Michael Hooper ’50-50′ to make Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad says Tim Horan
Star back-row Michael Hooper has a 50-50 chance of being part of Australia’s squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, according to legendary Wallabies centre Tim Horan.
Horan, who was part of two World Cup-winning squads in 1991 and 1999, revealed that Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones is in two minds over Hooper’s participation at the global showpiece in France which starts next month.
Jones is set to announce his World Cup squad on Thursday and Horan said he hopes Rugby Australia “give him (Hooper) the option” to go out on his terms if he is selected to go to France.
Named as Wallabies’ co-captain
After being named as the Wallabies’ new head coach, Jones installed Hooper and James Slipper as his co-captains.
However, the legendary flanker struggled in Australia’s Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Pretoria and then sustained a calf injury in the build-up to their next Test, against Argentina in Sydney.
During his stint on the sidelines, young flankers Fraser McReight and Tom Hooper have come through strongly for the Wallabies on the flanks. Meanwhile, Jed Holloway and Rob Leota have been used as cover for the lock and blindside flank position with Pete Samu another player still in contention – as he can play across all three back-row positions.
There is also a chance that Jones could opt to take an extra front-row to the World Cup as star prop Taniela Tupou is battling a rib injury after returning to action recently following a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
That means 125-Test veteran Hooper, who is yet to confirm his playing future beyond 2023, is in a battle to make it to a third World Cup.
“It’s probably a 50-50 call,” 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).”
The Wallabies have lost all four their Tests this year – against the Springboks, Los Pumas and twice to the All Blacks.
Improved performance against All Blacks
They showed much improvement in that second clash against New Zealand in Dunedin, however, and after racing into a 17-3 half-time lead they suffered a narrow 23-20 loss after a last-gasp penalty from Richie Mo’unga.
That means the matchday 23 from that Test will almost certainly be included in Jones’ 33-man World Cup squad. The squad is set to meet in Darwin for a four-day training camp from Thursday before leaving Sydney next week.
The Wallabies are set to face France in a World Cup warm-up match on August 28 before taking on Georgia in their tournament opener on September 10.
READ MORE: Eddie Jones makes big claim ahead of the Rugby World Cup