There’s no argument Michael Hooper is a talented footballer, but if it hadn’t been for long-term injuries to David Pocock he would never have become a frontline Wallaby.
He also wouldn’t be a Wallaby captain had Dave Dennis and Stephen Moore not suffered long-term injuries.
That’s the luck of the draw, and a freak sequence of events. To Hooper’s credit, he’s made the most of the misfortune of others.
When Hooper burst onto the Super Rugby scene in 2010 with the Brumbies, Pocock was an acknowledged world class-number seven. He won the John Eales Medal in 2010 and was nominated as a World Rugby Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011.
Hooper was destined to be a bench Wallaby at best as long as Pocock wasn’t injured.
But that wasn’t to be the case, with a serious knee reconstruction in early 2013 ending Pocock’s, followed by a second reconstruction on the other knee to end his 2014 early.
Hooper was an automatic Wallaby replacement as Pocock spent month after month in rehab for two years with a successful return questionable.
David Pocock and Mike Hooper. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
In 2013, Hooper switched to the Waratahs, and the following year captain Dave Dennis suffered a long-term injury. Coach Michael Cheika promoted Hooper to captain all the way through to the Waratahs capturing the Super Rugby title to end a 19-year drought.
Hooper was now the undisputed Wallaby seven, and captain of the Waratahs, so it came as no surprise when hooker Stephen Moore took over the Wallaby captaincy, coach Ewen McKenzie named Hooper, and veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper, as vice-captains.
In the first minute of Moore’s captaincy debut against France, he was struck down with an ankle injury and hobbled off the field for the rest of the year.
Hooper was now Wallaby captain for the season, but Moore resumed the leadership when he returned the following year.
Moore retired last year with 15 wins from 26 starts as captain, and a 57.69 per cent win rate, as Hooper resumed the Wallaby captaincy under Michael Cheika.
But all the time Pocock was lurking, and because Hooper was captain and not able to play anywhere but seven, Cheika came up with the Pooper experiment, playing Pocock at eight.
In the last year, it’s been abundantly clear Pocock has been the better seven by a considerable distance.
The Australian Super Rugby reps voting for the John Eales Medal had their say handing Pocock a massive 262 votes to runner-up Lukhan Tui’s 139.
Pocock’s 262 votes came from just eight of 13 voting internationals, while Hooper’s 80 came from 12.
And the players also voted Pocock the best number seven in the country.
It’s worth acknowledging Pocock has been nominated three times for the World Rugby Player of the Year award, Hooper once, but Hooper has won 87 Wallaby caps, Pocock 74.
Lastly, there are three Wallabies on duty this afternoon against the men-in-black with captaincy stats.
David Pocock has led the Wallabies seven times for four wins – 57.14 per cent.
Will Genia two wins from four – 50 per cent.
And Michael Hooper 14 wins from 34 – 41.17 per cent.
No-one has to be a rocket scientist to work out who should be the Wallaby seven, and captain.
Spectator
Guest
There's no one else and that's the problem for the Australians. In too many positions, mainly in the pack, there's just no one else.
lsd123
Guest
This is rubbish mate.
Kane
Roar Guru
Well that was an excellent performance from Hooper
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
He may not be the best captain but captains don’t win or lose games. Hooper’s leadership is probably one of his strengths. But if we could find another good backrower to replace the ones Cheika has chased away (Fardy and McMahon) Hooper shouldn’t be in the team.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Sadly rebel... I'll second that
Machooka
Roar Guru
Haha Albo... without being assumptive I got the 'sports and politics' thingy :)
rebel
Roar Guru
Roar, please take note of the comments.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
David, There's no mention of Randwick and Cheika winning major championships in both hemispheres, you're getting sloppy. Seriously, you would base a captaincy on sample sizes of 4 and 7 games? Genia's and Pocock's winning percentages are higher when they are not captain, and neither of them captain their franchise. Pocock is a great flanker, but hasn't proven himself to be a great captain. Additionally, Hooper, only has a 28.57% win rate when captaining Pocock, would the Wallabies would be better off without Pocock playing? I suggest you look elswhere if you want someone to blame for the Wallabies' performance.
Wally
Guest
David has his right to an opinion and the Roar ultimately is the gate keeper of the article. There are many that have a view and that is the beauty of this forum. I personally look forward to a day when articles on here have nothing to write about......a day when there is not as much division. I think neither Hooper nor Cheika have much to answer to any of us. The RA certainly does as we are the fans and we put our but on their seat. The one thing I think all can agree on is this present rugby era is littered with division and for that the buck stops with successive admistrative failures. I cannot remember a time when there has been so much vitriol regarding a rugby team and the way it is selected, played etc. however we are all blessed to be able to now have our opinion aired through social media and we should be mindful of that, myself included. Good luck to the wallabies today.
Buk
Guest
David your articles are a bit like the batsman who walks out with intention of trying to hit every ball out of the park. Entertaining, & a welcome relief in a PC world, but also leaving yourself vulnerable to being bowled first ball (though that also adds to the interest :) ). So thanks for your articles, I always enjoy reading them, much appreciated.
awa
Roar Rookie
Could be worse, They haven't signed up Chris Rattue yet.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
Sorry, autocorrect turned AlBo into Bwad somehow. I wish I could stay logged in. Just an edit: I meant “sport and politics” not “sport and rugby”. Cheers all and go Wallabies!
TomTom
Guest
'Cause he's got nothing else to write about. The "expert" title that sits below his name must have been added in jest.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Funny that, Chooks. Haven't we all been living in that "future" since RWC 2015, ie for 3 years now?
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I think at some point we should protest my not clicking on Lords articles to dry up revenue to The Roar from his contributions. I already dont read them, but a click to skim comments us just as effective for him. So this will be my last visit to a Lord article.
Highlander
Guest
Sad, Sadder, Saddest Is that that the clink of the last token of journalistic credibility hitting the bottom of the can?
Neil
Guest
Another day, another David Lord article sticking it up Hooper. What did he do David; not show you the respect to which you believe you are entitled? Find another soap box.
riddler
Roar Rookie
100% with u dave..
Felix Sirimanne
Roar Rookie
"HEAR! HEAR!" This sort of "divisive" comments from people like Davis is "not on the cards"!! I agree Bishops articles are far more interesting than reading about "personal" views which only do harm to a bunch of guys who are giving their best!
Adsa
Roar Rookie
I think Chieka is doing to Hooper what he has done to many players, wrecking their ability whilst he practises some obscure game plan that is easily picked apart by the opposition and is wracking up loss after loss. Clown players Hooper in the backs when he is needed in the forwards. Both his test tries this year came from involvement in rucks and mauls. The Captain in the thick of it leading from the front. The WallyB's would be better served with Pocock and Hooper double jacking in tight and have a no.8 with line bending ability playing a wider game. Chieka is the problem David not Hooper.