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'Conservative approach' sees Michael Hooper miss Perth SVNS selection

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Michael Hooper during the Australian Wallabies training session at Sanctuary Cove on June 29, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper’s switch to sevens ahead of the Paris Olympics has suffered a delay.

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Wallaby Sevens coach John Manenti revealed on Friday that Hooper is still adjusting to the game and the team have decided to take “a conservative approach” to his transition.

The high-intensity nature of SVNS will offer the 32-year-old quite a change of pace after missing selection for the recent Rugby World Cup.

After revealing his intentions to give SVNS a shot last November, the Perth event was slated as Hooper’s ideal debut event, but it now looks as though Australian fans may have to wait a little longer to see Hooper in action.

“Michael is working hard as he continues to adapt to the Sevens workload,” coach John Manenti said.

“We’ve decided a take a conservative approach with his transition to the World Series and we will look for him to take part in further tournaments later on in the year.

“We are looking forward to seeing what he can add to the program in the coming weeks and months.”

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France star Antoine Dupont is slated to make his debut in Canada on the 23-25 of February, and that will be Hooper’s next chance to feature on the circuit.

The Perth event will be the third of the circuit and the Australian men currently sit fifth in the series standings, tied with Ireland, 12 points shy of leaders Argentina.

While Hooper is looking unlikely to feature in Perth, Henry Hutchison and Matt Gonzalez could make their return for the event after spells off with ACL and rib injuries respectively.

The Australians landed in Pool B for the Perth stop, landing them dates with Ireland, Great Britain and the USA in the opening round of the tournament.

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AM 40 minutes ago
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That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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