Star flanker Michael Hooper says the current players at the NSW Waratahs are “good eggs” who are working hard to turn around the franchise’s ailing fortunes.
Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper says it’s been tough to see the NSW Waratahs’ struggles from afar, but he’s backing the playing group to work hard and turn things around.
The Waratahs appear set for a season of gloom after following up their 41-7 loss to the Reds with a record 61-10 hammering at the hands of the Brumbies.
The disastrous results have heaped pressure on coach Rob Penney, who has said he will be “happy to go gracefully” if the club deemed he isn’t the right man to take the team forward.
Hooper has been the heart and soul of the Waratahs since joining in 2013, but he is currently on sabbatical with Japanese Top League outfit Toyota Verblitz.
The 29-year-old said it had been tough watching from afar as the Waratahs faltered.
“It’s very tough. I love the club, love the Waratahs, love a lot of the guys in there, so I know they’ll be doing it tough,” Hooper said.
“But there are some really good eggs in there who will be doing everything they can to swing that around.”
The Waratahs have lost more than 1800 caps of Super experience over the past two years following a mass player exodus.
Force recruit Tom Robertson said he wasn’t happy at the Waratahs last year due to off-field issues at the club.
“I don’t know about the way Tom feels, he’ll have to speak for himself,” Hooper said when asked about Robertson’s comments.
“I know that the players I’ve been involved with there are doing their best to try to make the club a better place and grow as a playing group and put our best foot forward.
“I know that’s what the guys are about back there.”
The Waratahs will be aiming to notch their first win of the season when they host the Western Force on Friday night.
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Thanks Chook. I could make a Centrelink analogy...but that would be mean :laughing:
Shano
Guest
Don't forget Phipps. He was a shocker.
Try Hard
Roar Rookie
Add into the list Foley, Beale AAC....no wonder they are sooo poor. The rot started years ago with the glorious 9
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Seemed a fair bit better than 2021 though
Dougie
Roar Rookie
TWAS the Waratahs weren`t that good in 2020 even with those 4 you mentioned to be fair.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Spot on Nump. The Tahs are staying well under cap this year, pretty sure there was a mutual decision for their most expensive player to take a break and help them free up some funds.
Antony Henrie
Guest
6 month sabbatical = making up that money because of his paycut. Stuff the tahs. Selfish act from the wallaby captain and waratah leader. I hope Rennie is watching and making notes.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Good afternoon Jacko. Great reply. If I’m ever in need of new “material”, would you mind if I contacted you. However in the interim, I have an adequate supply of cotton, nylon & denim.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Its unfortunate we have to feel the impact of Hooper's (and Simmons) absence to really see their value. I guess this is why coaches value them so much. Clearly the tahs are 30+ points worse-off without their leadership and capability.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
I can't find the 'down-vote' button... - what a strange, vitriolic comment
Machooka
Roar Guru
TWAS… it appears here that logic ain’t a strong suit of Antony’s abilities. And when I say abilities, it’s fair to say, I’m being generous. :thumbup:
Machooka
Roar Guru
Wow, massive assumption you've got going on there, bigtree.smallaxe... Antony has a job? Employable? Wife? Kids? :unhappy:
Machooka
Roar Guru
Count 'em Connor... over the past two years.
soapit
Roar Guru
to be clear, with them, as in being in another country getting paid more while they play out the season
bigtree.smallaxe
Roar Rookie
I'm interested. Antony, If your place of employment said you're going to have to take a big pay cut but, good news, you can take a secondment, get paid lots more money to make up for the pay cut and then return back to your old job, do you take it? Or do you say, "nah mate, this work place will suffer without me". Try telling that to your wife and kids :stoked: ! "Yeah, I've decided to to take the pay cut and stay with me mates" Oh and by the way, there's compulsory retirement by the time you turn 35. Good luck with that!
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
numpty
Roar Rookie
Oh yes I know, half the time he spells his own name wrong too :laughing:
numpty
Roar Rookie
He is still signed to the tahs champ, he is just on a 6 month sabbatical. Haven't the tahs performed poorly for years now with him as captain? ie he has stuck with them through the thin..? If they were good last year, and bad now that he has left, doesn't that show they need him?
Antony Henrie
Guest
yeah and ? so he cannot make the starting team. I already said that..sheeesh
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately this guy (posting under 5 or 6 other handles as well) is going on every thread saying the same thing. It's getting pretty sad and boring.