RWC News: Hooper breaks silence after Wallabies dumping, French star's tears, Barrett doubtful, 'weakest' All Blacks team

France second-rower Bastien Chalureau was reduced to tears on Tuesday, as the Montpellier forward was forced to deny that he was a racist.

The 31-year-old is appealing against a suspended six-month prison sentence for an alleged racially motivated attack in Toulouse in 2020.

It led to the six-capped forward being sacked by Toulouse, the current Top 14 champions, and joining Montpellier.

Chalureau was only called into Fabian Galthie’s 33-man squad last week after fellow lock Paul Willemse withdrew with a minor leg injury.

But ever since Chalureau was called up, his selection has been marred in controversy.

“I am not a racist, I do not have those values,” he told a press conference, bursting into tears as he answered questions.

“What I want to say to you is that I confessed to my mistakes, that I paid my debts and I deny all claims about racist remarks.”

Bastien Chalureau was reduced to tears earlier in the week after denying he is a racist. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

The controversy has seen French President Emmanuel Macron brought in, with the rugby lover visiting the French national team earlier in the week.

Galthie, a former captain who played at the 1999 World Cup, told Macron his called-up lock would front the media.

“If he has to cry, he’ll have to cry. He’ll have to do these things,” Galthie said.

Chalureau was convicted of “acts of violence committed because of the victim’s race or ethnicity” after assaulting two people, including French former professional rugby player Yannick Larguet.

While Chalureau admitted to the acts of violence, he denied making racist comments.

Hooper breaks silence after Wallabies dumping

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper admits he’s unclear where he sits in Eddie Jones’ thinking but says he will be prepared if the head coach comes knocking.

Hooper, 31, was one of several controversial omissions in Jones’ World Cup squad.

While Jones had hinted that Hooper was racing the clock to be fit after tweaking his calf early in The Rugby Championship, many thought Jones would still take the Wallabies’ capped captain to France.

He didn’t, with Jones picking just five players over 30 in the squad as he overhauled the entire squad.

Speaking for the first time publicly since his exclusion, Hooper revealed that the injury had been more troublesome than he hoped since his injury was first reported by The Roar ahead of the Wallabies’ loss to Argentina in July.

“Well yeah it was, we think a minor strain in that South Africa game and then I blew it a bit more, first training back at Manly,” Hooper told Wide World of Sport.

“It looked pretty straightforward, two weeks, and wanted to push for that Bledisloe as you always do and then sort of re-tweaked. And then realised the extent of what the injury was going to be and then it was going to be a bit longer. So when the news came through that I wasn’t going overseas, I had more time to get it right.

“So, right now, like running really well and pretty much ready to go.”

Michael Hooper (L) and Quade Cooper (M) were both left out of Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

While Jones picked several players under injury cloud (Samu Kerevi, Max Jorgensen and Jordan Uelese), he left out Hooper and Len Ikitau despite both likely being fit early in the tournament. Ikitau is understood to be fit.

Asked how the communication played out with Jones, Hooper danced around the issue other than saying he would be fit if called up.

“Yeah, look, I mean, it’s probably a bit of everything, right? The tough thing was the re-injury and ‘how long is this thing?’ Calves have a bit of a notorious nature about them and when are they going to come right?” he said.

“So there was a bit of ambiguity there. It wasn’t as clean, probably, as some injuries are. Usually with an injury, you can push through the pain a bit. What I learned with this is this is not a type of push through pain situation.

“This needs to be right for it to take the load and the load really increases when you run. So the calf was a bit fiddly in terms of how that all came out. Look, the timing didn’t work out and the situation wasn’t right. So that’s rugby. I’ve been on the right side of it for so long and I wasn’t on the right side of it this time.

“So in terms of timing, in terms of selection, all those things – my only regret will be not being ready if I’m called upon. So, I’m pretty much there now.”

Michael Hooper (R) says time will tell whether Eddie Jones’ selections paid off, but the former captain insists he will be ready if called up. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Asked whether he knew where he stood in the pecking order, Hooper said it was unclear.

“No, no, it’s not clear,” Hooper said. “You never know what can happen. I’m not needing real certainty around it. It’s just I’ve got to be ready if I’m called up.”

His axing came less than two months after being named co-captain alongside James Slipper.

Hooper said time would tell whether Jones’ calls would pay off, but added he respected the coach’s selection.

“Yeah, it’s an interesting one, right? Like you won’t know what it’s like until after the fact. Like with anything, hindsight’s beautiful in that sense,” Hooper told WWOS.

