He might be the Australian men’s sevens biggest recruit this season, but former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper won’t be available for this month’s Perth Sevens.
Despite wanting to “roll out our new toy”, Australian Sevens coach John Manenti said Hooper wasn’t quite yet ready to complete his transition from the 15-a-side game.
“It’s a little bit disappointing because we’re keen to roll out our new toy, but he’ll get plenty of opportunities,” Manenti told The Roar.
“He’s only really been training with us since January 3. He’s been training, he works hard, and is pretty fit, but he’s got to be able to sprint back-to-back twice a day for three days in a row, which he hasn’t done yet.
“It’s just a matter of getting him up to speed. He’s had a bit of soreness, which has stopped us from being able to push.”
Aussie men’s Sevens coach John Manenti with Michael Hooper. (Photo by Nicholas Ward/ Rugby Australia)
Hooper’s unavailability means he will just have five more official tournaments in the new World Series SVNS tournament, with next month’s Vancouver leg now his target.
Should Hooper feature in the event, he will likely go toe-to-toe with arguably the world’s best player, with Les Bleus captain Antoine Dupont eyeing a debut at the tournament in Canada after also setting sight on featuring at the Paris Olympics.
In better news, sevens regular Henry Hutchison is set to make his comeback in Perth after rupturing his ACL at last year’s Sydney Sevens.
Hutchison was close to making his comeback at the Cape Town Sevens but suffered a slight setback during training with the Waratahs.
Matt Gonzalez is also set to be included, with the attacking livewire to tag team with Maurice Longbottom after recovering from a rib injury that saw him miss Australia’s run to the final in South Africa last month.
A toe injury means schoolboy sensation Hadley Tonga is unlikely to receive a call-up either, while Henry Paterson is edging closer but is likely to be fit for the North American legs of the tournament.
Australia will feel confident of making a run deep into the three-day tournament, with Manenti’s men grouped alongside Ireland, Great Britain and the USA in Pool B.
Australia’s women, meanwhile, have been grouped alongside Canada, Great Britain and South Africa.
Guess
Roar Rookie
It's not that any game is better it's that they're different
Guess
Roar Rookie
Idk it seems like crazy idea tbh
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Sounds like you were at the 2008 Commonwealth Games.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I'm sure a player who represented Australia both at league and union can manage a lower level contest like 7s.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
If he gets into position, and he has to score more tries than he concedes. When did you last watch 7s, it sounds like ten years ago? It is now a far more combative game, played at high speed.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Im worried that NZs current 7s coach aint up to standard Muzzo.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I think Folau would have been a sensational 7s player. Not sure he ever tried to become one tho.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
It does, because he was for years probably the hardest individual to stop. In 7s, that means tries the moment he touches the ball.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I have no idea why you are enamoured with rugby league. They did appear to be rhetorical questions and irrelevant to Hooper's prospects. They still are. Hooper has clearly acknowledged at all times the vast difference between 7s and 15s and the dramatic changes required in his physical conditioning. I rate his chances of conversion, even at this very late stage of his career, better than most attempted converts. If anything I would think it will be the physical battering that might foil him. I am not familiar enough with Du Pont or 7s to say that the gifts he has in 15s will make him a success in 7s. If there is nothing special he can't afford the luxury of a break or injury. Note that Hooper has several months start, he was starting to look slimmed down during the RWC broadcasts.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I have no recollection but will assume he was, although 7s in 2023 is a vastly different game to the turn of the century. Jonah's biggest struggle was having to turn and retrieve and I wonder whether he would cope in the modern 7s game. Granted, he may have dictated an alternative tactical approach from opponents. RIP one of the greats of sport.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Yes those amateurs over in the world of 7s rugby must be poring over those old NRL tapes and a losing NZ backline to figure out their tactics and selections. None of that commentary justifies an argument that Folau was suited to 7s at all.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
We’re both rookies LP :rugby: :happy:
LuckyPhil
Roar Rookie
I thought it was a site for never has beens to throw shade at professionals, in which case you fit right in.
formerflanker
Roar Rookie
Totally disagree with the "mentally frail" assessment.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
This a site for amateur feedback :silly:
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Muglair, thanks for your reply. If you read my original post, I wasn’t sure therefore I asked a question. Thanks for clearing that up. I should have used Dr google myself. I’m sorry I wasted your time (I do notice Cummins missed the 2016 Olympics due to injury). Maybe my original point should have been that a small number of 15s players have tried in the past to jump across to 7s for major tournaments ( Commonwealth games, Olympics) and have failed because they are completely different games. Someone like Hooper is trying to make the jump to 7s with no recent tournaments under his belt while the current players have been working hard towards the Olympics for the last couple of years. Therefore, in my opinion, Hooper and DuPont will struggle to make the Olympics. I hope I have explained myself a bit better . Happy rugby league
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Cannot agree more ..
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Think he is done with 15s in Oz. Don’t think trying 7s has anything to do with $$, just a change, maybe a refresh. Wouldn't be surprised post Olympics if he heads to Japan, although the surfing isn’t that great.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
True, but in 7s an amazing attacking player can be even more dominant, and they have to beat so many fewer opposition than in 15s. Simply giving him the ball would probably be enough to win. Also, the level of talent at the top of 15s will be higher than 7s, whatever their specialisation as it's a far more competitive world with vastly more money available. So Folau would be on a different level of ability which would be quite obvious. The Kangaroos backline before Folau left and All Blacks backline around 2000 are the two best backlines in the past 30 years. Both were a roll-call of unique talents, legends of the game, and that's compared to the talent of international 15 sides, let alone the much lower level of professional 7s.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
So your argument comes down to he is world class in 15s so he should be fine at 7s. You ignore his poor positional play in defence and assume it won't be a bigger problem in 7s. You assume that because his attacking prowess in 15s outweigh defensive weaknesses in 15s that his attacking prowess in 7s will again similarly outweigh defensive problems. In the modern 7s game I doubt he has the engine to get into position to have such an impact. He was an outstanding NRL and 15s player because of his athleticism and dynamic power, not his athleticism, speed and endurance.