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Report: Michael Hooper to make shock code switch after Wallabies axing
By Kim Ekin
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is set to switch rugby codes in 2024 after he was left out of Eddie Jones' Rugby World Cup squad.
According to a report by Iain Payten of the Sydney Morning Herald, the 31-year-old flanker is set to accept a contract with the Sevens programme with an eye to Paris for the 2024 Olympics with the Australian men's Sevens side.
The Test centurion is looking at a one-year commitment and would first feature on the World Rugby Sevens circuit with Australia before the Olympics.
Hooper would expected to be a star attraction for the new Perths Sevens event in January, after the event moved from Sydney.
Australia gained automatic qualification for the Olympics after finishing fifth this year on the World Series.
Hooper's five-year deal with Rugby Australia is set to expire at the end of 2023 and the openside flanker has expressed interest in a switch to Sevens in the past, with the gruelling fitness requirements and the chance to win a gold medal appealing to the No 7.
Should Hooper go through with the switch, he would join stars Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi as high profile Wallabies to make the move in recent years.
France's superstar Antoine Dupont is also reportedly considering the 2024 Olympics as well.
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Latest Comments
What does Tamaiti need to do to get a scrum pen??? 😓
Go to commentsGreat game by Skelton, Valetini, McRight and Uru but the overall game was not as tight as the one against England and I guess Wales did that. The pack still has some issues with next level props below TT and Bell. I suggest that if we start with AAA or Slipper in the FR then start BPA as the hooker with Faessler coming off the bench.
Looking at some of the posts here and elsewhere I think McRight's contribution to this win is underestimated.
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