Michael Hooper is now 31 years old. One day after the 2023 World Cup climaxes with the final at the Stade de France on 28th October, he will turn 32. The 124-cap Wallaby legend is already looking at the spectre of retirement from the game he loves, and he is looking it squarely in the face.
Hooper is one of the very best openside flankers to have played the game in the professional era, in any country. But the unmistakable signs of entropy over a long and glittering career surfaced when the Waratah back-rower unexpectedly withdrew from the Australian squad to play Argentina on the eve of the 2022 Rugby Championship.
Like any other elite contact sport, rugby had taken its pound of flesh. Anyone who has watched Brian O’Driscoll’s searingly honest telly series After The Roar will have some inkling just how deep the rabbit hole of mental health issues for professional sportsmen goes.
It is no different for Michael Hooper. This is how he took up the story at the time, in an interview with Georgina Robinson of the Sydney Morning Herald:
“I’ve got high expectations of myself. Pulling out of a game is certainly right up there with something I couldn’t have seen myself doing.
“I’d been playing the game for a long time, had some great changes in my life happen this year and I think there were a lot of things running through my head that showed up in Argentina.
“Argentina wasn’t the place where I could sort those things out. I wanted to be around family, I wanted to be in a place that I could put the time in that I wanted to put in.
“That doesn’t mean now that I’m sitting here completely cured, it’s not like that at all. But at that point in time, I needed to be somewhere else and that wasn’t Argentina.”
At the time, Hooper was willing to pass on the mantle of captaincy to the likes of Brumbies duo James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa: “I do have a wealth of experience in this outfit and I want to be able to pass that on to younger guys like Slips and Allan, and the coaching staff too.”
Although he returned to the international fold on the November tour, and subsequently to Super Rugby Pacific action early in 2023, the feeling persists that he cannot quite shake off the rough beast of impending retirement which is slouching towards him.
If Michael Hooper has come back to the game to which he has given so much over his stellar career, the game has not come back to him with quite the same generosity.
Some of the off-field doubts he expressed back in October 2022 still hold true of his play on it, seven months later:
“As a younger man I viewed asking for help as a bit of a weakness. That’s the way I viewed it. You want to feel like you have it all worked out. I certainly didn’t.
“The beautiful thing about rugby and the hard thing about sport is there’s always the next goal, so you can move on and you can move on quick.
“It came around suddenly. It was probably exacerbated being overseas but certainly, where I’m at in my career and things like that, you start to look at [life] post rugby.
“I’ve got a family now. There’s a lot more elements than being a 22-year-old pretty much concerned about yourself. That played into it. I think it’s only natural that as an athlete, there’s going to be a transition point in my career, and that was a factor.”
If Michael Hooper has come back to the game to which he has given so much over his stellar career, the game has not come back to him with quite the same generosity. Whether he appears in sky blue or in green and gold, nagging doubts remain about just how much there is left in a rugby tank which once seemed inexhaustible.
In an article a few weeks ago, I examined the stats of the three main contenders in Eddie Jones’ new Wallaby squad for the core No 7 role, Hooper, Fraser McReight and Brad Wilkin.
Purely in terms of primary aspects like tackle completion percentage, ball-carrying interval and on-ball pilfers, Hooper was beginning to fall slightly behind his fiercest rivals for the same spot. Three rounds later, the stats still do not offer Eddie Jones any conclusive evidence that Michael Hooper has returned to the best version of himself.
Here are the attacking stats:
These are the figures on defence:
Both the bigger man (Brad Wilkin) and the smaller openside (Fraser McReight) are currently squeezing more value out of their carries and making more tackles on defence. Other points of difference include the four lineouts won by Wilkin and the 12 balls at the breakdown stolen by McReight.
In Super Rugby Pacific 2023, McReight has moved far ahead of his Australian rivals in terms of his ability to identify opportunities to turn over ball at the tackle area, and his conversion rate is two or three times higher when he locks on to the ball.
It was no different in Townsville on Saturday evening, with McReight and Hooper going head to head in the local derby between the Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs. The Queensland man ran for 65 metres off 13 carries compared to Hooper’s 6 runs for 23 metres. On defence, McReight had four turnovers off eight defensive ruck appearances compared to Hooper’s zero from two. It was one of Queensland’s few individual victories in a game dominated by their State-of-Origin rivals.
