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Michael Hooper moves past Israel Folau for new Wallaby record

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

John Eales has lauded Michael Hooper as one of rugby’s most consistent talents after the Wallabies captain won the prize named in his honour for a record fourth time.

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Hooper was awarded his second consecutive John Eales Medal on Sunday, the captain an obvious choice for the player-voted award after a tireless campaign that also saw him nominated for world player of the year.

The victory pushes him clear of three-time winner Israel Folau and confirms his status in the game in the same season he went past George Gregan as Australia’s most-capped skipper.

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Le French Rugby Podcast | Episode 15

It’s Coming Home… or Ramenez La Coupe A La Maison as Benji would say! We preview the 2022 Six Nations, discuss how badly Fabien Galthie’s preparations have been affected and what selection headaches he faces but, 12 years on from their last Six Nations triumph, do Johnnie and Benji think it’s going to be France’s year?
Plus, we look at some of the latest goings on in the Top 14, discuss one of the biggest brawls ever seen on a rugby pitch and pick our MEATER Moment Of The Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com

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Le French Rugby Podcast | Episode 15

It’s Coming Home… or Ramenez La Coupe A La Maison as Benji would say! We preview the 2022 Six Nations, discuss how badly Fabien Galthie’s preparations have been affected and what selection headaches he faces but, 12 years on from their last Six Nations triumph, do Johnnie and Benji think it’s going to be France’s year?
Plus, we look at some of the latest goings on in the Top 14, discuss one of the biggest brawls ever seen on a rugby pitch and pick our MEATER Moment Of The Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD10 at checkout for 10% off any full price item at Meater.com

“Michael is an incredible pillar of consistency in the Wallabies team,” Eales said.

“His performances as a captain and as a player, week in week out, season in season out, set the perfect example for his team.

“In the history of rugby, there haven’t been many players as consistent as Michael Hooper.

“His influence on this Wallabies team, and rugby in Australia, has been profound so he’s an easy guy for Wallabies supporters and former players to feel proud of.”

The Wallabies endured a tough start to their year in a Bledisloe Cup hiding but found form in the Rugby Championship against world No.1 South Africa, stringing five wins together for the first time since 2015.

Hooper played almost every minute of the season, only brought down by a foot injury that ruled him out of the final Test of the Spring Tour.

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The injury will sideline Hooper for the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season later this month, the Waratahs backrower returning after a season in Japan.

“It’s extremely humbling to be awarded the John Eales Medal in a year where there were so many stand-out performances across the squad,” the 118-Test veteran said.

“Players certainly don’t play the game for individual awards but there’s no doubt it’s special to be recognised by your teammates in this way.

“As a group we made some good strides last year but there’s still plenty to improve on and I’m looking forward to doing that with the Waratahs and the Wallabies this season.”

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JOHN EALES MEDALLISTS

* 2002 George Smith

* 2003 Phil Waugh

* 2004 David Lyons

* 2005 Jeremy Paul

* 2006 Chris Latham

* 2007 Nathan Sharpe

* 2008 George Smith

* 2009 Matt Giteau

* 2010 David Pocock

* 2011 Kurtley Beale

* 2012 Nathan Sharpe

* 2013 Michael Hooper

* 2014 Israel Folau

* 2015 Israel Folau

* 2016 Michael Hooper

* 2017 Israel Folau

* 2018 David Pocock

* 2019 Marika Koroibete

* 2020: Michael Hooper

* 2021 Michael Hooper

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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