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'I saw that last night and was shocked' - Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper speaks out about match-fixing allegations
By Online Editors
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper was "shocked" to learn of claims the Australian rugby union team had been investigated for match fixing after losing a test match they'd been favoured to win.
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday night suggested the Wallabies were probed for match fixing several years ago and that a sporting official had recommended the investigation be re-opened.
While the report didn't specify the particular match, nor suggest the Wallabies fixed any game on Hooper's watch, the incumbent skipper said he personally - plus his teammates - had never given anything less than their best efforts while wearing the gold jumper.
"You can't give more than a 100 (percent)," Hooper said on Friday.
"That's the way I'm built and the guys I've played with have all been cut from the same cloth and I can speak on behalf of the guys I've played with for sure."
The report alleged there was a "deep concern" about a Wallabies loss and there had been suspicious activity in a test the Wallabies were widely expected to win.
Rugby Australia released a statement on Friday, denying any such investigation was ever conducted.
"A headline attached to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald today suggested Rugby Australia had investigated a Wallabies test match “from several years ago” in relation to the possibility of match fixing," the statement said.
"Rugby Australia wishes to confirm it has seen no evidence in regards to inappropriate betting activity or match fixing and has no record of any such investigation occurring in the past.
"Rugby Australia takes any allegation of match fixing very seriously and would always thoroughly investigate should any person or entity ever provide information to the Integrity Unit."
A ferocious competitor and dual John Eales Medallist as Australia's player of the year, Hooper was horrified by the allegations.
"I saw that last night and was shocked," the champion flanker said before his NSW Waratahs' captain's run at the SCG.
"And then I've seen Rugby Australia's comment this morning and that puts it to bed really.
"So (I'm) not really (surprised or offended), no. Not really thinking about that.
"It's just come out. I'm not focusing on it too much. I hope there's nothing to it."
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Latest Comments
Agree with Wilson B- at best. And that is down to skilled individual players who know how to play the game - not a cohesive squad who know their roles and game plan. For those who claim that takes time to develop, the process is to keep the game plan simple at first and add layers as the squad gels and settles in to the new systems. Lack of progress against the rush D, lack of penetration and innovation in the mid-field, basic skill errors and loose forwards coming second in most big games all still evident in game 14 of the season. Hard to see significant measureable progress.
Go to commentsKeep telling yourself that. The time for a fresh broom is at the beginning - not some "balanced, incremental" (i.e. status quo) transition. All teams establish the way forward at the beginning. This coaching group lacked ideas and courage and the players showed it on the pitch. Backs are only average. Forwards are unbalanced and show good set piece but no domination in traditional AB open play. Unfortunately, Foster - Mark 2. You may be happy with those performances and have some belief in some "cunning plan" but I don't see any evidence of it. Rassie is miles ahead and increasing the gap.
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