What did it look like in practice? Inevitably, much of the action with two livewire No 7s in direct opposition orbited around the breakdown. The Reds like to have McReight hang off the initial tackle so that he can attack the ball on the ground at the right moment. His first success came in the 20th minute of the game:
McReight drops in behind Harry Wilson at first contact and then pounces like a griffon vulture on the prairie. Successful pilferers are often vulnerable to a turnover themselves immediately after winning the pill, but McReight is so fast to his feet that there is no question of him returning the favour to the Tahs.
Where McReight looked razor-sharp, Michael Hooper appeared uncharacteristically sluggish in his approach to the tackle zone:
The ex-Wallaby skipper gets off the side of the scrum a step or two behind his young challenger and that means McReight is first to the ball, with neither Izaia Perese nor the late-arriving Hooper able to move him off it.
The question of urgency was reinforced by another incident at the tackle area in the 36th minute:
The ball is exposed, and there to be won after Reds’ second row Connor Vest takes an opportunity to counter-ruck, but where McReight is alive to the possibilities presented, the response from his opposite number is surprisingly apathetic.
McReight’s final turnover of the game also involved another head-to-head with Michael Hooper, on this occasion from a lineout:
Hooper takes off Queensland prop Sef Fa’agase after a carry by Langi Gleeson, leaving McReight to his team-mate Tetera Faulkner. The result is predictable, with referee Angus Gardner whistling another penalty to the Reds.
Even on the rare occasions when Michael Hooper got to the ball ahead of Fraser McReight, the Queenslander still ended up on the right side of the ledger:
This time Hooper gets his hands on the ball presented by Tate McDermott. But Fraser McReight is still on hand to repossess it in the next slice of action.
Michael Hooper’s solitary win over his rival came with the Reds looking to run the ball back out of their own 22 late on in the second period:
Both 7s are running the outside channel, one in attack and the other on defence; but on this occasion, Hooper delivers an excellent chop tackle to set up the jackaling opportunity for Gleeson.
It is impossible not to sympathize with the sporting icon who suddenly tires of the hamster wheel of travelling, training and playing, and finds him or herself in a psychological black hole. The endless diet of quick-fire ‘highs’ are not enough, and fame is no protection – as both ex-Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll and now, ex-skipper of the green-and-gold Michael Hooper, have found. The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike.
At the same time, Wallaby head coach Eddie Jones will be increasingly concerned that Hooper has not returned from his private underworld as the same player he was before the dark descent ever began. The desire may be there, but the concrete outcomes on the field are not.
As a result, Hooper is coming under pressure to justify his place in the Wallabies starting XV; from men in bigger bodies, like Brad Wilkin, and from smaller and quicker rivals with similar strengths, like Queensland’s Fraser McReight. Both Wilkin’s all-round consistency, and McReight’s prowess over the tackle ball are becoming very hard to ignore.
It is an unwanted problem at a time when Eddie Jones needs all the experience he can muster. There will be plenty of secretive finger-crossing that Michael Hooper can find his way back, all the way back to the outstanding version of an openside flanker he was in 2021; and to the man who has graced the game in his homeland, and on the global stage for so long.
Thanks for your kind comment 'Phil' ('Khun Phil' from the other place). It has n't appeared here (yet) but appreciated.
Hi Nick, bit off topic but relevant to the Wallabies selections and chances this year. James Slipper (who has given a decent account of himself in the past) just got a bit dusted up in the scrums for the Brumbies vs Highlanders this past weekend. He was facing Saula Ma’u the Highlanders 2nd pick tighthead. Should the Wallabies be concerned?
IIRC he also gave up 7 pens in the November series in Europe OM? It's a fascinating choice between Slips and a fit Gus Bell, who gets pinged for hingeing a lot... I think I'd prob take Bell but it's a tough one.
Thanks Nick...! This reading takes account of the small advantages that players begin to offer in the late afternoon of their careers. McReight was a pleasant surprise for me, in 2022. SuperRugby demands body and soul applied to improving the game and that double application is what defines one contender in relation to another. There are few men as effective as McReight in stealing balls and bringing about change of status.
Is that Francisco from The Roar?
I have the impression that Fraser has kicked on again, and when you get such a large disparity in the stats for steals it probably means he is making smarter decisions around the BD!
