Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Defiant Hooper wants to remain Wallabies captain as he closes in on record

  1. #1
    Senior Player
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    654
    vCash
    5114000

    Defiant Hooper wants to remain Wallabies captain as he closes in on record

    Defiant Hooper wants to remain Wallabies captain as he closes in on record

    By Tom Decent
    December 4, 2020 — 4.37pm

    Michael Hooper has emphatically declared he wants to remain Wallabies captain in the future, saying he cherishes the role and doesn't regret his on-field decisions in Australia's draw with Argentina two weeks ago.

    In the final match of 2020, between Australia and Argentina at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday, Hooper will lead his country out for the 52nd time, putting him third on the overall Wallabies list behind George Gregan (59 Tests) and John Eales (55).

    Unless Hooper stands down or coach Dave Rennie goes in a different direction next year, he is almost certain to break the Australian record in 2021.

    However, the 29-year-old leader has come under fire in recent times. He took Australia's quarter-final exit at last year's World Cup as hard as anyone and stood down as Waratahs captain this season. He also spoke during the year about how it would be a privilege to remain Wallabies skipper but was happy leaving the decision to Rennie.

    As it turned out, there wasn't any serious contenders to take the captaincy away from Hooper and he has soldiered during a new era in Australian rugby.

    There has been criticism – notably that Hooper has won just 20 of 51 Tests in charge, to go with questions over some of his on-field decisions to kick for touch rather than for goal.

    Never one to back down from a hard question, Hooper was resolute when asked if he'd thought about standing aside.

    "Why would I? I'm focused on Saturday," he said. "Haven't thought about it."

    Pressed on whether he wanted to remain in the role, Hooper said: "Yeah, I think it's a massive privilege to captain your country. I've been very lucky to do it on many occasions and I love that. It's very rewarding as a unit and as a team when that group comes up with a plan and you execute a plan. It's super rewarding post-game when you put in a performance you're proud of.

    "They're the things, why you put yourself in this position. There's plenty more opportunities to get some better ones as well. That's very exciting for the future too."

    Hooper also rubbished talk that the national captaincy was something that was thrust upon him, rather than him grabbing it.

    "I get to stand in the line and not only represent my country but lead some men that have sacrificed a lot and we get to do a lot in the jersey and do that all across the world. I love that," Hooper said. "I know it's only a finite time you're able to do that in anyone's career. [It is a] great privilege and probably the longer I'm in the game, the more I realise the great position that we are in."

    The Wallabies turned down four kickable shots at goal during their 15-15 draw against Argentina in Newcastle but many inside camp have admitted they should have put the Pumas away when they were leading by nine points.

    Hooper, who has made the call to kick for the corner many times in his international career, is unapologetic when asked about his decision-making.

    He says tries will be firmly on Australia's mind as the men in gold look to finish the year on a high.

    "I was very pleased with my decisions in the last game," Hooper said. "We had our opportunity there to take the win and move away with it. At 6-15 with 19 minutes to go, we were primed to move and put that game to bed which we weren't able to do through our lack of discipline and game management there. We'll be better for that.

    "Would love to get some tries. [Wet] weather is going to be a factor into that but we want to get our wingers in the corner and get the ball in our exciting guys' hands.

    "We've got to play in smart areas of the field. [Nicolas] Sanchez has got an amazing boot on him. He did damage on us in that last game."

    https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-u...04-p56kqm.html

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  2. #2
    Veteran Bakkies's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Posts
    3,728
    vCash
    5000000
    Under the definition of insanity is a photo of Hooper.

    4 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'


    https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne

    Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca

    https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board

  3. #3
    Senior Player
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    654
    vCash
    5114000
    Time for him to go.

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  4. #4
    Veteran valzc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Denmark WA
    Posts
    2,841
    vCash
    5066000
    I really believe that for the Wobblies to develop & improve, the crux to the problem is Hooper. His mere presence is dominating the growth of players. I’ve noticed how little he seems to actually communicate with the team, always seems to be on the outer doing his own thing. Just seems to expend a lot of energy achieving not a lot & decision making aint a forté. Rennie needs to bite the bullet, defy the invisible powers at RA (et al Qld, NSW) & pull the pin. The sabbatical may be the perfect chance. Well done Pumas! Kudos to them for coming through all the crap they’ve had. Am going to have to learn some Spanish for this season!

    2 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  5. #5
    Player cedric rainwater's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    perth
    Posts
    196
    vCash
    5002000
    i want him to stay as captain for many many years

    1 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    cider my arse

Similar Threads

  1. _Michael Hooper to captain Wallabies under Dave Rennie
    By The InnFORCEr in forum Wallabies
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 24-09-20, 05:34
  2. Replies: 7
    Last Post: 29-08-20, 07:55
  3. Hooper Stands down as Waratahs captain
    By wasmute in forum NSW Waratahs
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 22-01-20, 19:22
  4. Hooper, Moore vie for Wallabies captaincy
    By The InnFORCEr in forum Wallabies
    Replies: 21
    Last Post: 02-12-14, 12:26
  5. Replies: 13
    Last Post: 10-06-14, 08:43

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •