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.
double agent
Guest
Got it. Pocock out injured with a neck injury has nothing to do with Rugby. Possibly he's just been watching too much tennis lately?
double agent
Guest
Trump just be aware. Posts of this nature are not appreciated on the Roar. You need to have a good hard look at yourself.
double agent
Guest
Kirky as I've said to you before you're quite welcome to stick to the Kiwi Roar.
double agent
Guest
"Pococks “strangle” tackle of Beauden Barrett" What are you smokin??
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Any goal kicker will score the team's points in that game... Unless you can demonstrate he is kicking long goals that others can't kick, or wide goals that others can't, it's kind of a pointless argument...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
McCaw was reasonably big for his era. O'Brien is 7 years younger than McCaw.
piru
Roar Rookie
He is the world's best in his position Jacko From a Kiwi
John R
Roar Guru
theroar.tmz
Blessing
Roar Rookie
McCaw was never a small number 7. At 6'2'' and a 107kgs, he was the same size as Sean O'Brien, Sam Warburton or Peter O'Mahony. O'Brien weighs only a kilogram more than McCaw, Warburton at 103kgs was a whole 4kgs less than Richie. Peter O'Mahony is an inch taller than Richie but weighs exactly the same. I would say McCaw was the same size as all the modern open sides. Hooper is very small. I get what you are trying to say but McCaw was never small.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Why do the Roar keep publishing the repeated tripe written by this person? Are you that desperate for someone to write articles?
DaveR
Guest
Whatever HiKa, but how can Hoops have any pressure on him at all when he is 1 month into his 5-year $$$$m contract? What is RA going to do - sit him out for 4 years and 11 months?
charels
It's 7 years since QC was the master if his craft. If he wants to play for the WBs he's welcome to try his luck in the Super comp.
charels
No, the unpoliced neck rolls in Bled 2 were obscene. Whatever happened in other games doesn't make it right. BTW this is not to enter the argument about where Pocock stands in the pantheon of world 7s, now or ever.
charels
+1
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Not reflective of reality in the outside world. But certainly here on the Roar. Did you not read this article, Fionn, and it’s insistence that “captaincy stats” are somehow relevant? And that Hooper is at a crossroads? Stand up or else? It’s like he’s never had a good game in Gold. We love looking for a scapegoat. It’s always one person’s fault, and if they weren’t there, presumably we’d win! Tonight, for Mr Lord, that scapegoat is Michael Hooper. If we fail I do expect a follow up analysis beating a similar drum, citing “captaincy stats” once again. If only Pocock was there, he’ll say! But if the Wallabies win and Hooper has a blinder, as he often does, then it will be crickets. And another reason for the win will be sought. Surely, you have seen this pattern from Mr Lord before?
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
If you come to a fork in the road take it.
QED
Guest
he has come back as nothing but a moaner - oh and err Australia's leading tackler, and pilfers - but besides that he is nothing but a moaner - besides what have the Roman's ever done for us..........
Dally
Guest
I agree that the basics should be a given at this level. People should be in the national side because they are exceptional, not needing to learn skills or acquire rugby intelligence. Which should also be a given for any national player. When players cannot do the basics or play with consistency, that's what drives people away or attracts no new supporters. Turn the channel and you've got AFL finals with the most skilful footballing talent in the country. The only way to compete with that is putting on displays that can match it, which they are a long way off doing at the moment.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
No Through Road?