HI Nick glad you landed at a decent post. I think you are right and Hooper should be on the bench to finish the game with Samu. Who the starting 7 is not fixed between McRight and Wilkin but as you said Eddie is conservative in his selections when it comes to it, he might start Hooper and swap at half-time.
You never know with Eddie.
It's hard to pick between the three top guys at 7 atm, Hoops may get the benefit of the doubt because of his huge experience but Eddie will want to see something ahead of the WC.
And yes, writing about rugby is a nice adjunct to working within it!
Brave piece Nicholas.
Outside your match up clips, I thought Hoops had a strong game against the Reds. Could not a different selection from general play support a happier story?
Other considerations also come into play in view of the WC. The main one is that experience is at a premium in big-time knock-out tournaments.
For mine, it's too early to count Hoops out. Cometh the larger theatres, cometh the champion.
He did make 14 tackles to McReight's 9 but in general as you know, I try to pick representative bits of action. You may be right and he will come good again in time for the WC, more power to his elbow!
But if SRP form becomes a ruthless guide, FMR and Wilkin are ahead of him at the time of speaking.
If only we could have got Sean McMahon at 7. He would have been brilliant but he was played out of position by Cheika to protect Hooper
Sean McMahon seemed to have a horrible run with injuries, not sure it was Cheika who held him back.
Sean Mac was actually very good playing in the same BR as Hoops, at number8....
Interestingly, the same day we have an article by you and Harry on Hooper. It shows that the Roar lost by letting you go. Thanks for the terrific insight. Funnily, my brother bumped into Hooper last year at the local supermarket and got a "usfie" (selfie of two people) with Hoops. He did not look as tall as the stats suggest. I know my brother's height...
I am sure its pure coincidence Carlos! 😄
But hey, always good to get a free piggy-back ride eh?...
Thanks Nick. I think the argument will come down to who plays No. 8. Valetini is a certainty cat 6 for mine with Leota (if fit) as a 6/8 bench player. At the Rebels, Wilkin is more impressive devoting his strength as a tackler and ball carrier when he can rely on Hardwick to be the jackel. Noticeable lift v. the Brumbies tis past week before his injury. So who is the Wallaby No 8. I don't rate Wilson at all and I think this is where Eddie will be most worried. Gleeson could be it but Naisarani could be a late smokey.
Hooper will be at the World Cup injury allowing. I don't think either McReight or Wilkin are certainties. No 8 options will be the deciding factor.
Wilson is suffering from terrible coaching by Brad Thorn. Thorn was a great player but a very limited coach.
Hi Peter. Agreed, Bobby V is a certainty and I can't see Eddie playing both him and Gleeson together. And yes, you prob do need another jackal alongside Wilkin in the B/R, which means he might have to play 6 if he plays at all.
You still need some more lineout from at least one of them if either Hooper or FMR starts at 7. A lot more. So they may still end thinking of Holloway/Swinton/Frost at 6, and that means only one of the top three 7's can start.
Good article thanks Nick and it is good to see that you have a high quality publication here at rugbypass, at which you can continue your work 😉.
I have always rated Hooper for his engine, toughness and desire, but bring unsentimental about it as we should, he just isn't the same player now. I don't think he is good enough fir Wallabies selection now.
I have also taken some convincing about McReight's skills and onfield judgement, preferring Liam Wright's outstanding rugby brain in the bigger body, but McReight has grown into a genuine intenational seven and good on him for it. I was especially impressed at McReight's humility when on Wallabies tour, getting very little game time but still supporting the team.
He is clearly the best seven in the country now and just the sort of man that the Wallabies need.
Mike saving himself?
Good to hear from you Rhys. Yes it was hard to keep pace with the descent at the other place 😲
I doubt many would argue that Fraser is not ahead on form, but here's the interesting thing... Eddie often says he picks on form but more frequently doesn't. Part of the problem which led to his England exit.
So in a way he may be forced to resolve exactly the same issue now.
Have wondered all year if the pace of the game now is a problem for him, odd thing to say about Hooper I know. He’s kind of caught in a no man’s land, not a primary tackler like a Cane, not the designated jackler like Mcreight, and hardly the second channel ball runner he was. His continued Tahs selection has held Gamble back this year as well. I concur Nick, he might well miss the big show when they need to select 6 loosies and achieve some balance.
Agree that Hoops is not an out and out jackler, but he never has been, it's his defense and work around the park that keeps him in the starting 15. