1
Michael Hooper on last Perth win: 'That feels like a lifetime ago'
By AAP
Auckland was a graveyard, but the Wallabies will be hit by a wave of positive memories when they step out onto the "colosseum" that is Optus Stadium for Sunday's Bledisloe Cup showdown with the All Blacks.
The Wallabies can't regain the Bledisloe Cup this year after suffering 33-25 and 57-22 defeats in the opening two fixtures at Eden Park last month.
Australia's last victory against the All Blacks in Auckland came back in 1986.
But the story is far different in Perth, where the Wallabies beat the All Blacks 47-26 two years ago.
The All Blacks were reduced to 14 men just before halftime in that match when Scott Barrett was dismissed for a dangerous tackle.
Nevertheless, the sparkling display from the Wallabies was a huge confidence booster that has lived fondly in the memories of Australian players ever since.
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper hopes his team can produce another hot display on Sunday in front of a crowd of around 60,000 fans.
"Two years ago - that feels like a lifetime ago with what the world was like in 2019," Hooper said.
"We played a really strong performance and kept the foot on the gas in that game.
"There were some big calls in that game. But the ability to stay on what we wanted to do that night was great.
"Fast forward two years, we'll be looking to take that into the game."
The Wallabies' overall record in Perth is excellent, having won six of their past seven matches there.
The only blip in that period was a 23-23 draw with South Africa in 2017, when Western Force jerseys dominated the crowd following the controversial axing of the popular franchise.
That game was played at the now-demolished Subiaco Oval, with the atmosphere not even coming close to what was on show at the $1.6 billion Optus Stadium two years ago.
"The stadium's imposing - a colosseum type feel," Hooper said.
"I have vivid memories of the game [against the All Blacks] finishing, songs being played and the fans hanging around for a long time after the game. It was really special."
- Justin Chadwick
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Stuart Lancaster takes giant stride towards immediate Racing 92 exit
3
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh on Joe Schmidt’s future post-Lions
4
Glasgow coach jumps to defence of McDowall who faces possible huge ban
5
Latest Comments
Recent complaints that SA players have a 12-month workload isn't of itself a credible enough excuse to lay at the door of EPCR administrators. If SA clubs want to participate in NH league and club competitions and also participate in SH internationals, then clearly something has to give.
From the EPCR perspective, I do think that the format/schedule issues can be fixed if there's a strong enough desire to remove some of the logistical challenges clubs are facing with these long and frequent trips across the hemispheres.
From the SA player workload perspective however, I'm not sure how players can participate safely and competitively at both the club and international levels. Perhaps - and as Rassie appears to be developing, SA develop a super squad with sufficient player numbers and rotation to allow players to compete across the full 12-month calendar.
Bottom line though, is the geographical isolation is always going to restrict SA's ability to having the best of both worlds.
Go to commentsMoriaty refused to play for wales also he’s injured, France’s is being coy about wales, North in the dark but Sam David and jerad are you joking their not good enough
Go to comments