The reason why Michael Hooper can't make the Wallabies cut - not even as a bench player
After 10 years spent playing rugby in Australia, incumbent Wallabies captain Michael Hooper has announced his decision to head overseas on a six-month sabbatical.
Hooper will link up with two-time World Cup winners Steve Hansen and Kieran Read at Toyota Verblitz in Japan’s Top League during the 2021 Super Rugby season.
During the COVID-19 pay negotiations, the players association struck a deal with Rugby Australia that would allow certain players to take advantage of a sabbatical clause to compensate for pay cuts.
Of the players eligible, Hooper is arguably the most in need of a rest. Throughout his career, he’s rightly welcomed praise and accolades for his energetic, tireless devotion to Australian rugby.
Logically, he’d need a break eventually.
Hooper has battled constant scrutiny over the years, mainly due to a perceived lack of size while playing arguably the most combative position on the field.
To his credit, he’s deservedly held his spot with his high work rate, ever-present involvement in the game and his unquestionable leadership qualities. This was even enough to see David Pocock, who many considered to be the best openside in the game, move to number eight for the Wallabies.
But even though he’ll likely be back for test matches next year, the sabbatical suggests that he’s into the backend of his days in gold. A new wave of promising young talent once again raises concerns over his standing within Dave Rennie’s plans, and his decision to head abroad seems like an attempt to see off the pressure from a new generation of challengers.
We could see a rejuvenated Michael Hooper return to Australia’s shores in time for tests in better nick than we’ve seen in recent years. For his international ambitions, he might need that. Just look at how some time in Japan helped Sam Whitelock.
Let’s take a look at how under pressure he actually is.
Dave Rennie named his most recent players of national interest (PONI) list last week, and unsurprisingly Hooper was named. Also selected as openside flankers were Queensland Reds duo Liam Wright and Fraser McReight.
Both players have been fantastic around the breakdown in particular throughout Super Rugby AU, with the former leading the competition with 20 turnovers to his name. McReight has also impressed with 11 even though he’s come off the bench in two matches, while Hooper has just eight from seven games played.
The Queenslanders have also proved to be reliable on defence, with Reds captain Wright again the best of the three with a tackle accuracy of 90.53 percent. Even though Hooper has only missed 13 tackles in Super AU, he has the worst percentage out of the trio at 87.74 percent.
But let’s not discredit Hooper completely.
Playing in his 150th Super Rugby match a few weeks ago, he was lively around the park and actively looked to get involved – classic Hooper. This approach to the game has seen the flanker run the most metres from the most carries out of the three over the first eight rounds, while also leading these flankers in try assists.
But when it comes to what a team needs the most from a flanker, most would agree: defence or probably efficiency around the breakdown are key. Hooper has been bettered by his younger counterparts in both of those areas so far in AU.
Of the three, Wright in particular is gunning for the Wallabies seven jersey despite playing mostly blindside in Super AU. The 22-year-old has been one of the standout players from the Australian competition, and his leadership has grown in leaps and bounds.
With Dave Rennie looking to usher in a golden generation of Wallabies success with so many young players selected in the PONI list, the team will need a leader for the future; one-test Wallaby Wright could be just that.
His teammate McReight was also last year’s Junior Wallabies captain and led Brisbane City in last season’s National Rugby Championship campaign. Another future candidate for the Wallabies captaincy.
So, what’s Hooper’s point of difference if he doesn’t have the captaincy?
Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes Rugby Australia should take notes from New Zealand Rugby.https://t.co/aDxqdLeYRr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 28, 2020
In January, Rennie said that Hooper would have to earn the captaincy, and there’s definitely a case to suggest that he hasn’t. He shows plenty of heart, but that and leadership can’t keep getting him selected when the country can’t win big games – it’s time for change.
When test rugby resumes, the Wallabies need a new-look back row to steer them towards success.
Harry Wilson appears all but certain of making the number eight jersey his own, and could bring the combination of himself, Wright and McReight to the test arena quite comfortably.
But on the PONI list, Wilson was also listed as a blindside flanker.
If he’s named at six and they elected to go with Isi Naisarani or the man I’m about to mention at eight, then it simply wouldn’t make sense to leave out both Queensland flankers; Hooper would have to be left out.
The player that I just alluded to has been a particular standout recently, and is really pushing his case for either the gold six or eight jumper.
Pete Samu has significantly better tackle accuracy than even Wright, currently at 92.17 percent; missing just four tackles in his six AU games. The 28-year-old has also scored two tries, made five more clean breaks than Hooper and has better discipline, having not conceded a penalty in AU against Hooper’s eight.
I know though, very different players.
But, the point that needs to be made is that there’s so much back row talent within Australian rugby, and promising future leaders, that Hooper simply can’t make the cut in the medium term – not even as a bench player.
The Wallabies need impact off the bench by way of power, brute strength and ferocity; that back rower position simply then has to go to Isi Naisarani.
No stopping Brumbies on a night when Amy Perrett became the first female to referee a Super Rugby match ? https://t.co/z3hwybXAv1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 28, 2020
Naisarani has had 49 carries in his three AU games since returning from injury, for 97 metres. His work rate and ability to get over the gain line is exactly what Australia need off the bench.
So for me, there’s three potential combinations for the Wallabies back row.
First, Hooper retains his position in the starting side due to his leadership qualities, lining up alongside either Wright or Samu at six, and Wilson at eight.
Next, the Reds trio of Wright, McReight and Wilson fill up the back row, while there’s no place for Hooper in the 23. When it comes to leadership concerns, Matt To’omua or Allan Alaalatoa should probably take the captaincy while Wright is named as a vice.
Finally, Wright plays openside while Harry Wilson lines up at eight, and Samu is named at blindside. Again, no room for Hooper as Naisarani comes off the bench.
I believe that the third option with To’omua as captain and Wright as a vice makes the most sense.
Hooper’s decision to explore what rugby can offer for six months next year is a risk, and it might just payoff for him. He could come back better than ever and save his place as a Wallabies regular.
But all things considered, it seems like it’s the beginning of the end for a test career which needs to be celebrated.
Comments on RugbyPass
I wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
4 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf 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.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
4 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to comments