Wallabies captain Michael Hooper was “shocked” to learn of claims the Australian rugby union team had been investigated for match fixing after losing a Test match they’d been favoured to win.
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday night suggested the Wallabies were probed for match fixing several years ago and that a sporting official had recommended the investigation be re-opened.
While the report didn’t specify the particular match, nor suggest the Wallabies fixed any game on Hooper’s watch, the incumbent skipper said he personally – plus his teammates – had never given anything less than their best efforts while wearing the gold jumper.
“You can’t give more than a 100 (per cent),” Hooper said on Friday.
“That’s the way I’m built and the guys I’ve played with have all been cut from the same cloth and I can speak on behalf of the guys I’ve played with for sure.”
The report alleged there was a “deep concern” about a Wallabies loss and there had been suspicious activity in a Test the Wallabies were widely expected to win.
Rugby Australia released a statement on Friday, denying any such investigation was ever conducted.
“A headline attached to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald today suggested Rugby Australia had investigated a Wallabies Test match ‘from several years ago’ in relation to the possibility of match fixing,” the statement said.
“Rugby Australia wishes to confirm it has seen no evidence in regards to inappropriate betting activity or match fixing and has no record of any such investigation occurring in the past.
“Rugby Australia takes any allegation of match fixing very seriously and would always thoroughly investigate should any person or entity ever provide information to the Integrity Unit.”
A ferocious competitor and dual John Eales Medallist as Australia’s player of the year, Hooper was horrified by the allegations.
“I saw that last night and was shocked,” the champion flanker said before his NSW Waratahs’ captain’s run at the SCG.
“And then I’ve seen Rugby Australia’s comment this morning and that puts it to bed really.
“So (I’m) not really (surprised or offended), no. Not really thinking about that.
“It’s just come out. I’m not focusing on it too much. I hope there’s nothing to it.”
Machiavelli
Guest
It must be the 2009 Murrayfield match. They contacted "Australian" betting agencies. Wouldn't need to say "Australian" if the match was in Australia. Plus, as others have mentioned, the betting pool would be far greater in Europe. Australia/Samoa betting pool not in the same league. Plus Samoa played out their skins that day...they punished Australia out of the game. The hits were brutal. Was that the Scotland game in 2009 where Giteau missed a penalty shot to win it at the end? Didn't he have head knock just before that? Giteau's goal kicking was never fantastic. It's real stretch to call that one a fix. Wallabies away from home, against a Top 10 nation? Anything could happen......
Rugby wizard
Guest
Correction that date 2012 is horribly wrong,it was a few years before 2011 RWC.
Ed
Guest
Remember the SMH propRAgandist, Georgina, stated who were in the running for the third selector role, and O'Connor was not one of them. Her source/s were off the mark there. Growden has just returned to the SMH, so if he has stuffed up then management has to tell him he is gone.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Yes it does - his source needs to trustworthy and been used before and credible. he would need to prove that one way or the other should it come to a court regardless of the press matra for not revealing sources - especially with his own history.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Because its the press and they are never trustworthy and always run their own agenda..
Double Agent
Guest
There's no way it would be a Samoa match. The money wagered on Rugby is miniscule compared to that wagered on EPL NFL tennis etc. Vast majority of Rugby wagering is in UK. Very limited interest in a wallaby/Samoa match. The liquidity would be peanuts. Without much reward how do you get enough money to pay players who are already on big salaries?
Rugby wizard
Guest
The Scotland game definitely springs too mind,but there was a game under Deans in Perth against boks which boks won easily,think it was 2012.
Rugger
Guest
I couldn’t imagine Hooper ever throwing a match but when it comes to Kaptain Kokehead one could never be sure. He certainly has form throwing former teammates under the bus at the Titans so current teammates wouldn’t be a stretch too far (one would imagine)
jeznez
Roar Guru
Hi mate, your interpretation might be right. Possibly even more worrying if an investigation took place that interviewed team officials and it wasn't escalated within the organisation.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
There is someone very specific that comes to my mind also, An Amazing Character. . . fits the above, and has a sibling who has social media posts about gambling on wallabies games.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
There's enough weasel words and conjecture to wiggle out of any defamation claim. Anything but outright dismissal and moving on from Rugby Australia is just throwing petrol on it. But this is Rugby Australia. So they will do exactly the wrong thing.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Haha, saucy! Yep nothing like a professional blow-dry to get my curls looking “just so”
PeterK
Roar Guru
or makes more sense to blow it being blown
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Nailed it ! The Mouseketeers don’t need incentives to lose. If they start winnings get the integrity unit in fast on the opposition. Mind you paying 6 million to a few of them hasn’t had much affect either.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
That game was a plot to get rid of Deans and replace him with a woke group of players headed by David Pocock. The plan was they would discuss every decision sitting cross-legged on the ground and insist that all officials and 50% of the players need to be women or preferably trans. There would be a meeting of both teams on the ground directly after the game where apologies would be given and accepted for any bruises or indiscreet remarks made during the game. Every game would end in a draw!
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
punters just didn’t do their form and ratings properly? And how many do? I’m guessing a fair % of the dough wagered in this country is preceded by a few brewskies. Personally I don’t have much sympathy for someone who complains of doing their dough on a fixed match. Makes much more sense to spend it on blow, I reckon ;)
stillmissit
Roar Guru
TWAS 2012???
brian
Guest
As long as we are reffed by the guy who did Reds v Crusaders last we (and you) can throw it in any way we like.
scubasteve
Guest
Geez. Ok first in jest Phipps wayward passes TPN and some throws Beale with missed tackles (cooper wasn't playing).
Barney
Roar Rookie
The wallabies don’t need to be paid to play crap rugby