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'Ready to go': Michael Hooper could make return against Scotland
By AAP
Michael Hooper could be set for a surprise return in Australia's spring tour-opening Test against Scotland after making an impressive comeback to the Wallabies fold.
After withdrawing from Australia's Rugby Championship opener in August due to mental-health concerns, the Wallabies' most-capped captain returned to full training this week.
Initially expected to be eased back into action after being named in the 36-man touring squad on Sunday, insiders say the tireless flanker is "ready to go" and will be considered for a return at Murrayfield on October 29 (October 30 AEDT).
"He's moving in the right direction," Wallabies skipper James Slipper said before Dave Rennie's squad flew out of Sydney on Wednesday.
"He wouldn't put himself up for selection if he didn't feel like he was ready to contribute and perform."
Even if Hooper is not picked to face the Scots, or comes off the bench, Slipper said the 121-Test stalwart and record four-times John Eales medallist is already making his mark back in Wallabies camp and had helped re-energise the squad.
"Hoops has been a big part of our team for the best part of a decade, if not more, so just to have his experience around the team - naturally that will lift the boys a fair bit," Slipper told reporters.
"He's definitely been missed. That sort of experience being taken out of the team, it was tough. It was a bit of a shock to most of the players and that's what makes it so great to see him back."
While he described Hooper's hiatus as a "breath of fresh air" for the 30-year-old, Slipper does not believe it is worth burdening the champion No.7 with the leadership just yet.
"As a good mate of his, I'm just happy that he's back and healthy. That's the main thing," Slipper said.
"Secondary to that is the captaincy. It's probably in everyone's best interests that Hoops just concentrates on himself.
"We want him enjoying himself and being happy. So I was happy to take the leadership role for the rest of the year and whatever happens in the future, that can happen."
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Latest Comments
Nah, that just needs some more variation. Chip kicks, grubber stabs, all those. Will Jordan showed a pretty good reason why the rush was bad for his link up with BB.
If you have an overlap on a rush defense, they naturally cover out and out and leave a huge gap near the ruck.
It also helps if both teams play the same rules. ARs set the offside line 1m past where the last mans feet were😅
Go to commentsYeah nar, should work for sure. I was just asking why would you do it that way?
It could be achieved by outsourcing all your IP and players to New Zealand, Japan, and America, with a big Super competition between those countries raking it in with all of Australia's best talent to help them at a club level. When there is enough of a following and players coming through internally, and from other international countries (starting out like Australia/without a pro scene), for these high profile clubs to compete without a heavy australian base, then RA could use all the money they'd saved over the decades to turn things around at home and fund 4 super sides of their own that would be good enough to compete.
That sounds like a great model to reset the game in Aus. Take a couple of decades to invest in youth and community networks before trying to become professional again. I just suggest most aussies would be a bit more optimistic they can make it work without the two decades without any pro club rugby bit.
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