- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
After the Waratahs’ performance against the Hurricanes last Saturday night you simply couldn’t have failed to notice Michael Hooper.
He was in support for every break, he hit the majority of rucks and he continued his reign as the top tackler in the Waratahs.
Hooper shouldn’t be looked past for the Wallaby open side flanker position.
At the moment there are three people in contention for the number seven jersey to take on the British and Irish Lions.
You have George Smith, who may not be available for selection anyway, Liam Gill, who has been tremendous this year, and Michael Hooper who has been quiet in the media thus far.
The Wallaby selection panel will have to weigh up experience, leadership and form.
Form versus experience is often a crucial decision coming into such important series.
At this moment, if a team was to be picked for this tour, George Smith would be the seven.
His form thus far as been outstanding. He is one of the leaders in ball steals in the competition and his leadership skills will come in handy.
Liam Gill, while he has been in great form, will be hard to pick seeing as he has little international experience.
Michael Hooper does have one solid season of international rugby under his belt, but his form of late hasn’t been great in a struggling Waratah pack.
Let’s say George Smith wasn’t available for selection leaving Hooper and Gill.
The selectors have to take into consideration which team each player has been playing in.
Liam Gill has been in a dominant pack and a winning team this season. Michael Hooper has been playing in an ‘on off’ pack and hasn’t really stood out.
Part of my reasoning for picking Michael Hooper as the Wallaby openside flanker revolves around how many debutants Robbie Deans will pick for this series.
Liam Gill is a safe option as a debutant but Michael Hooper’s 2012 European tour form should put him one step ahead for the number seven jersey.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.