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If the Wallabies don’t beat the Boks at Suncorp tonight, coach Michael Cheika has no option but to punt Michael Hooper to the pine.
The Boks were beaten 32-19 last round of the Rugby Championship by the Pumas, chalking up only their third win in 33 games of the tournament since 2012.
In that time the Pumas have scored 576 points, and given up 1096, for a deficit of 520.
So beware of the beaten Boks.
To make life difficult the Wallabies best player David Pocock has succumbed to a neck injury after being systematically strangled by the All Black pack at Eden Park last round.
So it’s time for captain Hooper to stand up, and be counted.
He’s been a passenger during the six losses in seven starts this campaign, that included lasting only 15 minutes in the third Test against Ireland with a hamstring tear.
But those six losses have taken his captaincy stats to a miserable winning percentage of just 38 as the Wallabies have tumbled to fifth in the world rankings.
Tonight is crossroads time for Hooper.
Cheika has taken long overdue strong action, dumping goal-kicking pivot Bernard Foley to the bench, switching Kurtley Beale to 10, promoting Matt Toomua to 12, and bringing back Israel Folau from injury that forced Dane Haylett-Petty to the wing, and Jack Maddocks back to the bench.
That was a big punt with Foley, leaving the vital goal-kicking responsibilities to Beale with the long range attempts to Reece Hodge.
But Cheika hadn’t counted on Pocock being a non-starter.
What Cheika really needs tonight is for Hooper to lead from the front, doing the job he’s been selected to do, instead of playing second fiddle to Pocock.
Hooper must concentrate on his specific job as open-side flanker, and stop swanning among the backs trying to play the hero role.
And with Pocock out, halfback Will Genia must project himself into the fray to inspire the troops if Hooper’s not doing well enough.
Not only is Genia a senior Wallaby, he’s honest about the team’s current failings.
“Too many aren’t doing their jobs,” was Genia’s summation of the two All Black hammerings, scoring 12 tries to four.
That’s far more honest than Hooper saying no All Black would be picked in the Wallaby squad if he was selecting.
Cut the crap captain, and return to the real world.
The Wallabies can beat any team if they stick to the rugby basics of passing, catching, supporting, tackling, and retaining possession as the launching pad to their natural flair.
It’s beyond belief we have to point out the basics are missing when they should have been automatic since junior days.
Which begs the question how are so many players being selected when their basics are missing in action?
So tonight fingers crossed tonight for the Wallabies to get out of the doldrums and start earning their big bucks.
And that includes the six million dollar man becoming Captain Calypso instead of Captain Collapso.