“Right now there has been significant changes but he’s got a plan and he’s executing that plan. I respect that he’s going after those decisions and making some big calls, you know, that’s his job in there as coach. He’s putting together a team to do what he wants to do and wants to see that happen. So that’s got to be supported by all Wallabies.”

Barrett doubtful for French foray

All Blacks midfielder Jordie Barrett is in doubt for his side’s World Cup opener against France as battles to overcome a niggling knee injury.

Barrett, who has proved a revelation at inside centre this season after shifting forward, has not trained this week in the lead up to Friday’s tournament curtain-raiser at Stade de France.

“He’s had the night off and the day off today,” New Zealand’s assistant coach Scott McLeod said after training in Lyon on Tuesday. “We’ll have to see how he wakes up tomorrow. He’ll have an assessment before (training) to see where he’s at, and we’ll go from there.”

Jordan Petaia tackles Jordie Barrett in July. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

The three-times world champions suffered their worst ever Test defeat in the recent 35-7 drubbing by South Africa at Twickenham, having won all four of their previous matches in 2023. McLeod said the players were more switched on at camp after the Springboks setback.

“Their ears have been open a lot more, they’ve searched a lot deeper in terms of their execution and understanding of what they have to do,” he said. 

“The legacy of the jersey means a great deal to the players, and they don’t want to let that down. From my knowledge of All Blacks teams, when they lose, they hurt a lot. They don’t like losing and want to rectify it.

“That will be our motivation first and foremost, that’s what we’ve been building towards. (Playing) France just adds to that motivation in terms of being the host nation, and one of our great opponents.”

French great’s extraordinary All Blacks call

France great Olivier Magne isn’t shying away from giving the All Blacks some ammunition, saying the three-time world champions are their “weakest in history” after of their clash against Les Bleus in the tournament opener.

Magne, who played 89 Tests, was withering his assessment of Ian Foster’s men in his column for Midi Olympique.

“To me, the Big Three of this World Cup is France, SA (South Africa) and Ireland,” he wrote.

“I am especially worried about this New Zealand team. When I see the level that the XV of France is able to display over 80 minutes against Australia … this opening game could be tough for the All Blacks.”

Ethan de Groot looks dejected following the All Blacks’ heavy to the Springboks at Twickenham Stadium on August 25, 2023 in London. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Despite winning The Rugby Championship and scrapping home against the Wallabies in Dunedin, the All Blacks’ heavy defeat to the Springboks at Twickenham has left many thinking they are no longer the power they once were during the past decade.

“South Africa’s display against New Zealand is significant for the world of rugby,” Magne added.

“Now, isn’t this All Blacks team the weakest in history? I’m wondering. Really. I feel like New Zealand’s Rugby Championship wins were a bit of a sham.”

Ireland lose key trio ahead of World Cup opener

Ireland trio Jack Conan, Dan Sheehan and Dave Kilcoyne have been ruled out of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener against Romania in Bordeaux.

Back-rower Conan, who suffered a foot problem against Italy a month ago, was the only member of Andy Farrell’s 33-man squad to sit out training on Tuesday morning.

Hooker Sheehan took part in the session at the team’s training base in Tours but will not be rushed back into action following the foot injury he sustained against England on August 19.

Hooker Dan Sheehan will miss Ireland’s opener against Romania. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Prop Kilcoyne is returning to fitness following a hamstring issue.

Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell said: “Everyone’s going well, there are a few guys still finishing their rehab and they won’t be involved at the weekend.

“But by and large we’re close to a full bill of health.

“Dan and Jack Conan (will not be involved). David Kilcoyne as well is struggling a little bit but should be OK next week.”

Ireland begin the competition at the top of the world rankings and among the favourites to go the distance.

O’Connell is preparing for his first World Cup as a coach but has vast experience of the tournament having travelled to the 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 editions as a player.

The 43-year-old believes Ireland’s squad are far better prepared than the last World Cup in France – a forgettable pool stage exit 16 years ago – and do not need to “reinvent the wheel”.

Asked about the wisdom gained during his playing days, he said: “One of my experiences would have been in 2007 being over-trained a little bit and probably got the hotel wrong, got the food wrong a little bit and fuelling is such a big part of preparation.

“Your temptation as a player is to train as hard as you can but you need to leave something in the tank a little bit as well. And your temptation as a coach is the same, I would say.

“The other thing is sometimes you feel like you come to a World Cup and you need to reinvent the wheel a little bit.

“We want to evolve and get better for sure but it’s not about reinventing anything and those are my two lessons.

“I think Andy, even though he wasn’t involved with Ireland, would have had similar experiences and would be trying to put a similar strategy in place.”

With AAP