Michael Hooper has a new unwelcome record
Australian captain Michael Hooper picked up a very unflattering record on Saturday during his sides 30-6 loss to England at Twickenham. The Wallaby flanker found himself setting the record for most yellow cards received by an international player.
When he received the card it marked Hoopers eighth yellow in 77 test caps taking him above Jamie Cudmore from Canada (43 caps), Marco Bortolami (111 caps) of Italy and South African Bryan Habana (124 caps) who all are all sitting on seven yellow cards a piece.
Hooper found himself on the wrong side of referee Ben O’Keeffe just after the half-hour mark as England were attacking the Australian line. After a succession of infringements including tackling the lifter at the lineout and collapsing a maul O’Keeffe felt he had only one option.
The flanker was not the only player in gold to receive a yellow on the day as full-back Kurtley Beale was also sent to the bin just eight minutes later.