'There's some big fellas': Michael Hooper stunned by Australia's forward as Wallabies prepare for France
Captain Michael Hooper believes new Wallabies forwards coach Dan McKellar will be “licking his lips” at the size of some of his players as he looks to bring a harder edge to the squad.
Brumbies coach McKellar is preparing for his first test series, with the Wallabies taking on France over three games early next month starting at the SCG on July 7.
Hooper, who has recently returned from a sabbatical playing rugby in Japan, said he was feeling the effects after joining the Wallabies in camp on the Gold Coast.
“I may look fresh but the body is pretty sore after a couple of days,” Hooper said on Friday.
“Two weeks in quarantine and then my own training is definitely not where I need to be for some of these guys.
“You forget how big some of the units are here – Sitaleki Timani and Rob Leota – there’s some big fellas here; there’s a bit a pack size change to what I’ve been used to.”
Western Force lock Timani, who played his last test in 2013, weighs in at 118kg and stands 203cm while newcomer, Rebels flanker Leota is 110kg and 190cm.
Hooper said he had already noticed McKellar’s impact on the group.
“He brings a bit of a hard nose, and I’ve noticed that in the first couple of days,” Hooper said of McKellar.
“He’s got a solid track record there of being able to put together a maul and run a really effective ship and lead a good forwards unit.
“The bodies and size of the people that we have in this environment, he’s got more of that to play with.
“It’s just like a natural progression that guys just seem to get bigger the more levels you go up, so he’s probably licking his lips with some of the specimens he’s got in here in the room.”
The All Blacks have reportedly lost yet another key player just weeks out from their July test series against Tonga and Fiji. #AllBlacks https://t.co/gbN5QLYMjS
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Despite some disappointing Australian results in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, Hooper said that he was impressed with the improvement of some players since last year and some of the new faces.
He said that watching from afar had given him a different perspective on rugby and he’d grown personally, mentally and physically.
But he stopped short of advocating sabbaticals for all test players to keep them from permanent big-money moves overseas.
Of the current squad, Marika Koroibete and Isi Naisarani are set to shift offshore while hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa will move to France at the end of the year.
“I think it’s certainly something we should explore, but I’m not saying it’s something that should be a given right for players because each player has a unique path and a unique development,” Hooper said.
“It’s certainly something we should explore … but it is a fine balance, we need experienced players to funnel back information and experience to younger players.
“Getting that balance right I know is something that (Wallabies coach Dave Rennie) is big on and has a really open mind to as well.
“I never saw that happening for myself and then the opportunity presented itself and I now see it as being beneficial.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments