Many of us have applauded Michael Hooper’s play at 7 for the Waratahs and Wallabies during the last two years. He rarely has a bad game and his style of play certainly fits the bill required by Michael Cheika and Ewen McKenzie.
Hooper has developed into a world class openside flanker.
However over the last two seasons we have seen virtually none of David Pocock’s play on the rugby field.
Pocock’s return in 2015 will initiate debate as to whom between Hooper and Pocock should be the Wallaby 7 – especially during a Rugby World Cup year.
So what do the two bring to the table?
Hooper has the better all-round game. He is quicker, has good defence, good hands, runs and carries the ball extremely well, backs up play and links well with the backs, and is an inspirational leader.
Pocock plays tighter, has good defence, is excellent at the pilfer, extremely strong over the ball, carries ok in tight but is slower around the field, and rarely passes or links with the backs. Pocock did not get much of a chance to showcase his leadership skills so it is unfair to judge on that ability.
So we have two players with differing styles who both play 7 and whom the Wallabies would ideally like to have on the field at the same time. So how do we achieve this?
Currently the Wallabies are down to the fourth and fifth-choice hookers.
Our number one and two hookers, Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polata-Nau, are 31 and 29 respectively. David Pocock is 26.
Pocock is the right height for a hooker. He has incredible upper body and core strength. Is it too late for a positional change to turn Pocock into a hooker?
I don’t have the depth of knowledge to answer the technical issues, however it might be a solution to both future Brumby and Wallaby hooking issues.
Currently at 7 we have Hooper and Liam Gill is not far behind. Pocock may have difficulty climbing back up that tree, especially in a year where the Brumbies coaching staff may prefer to bring him back slowly to ensure a full recovery from his knee issues.
Could Pocock be converted to a hooker, playing off the bench at the Brumbies, spelling Moore, getting maybe 20 minutes a game, learning the hooking arts and gaining confidence in his knee?
I see him as an Aussie Bismarck du Plessis. He would be an ideal hooker for the modern game.
aussiecrusader
Guest
It wasn't long ago that Pocock was being heralded as a better player than Richie McCaw.How lucky is Australia to have another one? But hang on !.Both these players combined have 81 tests between them while Richie has cracked 133 nearly 50 more test matches and because of his pain threshold Richie has not spent anything like the time off from the game of the Aussie pair. This sounds a familiar story to how Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuguri were going to be Australia's answer to Jonah Lomu.
Dooggy
Guest
World Cup Semi, schooled by one-foot-mccaw
DT
Guest
Asking a guy to learn how to hook the ball and scrummage to test level in one or two years is unrealistic.
Injuries unfortunately impacts a player physically and mentally, but we also need to remember SMith was out for more than two years, and e is over 30. I wonder how hungry a 33 year old man is after a very long period of absence?
The issue is pilfering is not a one man job for many teams anymore. SA uses four players in their pack as pilferers, it is all about balance. If McKenzie is happy playing Hooper as a "loose" backrower then there is nothing wrong with that. But unless he balances it out by having other players take up the slack at the breakdown then it becomes a problem for the team.
AndrewWA
Guest
Hooper's tackling efficiency in Super XV is close to 92% but has averaged 83% for the 7 Tests in 2014. BUT it was <67% for France 2 (5 missed tackles) and 69% for AB2 (4 missed tackles) and 80% for Arg 1. Hooper has made turnovers in only 3 of the 7 Tests played in 2014. I have commented on his ruck involvement above. No-one is disputing Hooper's running game - just questioning his contribution and effectiveness up close and personal. He IS NOT playing the game that he played in Tests (or Super XV) in 2013. IF this is under instruction then I suggest the experiment should be bought to an end.
eagleJack
Guest
Yeah, cause fellow Wallabies vote for him because they " idolise the little tryer" Haha oh man you can't make this stuff up.
AndrewWA
Guest
In the game against the Pumas and for the 52 minutes while Toomua was on the field: Toomua – Involvement in 25 rucks with 1st or 2nd involvement for 17 of these (68%). Hooper – Involvement in 33 rucks with 1st or 2nd involvement for 15 of these (45%). Fardy - Involvement in 43 rucks with 1st or 2nd involvement for 27 of these (63%). McCalman - Involvement in 22 rucks with 1st or 2nd involvement for 18 of these (82%). Others: Hodgson (10 minutes) - Involvement in 4 rucks with 1st or 2nd involvement for 3 of these (75%). Higgers (30 minutes) - Involvement in 4 rucks with 1st or 2nd involvement for 3 of these (75%). Toomua being replaced by Beale and Fardy by Higgers meant that we lost some serious early ruck engagement and overall work rate which contributed to the Pumas' recovery.
AndrewWA
Guest
Hooper has made pilfers in only 3 of the last 7 Tests. In the last 2 Tests he has made early engagement (1st or 2nd) at rucks <50% of the time. IMO he shouldn't even be there if he's not there early. Let the bigger guys do the hard stuff... I'm gobsmacked that we're now going to change the whole game of Rugby, including trying to re-badge a player with Pocock's credentials, because we're trying to fit in a guy who doesn't/can't/elects not to/is acting under coaches instructions to not play the role of a conventional No 7. Hooper is not a 6. When Pocock returns it would be easier to re-badge Hooper as a 13 when AAC drops off. So all the other teams are wrong and only the Wallabies are setting the new standard??!! And we wonder why other countries thin that we're arrogant!
rugby heaven
Guest
Lol too funny . He won australian awards !!!! Who else would they give them too . Worth little outside of Australia
markjohnconley
Guest
Pocock, surely a 6!
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
I'm late to the party with this comment but it is worth noting that Tom Youngs played center until 2009 and 3 years later was hooker for England. No. 7 to hooker is much smaller leap than coming in from the backs (especially as Youngs had to seriously bulk up). Anyway, it's too close to RWC and in a few years Nathan Charles will do great work for the Wallabies.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I never said to move Moore, this move was proposed as the follow on to Moore at the Brumbies and follow on to Moore and TPN in the Wallabies.
Simon Bedard
Roar Pro
I agree that there have been a couple of decisions that were not ideal, but in fairness, he is every young and new to the job. A few tests to settle in and get used to the job, and learn to manage the pressure is probably fair. No doubt Moore will contest for the job though and with his enormous amount of experience there will be serious considerations. But something will have to happen for the captaincy to be taken off Hooper. I don't think it is a walk up start for Moore to take the captaincy...although I agree it will likely be a walk up start for the Hooker role. But then again he will have proven himself over the Super Rugby season. Totally agree with your comments on Pocock if he comes back fit and challenges....which I am sure he will do. But the challenge piece is a requirement.
Simon Bedard
Roar Pro
No doubt Terry. The debate will rage on, it certainly stirs up a lot of opinions. I just read a lot of comments that Pocock will replace a hooper when he gets back, and I am always surprised to hear it given his lack of game time over such an extended period. Great player....when he was fit. I hope he contests for the Wallabies position, it will only add value to the team. But players must be picked on performance, not reputation. This was, in my opinion, one of the major failings of Robbie Deans.
Spanners
Guest
Correct. Though an important point is that both Fourie and Brits were both hookers through under-age and Provincial rugby through to Super Rugby. They transitioned from hooker to flanker, not the other way around.
Spanners
Guest
For the blokes wanting to shift Hooper from 7, just put this in perspective by looking at his stats in the RC v Richie McCaw, who has been the benchmark in the position for a decade. Hooper: 36 Runs 16 Tackle Busts 3 Tries 3 Line Breaks 40 Tackles 10 Missed Tackles 2 Turnovers Forced 0 Pilfers 3 Penalties Conceded 1 Error McCaw: 22 runs 3 Tackle Busts 3 Tries 56 Tackles 6 Missed Tackles 1 Turnover Forced 0 Pilfers 5 Penalty Conceded 1 Yellow Card 1 Error Hoopers stats are off the chart and he has been the best player for the Wallabies and the Waratahs for a couple of seasons. Wallaby debut in 2012, Wallaby Rookie of the year 2012, Brumbies best forward 2012, Australian Super Rugby Player of the year 2013, Waratahs Player of the year 2013, Wallaby Player of the year 2013, Waratahs Players Player 2014. For mine, I'd let Hooper and Pocock play in their preferred position and then pick the best player. If Pocock thinks he can take the 7 jersey back, power to him. If he thinks he is a better shot at the 2 jersey, he will probably have to change clubs as I can't see the Brumbies getting rid of Stephen Moore in a hurry. It is pie in the sky stuff anyway. Pocock will be 27 next year and I can't see learning the dark arts of scrummaging in the frontrow and lineout throwing (to an international standard) in the twilight of his career. Especially on the back of 2 and bit games since 2012.
MJB
Guest
I was thinking the same thing, Toomua is usually faster to the rucks than Hooper.
Sportym
Guest
I'd love to see toomua's stats . Cause I swear he is doing a better job as a 7 than hooper. And yes the pilfers are in you imagination . I have been watching the RC this year and I just see them. And don't bring up the past ion how he did last year etc etc. let's focus on his game at the moment. 2013 hooper was a great 7, 2014 he is an outside back
Red Kev
Roar Guru
No, you're wrong Terry - you loose Moore (the best player in Australian rugby for the last two years) and TPN (who is still the strongest scrummaging hooker in Australia).