'Would be mad not to have Hooper as captain': Wallabies captain's reappointment draws mixed reaction
After months of speculation about his future, Michael Hooper has been re-appointed as the captain of the Wallabies under Dave Rennie.
Hooper was largely a logical choice for the role as the incumbent, and now looks set to pass George Gregan as the longest-serving captain of the Australian national side. He’s also had plenty of test experience with and without the captaincy, as the second most capped campaigner in the Wallabies squad with 99-tests to his name.
But still, Hooper’s selection has both drawn praise and raised a few eyebrows, with the 28-year-olds there having been plenty of questions surrounding his place the team follwing his form throughout Super Rugby AU. Reds up-and-comers Fraser McReight and Liam Wright, both had imrpessive seasons, and applied plenty of pressure on Hooper’s hold on the seven jumper.
If Michael Hooper is the captain then it goes without saying that Michael Hooper is the first-choice openside flanker. @TomVinicombe examines what that means for the rest of the @Wallabies loose forwards.https://t.co/DKKFFBnX6f
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 23, 2020
But Hooper’s work rate has once again spoken volumes about his importance to any side, and has seemingly all but locked up his place in the Wallabies seven jersey. He exhibits an elite work rate, constantly running his heart out while playing in arguably the most combative position on the field.
More importantly though, as Australia try to get the most out of the promising next generation of talent coming through their ranks, they need a leader.
He’s set to lead a 44-man Wallabies squad which includes 16-uncapped players, many of those being members of last year’s Junior Wallabies World Championship Finalists. Hooper’s proven leadership will simply be invaluable this early on in their test careers. This was enough to keep David Pocock, who was arguably the best openside in World Rugby for a while, out of the Wallabies seven jersey for years.
At the same time though, Hooper has one of the worst winning records of any regular Wallabies captain, which in itself could’ve warranted change.
Following the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, here’s how Twitter reacted to the news:
You would be mad NOT to have Michael Hooper as Wallabies captain! Amazing leader and ruthless player| https://t.co/Prn4XGVWzd https://t.co/LyXqjkVfAz
— Andrew Ausage (@dru_ausage) September 23, 2020
Can’t believe Michale Hooper is just 28 years old! Thought he was at least pushing 35 – he’s been in the Australian team forever. Great choice by Dave Rennie #Wallabies #mchaelhooper
— Edward Barker (@EdwardB24376757) September 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/nlm78/status/1308613531445518336?s=20
I may be a kiwi, but much respect for Michael Hooper, all the very best for your time in New Zealand @wallabies .
— Suzanne Clark (@SuzymaySuzanne) September 23, 2020
Congrats Michael Hooper who has retained the @wallabies captaincy under new Coach Dave Rennie. Hoops deserves another crack under a new Coaching and Management set-up. He’ll have some new faces in the side as well. Exciting times! @FOXRUGBY
— Greg Clark (@greg_clarkie) September 23, 2020
Last month, Hooper announced a shock move to Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz, for the first half of 2021. While the decision turned heads at the time, it’s come under a lot more scrutiny since Wednesday’s announcement.
Congrats and well deserved Michael Hooper but all Wallabies should be playing in an Australian Super Rugby team and supporting Australian rugby no matter how brilliant they are on and off the field !
— Jennifer Elizabeth (Liz) (@smithliz29) September 23, 2020
Hooper defected to Japan. I guess he will lead the Wallaby preparations via Skype?
— grist4mill (@grist4mill1) September 23, 2020
So tired of his face and the game moved on! He is really outdated! You need a different type of flanker these days
— Ismael Soeker (@soekerdotcom) September 23, 2020
Hooper will lead the Wallabies in two Bledisloe Cup tests in New Zealand against the All Blacks on October 11th and 17th. Following that, SANZAR and Rugby Australia confirmed on Thursday morning, that Australia would host the entirety of the Rugby Championship from November 7 to December 12.
The Wallabies gathered in camp earlier this week following the Super Rugby AU Final, as they begin their preparations for the test matches ahead.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry 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.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments