The Wallabies sealed a memorable series victory over France in Queensland to start their 2021 season on a high. With this, we look at some of the biggest winners and losers from the series moving forward to the Rugby Championship.
Michael Hooper
A victim of the saying, ‘out of sight, out of mind’, there was a vocal minority prior to the series who questioned Hooper’s status as Australia’s premier backrower. However, these questions were well and truly put to bed throughout the France series.
Hooper’s work rate was second to none and in key moments he seems to make the right decision more often than not.
Case in point during the third Test being his linebreak and try assist for Tate McDermott. This moment allowed Australia to settle into the game after losing Marika Koroibete for the match.
Hooper was also impressive on the defensive side of things, making 20 tackles and winning six penalties across the three games.
Noah Lolesio
The young flyhalf well and truly took his opportunity in this series and expelled many of the demons from his debut Test last season. Lolesio grew as the series went on and was one of the Wallabies best during the all-important third Test.
He amassed 52 points throughout the series and was near perfect from the kicking tee, ultimately sealing both the first and third Tests for the Wallabies.
James O’Connor will likely get an opportunity in the No.10 jersey at some point during the Rugby Championship but Lolesio’s performances during this series puts him as the front runner for the position going forward.
Tom Wright
Tom Wright started on the wing for the opening two games and unfortunately struggled in both. Wright went try-less in both games and was left wanting after badly misjudging the bounce of the ball over the try-line in the series opener.
Wright’s decision making and positional play was also exposed by Les Bleus’ kick heavy game style, with many kicks finding grass in the back field. This was made worse by a slight knock-on when receiving a kick ruled out Marika Koroibete’s try in the second Test.
While Wright will almost certainly receive more opportunities in the gold jersey, he may be forced to wait a while, given the number of wingers who are currently around the same level in Australia.
Rob Valetini
Rob Valetini was outstanding during the Super Rugby AU and Trans-Tasman competitions, and many were excited to see how this would translate to the international stage.
However, during the France series he was not at the damaging best. Valetini only managed to run for 81 metres across the three Test matches.
The French forwards brought a different game style and physicality than that seen in the southern hemisphere’s domestic competitions. Their rush defence was largely able to shut down the dangerous ballcarrier before he got going.
With this, it will be interesting to see who gets the nod in the No.6 jersey for the first Bledisloe clash, given the impressive performance of Lachie Swinton in the third Test.
Unca
Roar Rookie
With who? McReight? I don’t see him putting in a performance like Hooper did v the French. And unlike Clarke, his teammates seem to be inspired and follow him.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
because he's the michael clarke of rugby. We need to move on.
Unca
Roar Rookie
I cannot fathom the Hooper detractors, like who’s better? Does having props standing at inside centre help with ball retention and phase play? Why aren’t other, much, much lesser players held to the same standards as Hooper?
Unca
Roar Rookie
And it’s not like when Pocock came through after Smith, or Hooper after pocock. That was replacing an amazing player with a younger amazing player. Mcreight and Wright at the reds are great footballers, but they’ve a ways to go to oust Hooper.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
Even as a leader? Do you want a team yelling at the ref? Or a team playing the game and talking to the ref in a respectful way to try and influence proceedings?
Morsie
Roar Rookie
You are right. It is an unfortunate aspect of play that does need to be stopped everywhere - plenty of examples from every team. But it does nothing to lower my estimation of Hooper.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
I said it was a bad look for the Australian captain. You asked for the evidence, I found it, you found a reason and way to defend him by deflecting and making it my problem. It is a bad look for the Australian captain to be doing it. Just like it’s a bad look for the French to fake injury. Do you really think he should be doing it?
Morsie
Roar Rookie
Boy the hate in you is strong if that upset you. Far out……. 4 seconds. Don’t let it ruin your life……..get help.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
48:47 of game 3 until 48:51. Didn't even notice the ref behind him awarding the Wallabies advantage. Didn't even know the game was going on behind him. All about the AR.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Koroibete was clearly man of the series with 2 man of the match performances. Then come a bunch of Frenchmen imo :thumbup:
Morsie
Roar Rookie
When did that happen, quote, "screaming at the AR to get a decision". Which game and at what stage please?
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
I haven’t done a thorough count of every comment and article I’ve read and nor will I, but honestly it wouldn’t do anything to change your mind either way. As an avid reader of sports media, it’s pretty clear that Hooper came up far more than any other player with the only other name being Koroibete who some said fairly would have been man of the series if he’d played all 3 games.
Jimbo81
Roar Rookie
ok so what is he good at? It's not tackling and it's not cleanouts. It's not lineout jumping. Not really much of a mauler or pick n drive, doesn't offer much in the scrum. It's an extra wing / centre. That leaves the forwards undermanned 7-8. Fail.
MO
Guest
Agree. Lonegran did pretty well for an undersized kid. He'd make a handy 7. Dunno if he'll ever be heavy enough for a test 2. He needs to find 10kgs of power and he'll still be borderline undersized. Jack Winchester is listed at 108kg so eventually he'll be heavy enough if he can get good enough.
MO
Guest
Dunno mate but if a player wants to stay sharp and stay in Oz then it has to be club rugby in Sydney or Brisbane.
MO
Guest
Not just Hooper haters. What about people who think a player can't come back from Japan a better player? (Or Europe for that matter)
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
J81, using the tackle count as a yardstick and ignoring all the other attributes and good stuff that Hooper does is really missing the point. How and where Hooper plays is set out by the game plan and this also influenced by his strengths. This then will also determines how many tackles he has to make. If most of the tackle traffic is in close to the ruck and he is positioned out wide he will see less traffic and so will tackle less. However some of his try saving tackles on breakaway french units, no other WBs forward would have been able to make because he is the fastest of them all. The game has changed and how players are used in the scheme of things is no longer what it traditionally was. For instance, the Frence back row are the main jumpers in the line out. Nick in one of his articles explains the difference in how the French use their back row in comparison to other nations. Why do the ABs have Coles and Reid lurking out wide (none traditional) rather than in close and this must reduce their tackle count but no one comments on this with regard to them and it has become an expectation that they should be there! That is part of their game plan to best use their assets as is Rennie's use of Hooper. Cheers.
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Mate we are watching a different game.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
Good name for a band " Beyond Reason".
Tom G
Roar Rookie
The Hooper haters write their bits before the game and press send on the final whistle