Tim Horan rates Michael Hooper a 50-50 chance of World Cup selection and hopes Rugby Australia “give him the option” to go out on his terms if the Wallabies champion isn’t on the plane to France.
Eddie Jones will confirm his 33-man squad for next month’s showpiece on Thursday, Hooper’s status looming as the biggest call.
The returning coach’s first move was to name Hooper as co-captain alongside James Slipper.
But the 31-year-old was ineffective in a heavy loss to South Africa and is battling a calf injury that’s kept him out of the side’s last three Tests.
Michael Hooper . (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
In that time Tom Hooper and Fraser McReight have shown their wares in the No.6 and 7.
Jed Holloway and Rob Leota have been employed as cover in the lock and No.6 positions, while versatile back-rower Pete Samu could still earn a spot despite being cut for the Bledisloe Cup.
Jones could also opt to take another prop as cover, given Taniela Tupou is nursing a rib injury after a long rehabilitation from a torn Achilles.
It leaves the 125-Test veteran, who is yet to confirm his playing future beyond this year, in a fight to feature at a third World Cup.
“It’s probably a 50-50 call,” two-time World Cup-winning Wallabies centre Horan told AAP.
“For what he’s done for the game and Wallabies brand in a difficult period over the last 10 years, plus his current leadership and ability, I’d be picking him.
“But he’s probably the No.2 or No.3 in line, fourth if they do go with Samu, who would be one of my first forwards picked.
“So if he doesn’t go, I hope Rugby Australia give him the option (to announce his Test retirement).”
Jones turned to youth with relative success in last Saturday’s All Blacks Test, a halves pairing of debutant captain Tate McDermott and Carter Gordon giving the Wallabies an early 17-3 lead before they were pipped 23-20.
That performance meant the 23 players used in Dunedin have likely punched their tickets, Samu Kerevi and David Porecki picking up injuries that shouldn’t jeopardise their French campaigns.
Hooker Jordan Uelese and outside centre Len Ikitau are likely inclusions too as they recover from injury.
The assured Andrew Kellaway replaced the axed Tom Wright at fullback for the Bledisloe Cup while Jordan Petaia wore the No.13, but could fill any spot in the backline.
Ben Donaldson and Dylan Pietsch haven’t played a minute under Jones but been retained in his squads as utilities, rated as precious in a Cup campaign, while veteran Bernard Foley is likely relying on the coach picking a third five-eighth if he’s to join Carter and Quade Cooper in France.
The squad will gather in Darwin for a four-day camp from Thursday before an official farewell in Sydney next week.
The Wallabies, who have sunk to No.8 in the world, will play the host nation in a final World Cup tune-up on August 28 (AEST) before their opener against Georgia on September 10.
Micko
Roar Rookie
You’ve got to be kidding SBW is by far the worst commentator- in both codes!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Is BPA back to fitness?
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
As a neutral I cannot fathom some of the commentary here. If Michael is fit he must go. Just like Samu MUST go. World Cup experience will be valuable and if Hooper is fit he will add to the group. He is fearless and tireless. God, I might even give him a run at centre. Speaking of which, does anyone know the prognosis on Ikitau? But...given recent outings where is playing with that injury, he also MUST prove his fitness. No plane for him if that's not the case. I respect and admire his contribution to the Wallabies in an era of mediocrity, where he was often a stand-out, and wish him the best either way...
Banjo Kelly
Roar Rookie
Righto. A month ago if anyone said let’s drop Michael Hooper for Tom Hooper, Pete Samu for Rob Leota, Tom Wright for Vunavalu and Reece Hodge for Donaldson they would be laughed out of town. Embarrassing. Need 3 halfbacks. Jorgensen hasn’t played for months has he?
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Ask Eddie Bobby. He’s the coach.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Great. You'd be stoked that Ben Donaldson looks likely. :happy:
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
The wallabies cannot afford to bring Hooper with all the question marks the squad will already have. While I'd love for a 90% in form Hooper to be there and end his career on a high... it is just bad business to take him.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Who is the workhorse lock if not him? Rodda is the best Wallaby lock for his all around game. He and Skelton would be a perfect blend of workrate and impact. Phillip is the closest we have to Rodda. He calls the lineout, right?
cs
Roar Guru
I'll be very disappointed if Philip doesn't go. Bloke's earned it.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Frankly, I'd go for Phillip over Arnold. I don't see the value of typing up a Giteau pick on him when it's debatable that he's better. Allows room for Sio. I'd be getting BPA in too. No way that power 2 spot has been locked up by Uelese
cs
Roar Guru
I agree with you. In my view, he's still a good length ahead of McReight. I also think we need someone who can step up and, say, kick a 50/22 while everyone else is looking the other way, as he did this season. In the intensity of a top shelf knock-out, the team will have to rely on experienced players. Wasn't that why Cheika resurrected Gits? Yet like you, I couldn't leave Matt Philip out. Heart and soul. I'd give him your Samu/Gleeson spot. The latter would only be a development pick, and the former seems on the outer anyway. Surprised to see Donaldson is in as a utility, a clear development pick. Hope that's at the expense of Vunivalu not Hodgey.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
If you assume Frost and Holloway give you the 6/lock cover and Samu the 6/7/8 then maybe you can carry two out and out 7's. I have always been a defender of Hoops here so I'd be happy to see him finish in a WC but I'm OK allowing Jones to decide if he does that on merit. I see no place for sentimental selections in something as big as this for the players so he needs ot there on merit.
cs
Roar Guru
Bit mild for you Tooly. Getting soft?
cs
Roar Guru
Were it me, I'd leave out Leota, assuming Hoops is over his injury.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
If we assume there will 9 back 5 players, I see Skelton, Arnold (I'd choose Phillip but don't think Eddie will), Frost, Holloway, Leota, Thooper, McReight, Valentini and Samu/Gleeson. Who misses out for an unfit Mhooper? I'm not sure his form this year justifies pushing one of those guys out and he lacks the versatility of most of them bar FMR.
Big Red Machine
Roar Rookie
100%. One of the greatest players of his generation but now the worst commentator and pundit getting around. It’s bloody embarrassing!
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Timmy should be put out to pasture as a so called ‘unbiased’ commentator on ‘our’ terms. Wrap it up Timmy… get the Honey Badger in there! Stan??
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Spencer….Well said. Rebuilding with a younger group not accustomed to losing is the way forward…. Keep picking the same players… get the same results…
Bodger
Roar Rookie
The best Hooper has played is when he came back from Japan in my opinion. He played little rugby in Japan but came back fit, fast and hungry. I don’t see any issue with Hooper coming in with little game time, think it’s probably a good thing for him to be rested, if his calf is fine and he’s fit for the WC he goes for me. The Boks targeted Hooper as he was the only on ball risk in the forwards and Hooper got injured a few times in that game and carried on playing injured. Hooper has been such a resilient player over the years, played so much rugby at a intense standard he’s showed he is durable but if his calf is not right then he loses his impact. Just need to see how we lost our own breakdowns in the second half against the ABs when we took off our 7 who also organises the forwards especially in defence. Changing McReight for Leota was one big factor why we lost the second half. We didn’t need a lumbering big back rower when the team slowed we needed someone with pace and energy to secure ball, attack the fringes, back up ball carriers etc. Fast mobile forwards come into their own in the second half of games. Not taking Hooper (if fit) or Samu would be a huge mistake.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
They LOST !! There’s always younger players coming through. How many debutants have we had in the last year ! Think about it. Form is the key. Otherwise just “build” to 2027 or 2031. That’s between 60 to 120 test matches !