s opening round Super Rugby loss to the Crusaders.

“He’s had two months off since the World Cup and had 50 minutes (in a trial) against the Reds, and then to play like that for 80 minutes, incredible,” Penney said.

“As we know he’s a super man in more ways than one.”

While lock Rob Simmons has the captaincy after Hooper opted to stand down, Penney did not rule out the openside flanker regaining it in future seasons.

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“I guess the idea behind relinquishing the captaincy was to freshen him up and see the game through a different set of eyes and a different role,” he said.

“Geez, if we can get performances like that out of him over the next three or four years and he doesn’t have the C badge on, then it was a great decision.

“The captaincy thing is not always and forever, he could easily have it back at some point.”

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Former NRL forward Tepai Moeroa is poised to make his Super Rugby debut off the bench for the Waratahs in Saturday’s home game against the Blues in Newcastle.

Moeroa, who played over 100 first-grade games in six NRL seasons with Parramatta, can fill either of the centre positions, though 12 is the most likely.

“It’s early days for him but he’s a big strong man, he’s got a good skill set and his game understanding is what has really grown over the last month,” Penney said.

“We think the time is right now to see if it’s grown to a good enough level to contribute positively.

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“We think he will. If we’re right, then we’ve got another great bit of talent and depth in that midfield position, that is going to be very strong for us.”

Wallabies backrower Jack Dempsey has been promoted to the starting team at No.8, with Jed Holloway dropping to the bench, while prop Harry Johnson-Holmes is back after sickness forced him out of last week’s team.

Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Alex Newsome, Lalakai Foketi, Karmichael Hunt, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Will Harrison, Jake Gordon, Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Lachlan Swinton, Rob Simmons (c), Tom Staniforth, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Robbie Abel, Tom Robertson. Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Angus Bell, Tetera Faulkner, Ryan McCauley, Jed Holloway, Tepai Moeroa, Mitch Short, Jack Maddocks.

– AAP

Rugby Australia are set to enter a bidding war for a 16-year-old rugby league star:

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Bull Shark 3 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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