The NSW Waratahs aren’t ruling out sending an SOS for Wallabies captain Michael Hooper as they look to resuscitate their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign.
Winless in Super Rugby AU and still reeling from leaking 64 points in their Trans-Tasman tournament opener against the Hurricanes last Friday night, the Waratahs confessed to some serious squirming during the video review.
“It wasn’t pretty,” lock Hugh Sinclair said on Monday.
“A few too many soft one-on-ones just when they went straight through our midfield and all of a sudden it’s a try.
“That’s just not good enough at Super Rugby level.
“That’s third, fourth-grade level.”
Defence coach Jason Gilmore, who harbours ambitions to take over the head role, is demanding Waratahs players put their bodies on the line when they confront the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday.
“I’d definitely say there’s a few boys there that’d be licking their wounds that have got to have a bit more accountability to their contact skills,” Gilmore said.
“It’s not like if you make an error, it’s not going to cost you. It’s not like you can hide in defence.
“We can’t afford that week to week in this competition. The Kiwi strengths are out on the edges so the boys are going to have to aim up there.”
Hooper has been hugely missed since while on a sabbatical in Japan, with Gilmore noting that the champion flanker and fellow Wallabies forward Ned Hanigan “really held the forte well in defence” for the Tahs.
With his Toyota Verblitz side eliminated from the Japanese Top League semi-finals at the weekend, Hooper is now serving his 14-day quarantine period.
Supremely fit, he could conceivably be available for the Waratahs’ last two Trans-Tasman round games against the Highlanders and Chiefs.
“We’ll just see how he goes through quarantine because obviously he’ll have been pretty idle for a fortnight there,” Gilmore said.
“So we certainly don’t want to rush him back where he gets a soft tissue injury or something like that.”
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Rennie confirms Hooper as Captain of the Wallabies and will sit out the TT to rest.
Geoff
Guest
How can they be that bad if they have Gordon Maddocks Horton Dempsey Swinton HJH Bell Tizzano Talakai Harrision Foketi Nawaqanitawase Ramm Newsome.Maybe these dudes are just over-rated.
Goodbye NRC
Roar Rookie
One player doesn’t make a team, maybe start him from the bench and give him 20 minutes. Even though they are struggling the players currently playing should be given a fair chance against the kiwis.
Malo
Guest
We need ya Hoops, there has never been a worst NSW side.
cookie
Roar Guru
Even the recruitment of the entire All Blacks squad couldn't save the Waratahs such is the culture top down.
Geoff
Guest
Totally agree , If Hooper doesn`t play the last two games he does not deserve a gold jersey. He need to play and play very very well to earn it. Right now it`s Fraser McReights 7 jersey.
Obes
Guest
7 is covered well by Tizzano , what they really need is a decent 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 11 12 14 15.
Crazy Horse
Roar Pro
The one position the Tahs do not need "reinforcement" is 7.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
I missed the sentence that said “ The NSW Waratahs aren’t ruling out sending an SOS for Wallabies captain Michael Hooper as they look to resuscitate their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign.”. It was only the first sentence of the article! My bad everyone!
Paul D
Roar Rookie
He hasn’t been asked....
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
If he is serious about playing in the first test he needs to be on the park for the Waratahs proving to everyone he deserves his spot and to be captain. He fails to front after being asked...
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Horror! The Horror! :silly:
JC
Roar Rookie
Probably not out of quarantine for Round 3, I'm afraid.
JC
Roar Rookie
Ned is back from Japan but not sure if he is available to the Tahs this season.
Dougie
Roar Rookie
He should be right for round 3 at home v the Crusaders.
JC
Roar Rookie
Just what the Waratahs need -- experience, a calm voice and a legendary tackler all in one. I imagine his appearance at Brookvale Oval for the Tahs' final game would get a good crowd to the ground.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Purely on playing ability he isn't a huge upgrade on Tizzano. But he adds some leadership which they desperately need. Is Ned back too?
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Why not? I can’t see him making much of a difference but certainly someone to share the blame with
Machooka
Roar Guru
Oh, yes, I forgot Japan was such a third world country where your Yen comes in a horse drawn cart... instead of that online banking stuff, where not only do they convert it to Aussie, but there's a statement telling you the balance minus a few fees. A lot of fees. OK, heaps of fees. Surely, that's not my balance!? :shocked:
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Wow ! The ball boy is back . What about Hanrahan ?