Another overseas stint or chasing Olympic Games glory appear to be Michael Hooper’s two options after the former Wallabies captain all but ruled out playing for Australia beyond 2023.
Hooper will line up for his last home game for the NSW Waratahs on Saturday at Allianz Stadium with a firm focus on trying to help the side enter the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs with momentum.
The champion flanker is keeping the door open for future playing opportunities but doubts he will extend his Wallabies career beyond this year’s Rugby World Cup in France – if selected.
Asked on Tuesday if he would consider answering a call from Wallabies coach Eddie Jones to feature in the 2025 series against the British and Irish Lions in Australia, Hooper let out a lengthy sigh.
“Ahhh, oh, I don’t know,” he said.
“You never say never. I’ve travelled a lot and been lucky enough to be able to do this for a long time.
“I have a young family. However that shapes up over the next little bit, and what that takes to get back in a gold jersey in that point in time, I don’t know. It depends.
“I don’t know what the next six months looks like, let alone the next three years.”
After abruptly taking a mental-health break last year, the most-capped Wallabies captain in history conceded in March he was unsure what the future held after this season.
Fast forward two months and he still doesn’t know, or at least isn’t letting on publicly.
“I haven’t been in the position to have an open sort of landscape and that’s really exciting for me and somewhat daunting at times because I’ve been so institutionalised by rugby,” Hooper said.
“But for 90 per cent of the time it’s a really nice position to be in.”
After enjoying a cameo with Toyota Verblitz in 2021, Hooper is open to another mega-money move to Japanese Rugby, or perhaps switching to France on a lucrative contract.
The 124-Test stalwart is also tempted by the challenge of trying to make the Australian sevens team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Sevens is on the landscape but there’s a lot of work and detail that needs to go into that,” he said.
“Those guys are incredibly fit. It’s a different beast to when I started and played a bit – not for Aussie sevens, but years and years ago.
“And now I’m a different player as well, so how that would even look there’s a lot of discussion that needs to be had.
“Is there overseas? Is there something else? I’m really open to it.”
Michael Hooper. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
First and foremost, after leading NSW to a hoodoo-busting first Super Rugby title in 2014, the 31-year-old is intent on trying to help the Waratahs win a second crown.
The Tahs host Moana Pasifika in the last round assured of finishing sixth but needing to bounce back from last Saturday’s 42-18 belting from the Crusaders in Christchurch heading into next week’s sudden-death quarter-finals.
“I’m trying to focus on the game. It’s a big game for us to try to regain some momentum going into the finals so I want to play well,” Hooper said.
“That’s my first focus and then after that final whistle blows … having the family there, and hopefully getting them onto the field to experience that with me would be cool.”
Wizz
Roar Rookie
No Bob the Bobby that plays rugby not with himself every weekend...lol
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Wizz, yep I’d have loved to play with Gleeson and Wilson but calls for me, at my age would be a very long stretch. But thanks for thinking of me. :happy:
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Hoops can do whatever he wants to post Tahs/ Wallabies. He has one of those attributes I always value in a a player - effort. He has been playing at a consistently top level for so long, he isn't a big guy either. We will be heading out to Allianz.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep, two dedicated 7's and Samu gives the cover.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Absolute legend. Wish him all the best in what ever he takes on next. Hope he was an amazing night to cap off his time with the Tahs. Although dare to dream! Teams 5-8 win their quarter finals - Suddenly the Tahs have a home semi and there is a second SFS farewell!
Wizz
Roar Rookie
And I respect that ... Gleeson will be part of alot of Wallabies going forward I just think embrace it now ..Hooper is yesterday and Wilson Skelton Gleeson Bobby V is today .
Bobby
Roar Rookie
"Potentially" is a unique KPI of stat's. :happy: For me I just watch the bloke and generally form my opinion
JC
Roar Rookie
Thank you, Michael Hooper, for your commitment to and hard work for the sky blue jersey over the last decade-plus. What a roller-coaster, including that mammoth Super Rugby championship in 2014! I’ll be at the SFS to wish you well on Saturday. Whatever your next step, please stay connected with NSW rugby in some way.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Love Hooper legend absolute legend proud he is an Aussie but time is up ..
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Wilson Gleeson Bobby are our future let's play them arrange a strategy and play to that...get a strong front row doesn't go backwards and big powerful locks that push hard in scrum...tired of the little fetcher who gets bullied let's bully other teams with some mongrel players..
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Disagree his stats say he is busy and potentially destructive...
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
Wizz Gleeson that’s left field. Don’t know about you I have seen him play 7 at club level. He can do a job there if asked. Good pick. Throw in Samu I don’t think EJ needs to pick 3 fetchers 2 at the most with back from the two listed. On a side Gleeson would not look out of place starting at 7 against the Bokkies.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Gleeson doesn't have the motor to be a top 7. Questionable even at 8. He "fades" in and out of games !
Cheika_Mate
Roar Rookie
I’ll be back"…..Loins tour. Love or hate him he is a dead set champion. Would love to see him playing 7s again. If anyone can get this current rag tag 7 side to punch above their weight it would this bloke leading them. And who knows after that a French Japan swan song or I would not say no to him pulling on Manly jumper again and giving a year or two back to club rugby. He’d make a great mentor for our game down the track.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Mcreight can fetch poach...late in a game but it's Wilkin or Gleeson for me..
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Can't afford to take 3 dedicated 7's. Two is ok and others who can fill the role, if required.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Hooper was a great player and champion to boot. So was George Smith, Gregan, Ali, Tyson, Rod Lavor and so on. Time catches up to all and it has with MH. Age and mental health issues form a part of the reason. Is he still very good - absolutely. Is he better ( on form) than the McReights or Wilkins - No. Is it time for EJ to call time on Hoops Wallaby career or will RA insist he go to the WC ( for services rendered) ? At the very least, the 7 jersey deserves to be shared this year.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
In keeping with tradition I look forward to his retirement when the same people who bagged him will lament we don't have someone like Hooper anymore. I've read fair, biased and strange criticism on here (seriously, the moaning about Hooper playing out on the wing = most teams are playing 1,3,3,1. Catch up). But it can never be said Hooper has not given every ounce of his efforts every time he has played.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Can't afford to take two ...
Mactruck
Roar Rookie
Good luck Hoops. Reckon he can still pull out a 10/10 game when it counts in the WC. I do think the 7 role should be shared with Wilkin and McReight though. Can EJ afford to take 3 x 7’s to the cup. Hope so.