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After “multiple robust discussions” saw a line put through Allan Alaalatoa’s name, Tom Hooper will get the chance to further his World Cup credentials when he runs out in the No.7 jersey against the Chiefs in Saturday’s second Super Rugby semi-final in Hamilton.
While there wear genuine fears Alaalatoa would miss up to eight weeks with a calf injury when he came off early against the Chiefs late last month, the tight-head prop defied medical science by putting himself in a position to run out on Saturday.
Indeed, the Brumbies and Wallabies coach Eddie Jones were quietly optimistic he would return for the knockout match only a week ago.
But, with The Rugby Championship less that four weeks away and a World Cup on the horizon too, the decision was made to keep Alaalatoa in ice for another week.
“He’s come through most of the markers that we’ve wanted him to come through. We’re hoping that he’s going to be a lot closer next week than what he was this week,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham told reporters on Thursday.
Asked what role Rugby Australia played, Larkham said it was a “joint decision”.
“Any of the national contracted players, it’ll be a joint decision between the medical staff at the Brumbies and the Wallabies. We’ve had some good robust discussions over the course of the last week. We know it’s the right decision to give Al a little bit more time.
“It is quite remarkable how quickly he’s come through all of the processes that we put him through. But we’re all in agreeance that one more week is going to give him his best prep to perform.”
Allan Alaalatoa was ruled out of Saturday’s Super Rugby semi-final after “multiple robust discussions”. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)
With Australia’s Super Rugby sides 0-14 against New Zealand opposition across the ditch in finals, the Brumbies aren’t just up against history, they also face a formidable Chiefs side boasting All Blacks across the entire pack.
In particular, the Chiefs back five forwards from Brodie Retallick to Sam Cane and Luke Jacobson represent a giant and well balanced threat that will go hard at the breakdown and attempt to steam role the Brumbies.
To combat it, Larkham has brought in rising star Hooper, whose height at the lineout, work-rate and power in tight has seen him quickly emerge as one of Australia’s most exciting young forwards.
Interestingly, however, the 22-year-old hasn’t been named at blindside flanker or in the second-row but openside flanker, a position generally reserved for a hard on-baller, who operates like a thief in the night.
Adding to the intrigue around the selection, Rob Valetini and Pete Samu, who played the Bledisloe Tests last year in the No.7 jersey, have still been selected in the back-row.
“I think he’s made a really good impact in the games that he’s played for us this year, particularly around that contact zone,” Larkham said of Hooper.
“And so he’s got a role as a seven. So, Bobby’s going to play in six and Pete’s going to play at eight and Hoops has got that role at seven, so he’s got a few skills that he’s been working on this week that he’s not normally required to execute out there on the field, but we’ve got pretty good confidence that he’ll execute those. And then, obviously, the impact in and around the contact zones.”
The decision could be a pointer to Jones’ World Cup plans, with the Wallabies No.7 spot wide open.
While Jones has Michael Hooper and Fraser McReight as lighter openside options, there is a school of thought that the new Wallabies coach could opt for a big back-row, including a blindside flanker in the No 7 jersey, in certain scenarios.
With competition fierce to snag one of 33 plane tickets to France for the World Cup, versatility is another welcomed factor that could pay off for Hooper should he stand up to the best balanced back-row in Super Rugby.
Tom Hooper will play in the unusual No.7 position for the Brumbies on Saturday. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Nor was Hooper the only interesting selection, with Jack Debreczeni once again selected ahead of Noah Lolesio, whose conversion from out wide was crucial in the Brumbies edging past the Hurricanes last weekend.
“Again, that’s the continuity,” Larkham said on the selection, as he placed an emphasis on making minimal changes.
“Noah had a head knock a couple of weeks ago and he recovered well out of that. We started with Jack last week because similarly with Tooley [Corey Toole] this week, he wasn’t ready to train at the start.
“Jack performed really well and we know that the way that we’ve been using our subs throughout the year, Noah’s got a big part to play in this game. If you look at the result that we had on the weekend against the Hurricanes, had Noah not kicked that from the sideline, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are right now. There’s a big role for Noah coming off the bench.”
After Saturday’s high, Larkham said his side had struggled on the training paddock this week during their two training sessions. Not that’s concerned.
“We’ve had two sessions this week, Tuesday-Thursday, we’ve been messy on both days, but we’re expecting that in the game,” he said.
“It’s not going to come easy and there will be a lot of mistakes. I think it’s been pretty good prep for us.”
Jack Debreczeni will once again wear the No.10 jersey for the Brumbies against his former side. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Larkham’s side drove up the Hume Highway on Thursday night, with two busses and two plane trips required to get to Hamilton via Auckland on Friday morning.
It’s just another factor going against the Brumbies’ hopes of staying alive in the competition, particularly given the Chiefs have been nestled up at home all week.
“Well, we haven’t mentioned it (the 0-14 Australian record in New Zealand), no,” Larkham said.
“But no doubt you’ll be writing something about this now. So, they’ll be reading about it.
“We’ve got to get our preparation right. We’ve got to make sure that we’re not getting overawed by the situation, so there’s no point bringing up it’s a final.
“All games in Super Rugby are intense and Test match quality when you come up against the best teams in the comp, and we’ve experienced a number of those this year already. It’s no different for us.
“We get our preparation right and we have the right mindset coming into the game. Then, it’s a game like any other.”
Hooper, meanwhile, was bullish about his side’s hopes when he faced the media earlier this week.
“I saw a stat on the telly (TV) that no Australian team had won in 14 (finals) games in New Zealand and we definitely want to put an end to that,” Hooper said.
“Someone’s got to be the first. So why can’t it be us?”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.