Michael Hooper may have endured one of the more deflating afternoons of his storied career with the luckless loss to Scotland at Murrayfield but he’s adamant the fire in Wallabies’ bellies rages hotter as they march on to Twickenham.
Captain Australia had led from the front, as ever, but it wasn’t Hooper’s day as he saw what would have been the 23rd try of his international career controversially ruled out en route to an underwhelming 15-13 defeat.
Yet self-pity has never been in his playbook. As he and coach Dave Rennie sift through the casualty list from Monday morning’s (AEST) ding-dong, Hooper was quick to sound the battle cry for the biggest examination of their tour against Eddie Jones’ England.
“The fire in the belly hasn’t been extinguished at all,” declared Hooper.
“I guess after that defeat, it’s just been raised.”
Naturally, he needs no reminding the Wallabies have lost seven straight times to England since a certain wily Australian coach took their reins. Hooper’s played in all seven!
Yet even while critics like former All Black-turned-pundit Andrew Mehrtens have been musing that an eighth-straight defeat could be an ugly one for Australia if they play as they did against Scotland, Hooper remains relentlessly positive.
“The record (against England) hasn’t been great, but a lot of these guys haven’t played up here (in the northern hemisphere), haven’t been part of those games, so they don’t feel that sort of stuff,” he said.
“It’s a new team, and it’s a great challenge for us next week to roll into England.
“That’s been a setback today. The motivation was about going really well and continuing the momentum we’ve built over the last year but we roll now to a six-day turnaround against the English.”
It’s not ideal, especially with England having had a further day to rest after their 11-try romp against outclassed Tonga while Rennie has big injury concerns over Jordan Petaia (hamstring) and Taniela Tupou, who’ll have to undergo concussion protocols.
Does the idea that Hooper’s side don’t carry any baggage or scars from those seven defeats to ‘Eddie’s England’ carry any weight?
Certainly, there were things to be admired in what fullback Andrew Kellaway described not inaccurately as a “clunky” performance.
Like replacement Izaia Perese’s rumbustious performance that helped set up their only try from Rob Leota and the powerful second-row combination between Rory Arnold and Izack Rodda. Not to mention the indefatigable Hooper himself.
“The positive is that it was narrow and close (against Scotland). Discipline is what really kills us because it’s nobody’s fault but our own,” said Kellaway, whose first outing at 15 was also impressive.
“If we tidy up the breakdown, and that stuff, we’ll put ourselves in a position to win the England game hopefully.”
And they will continue to take their lead from a man whose fire never goes out.
Hooper’s impassioned debate with referee Romain Poite following the game’s key moment, demonstrated exactly that.
The charming French official, in his last Test after 15 years of having his ear bent, had ruled out Hooper’s first-half try and instead binned Allan Alaalatoa for a dangerous clear-out, prompting the captain to implore: “You’re the ref … he didn’t do anything!”
Poite invited Hooper to come and talk to him about it after the match. Presumably, it’s a lot easier once you’ve retired!
SDHoneymonster
Guest
He joined the Rebels towards the end of 2019 I think, which means he'll have to wait until 2024 because of the qualification period change.
wigeye
Guest
well done fungus. I thought mine were too...I have some good points but all the bits in between stuff me up. I apologise thats sposed to read funbus its my sausage fingers. Genuine mistake
wigeye
Guest
Thanks jacko always liked your views.you dont bend mate. :thumbup:
FunBus
Roar Rookie
When I post whilst drunk, my contributions are always witty, insightful, erudite and subtle.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree Marshy… And their discipline needs a major shake up also! And yes England is the big one to gauge their season, a win will mean that they are on the right track! But what does a lose mean, even a close one?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
WL… I agree mate, plus the most inept :thumbup:
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Hoskins is not test standard. He struggled to get game time at the Force
Marshy
Guest
If the WBs are not disciplined and fail to execute the small moments, collisions and post-collisions (as well as the obvious red zone striking range moments) they will again be walking off the pitch disappointed. No doubt about it. Arguably the biggest game of their season now as to how they respond.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
I find the general tone troubling. Same old ‘positive’ rhetoric. Lambs being led to a slaughter vs Lions? Can the Wallabies play smarter or will they just rely on ‘motivation’ and ‘momentum’ because I think that good vibes train is about to get derailed. We need to see a solid shift from the lads, minimal handling errors, kicks finding touch or finding space, runners chasing kicks and cut out the Hollywood push passes, pops and speculators, and buffoonery around the ruck. A bit of speed around the breakdown wouldn’t go astray either. Geez – it’s the same stuff every time.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Skelton probably kicks better than JOC
Marshy
Guest
Unquestionably better than it has been for a few years. Some good scrum stock in Aus Rugby now. One of the big positives in 2021 for mine.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Everything's relative. Having a matchday 23 with four competitive international props is still a step up from years gone by when we had 2 or fewer. Fotuaika should have been involved in the squad this year based on form. Cameron Orr is another who has looked promising at scrum time, but injuries have set him back a few times.
Marshy
Guest
Grammar correction: *were
Marshy
Guest
Scotland were the only team in 2021 to keep Australia below 20 points. And while WBs probably we’re about a 6/10 in this outing, anyone who thinks Scots didn’t play well and doesn’t credit their performance, is a moron.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I believe start of 2023
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Might have to give Beale another crack. With Petaia injured Perese probably starts. Already need another back from outside the 23. Drop Beale and that makes it 2. Daugunu almost certainly comes in and it leaves only Foketi and Lolesio as options to replace Beale. Perhaps Lolesio with JOC shifting to 15 in case of injury to others.
wigeye
Guest
Yes John agree. Think it comes back to the old ozzy ozzy ozzy oi oi oi big headedness. But I'd like paddy and phantoms views a bit more, im bit worried with tools he's getting a bit mainstream and factual now
wigeye
Guest
Hoops greedy at least share the toys so the next storys not ....oh we havnt got any match fit internationals. Captaincy shouldn't be a big hurdle share that as well as will need one not in the too distant future.
wigeye
Guest
Thankyou doctorbx
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Oooops the greatest Aussie loser. Once again standing between the centre’s who where having enough trouble connecting. Put Ooops at 12 .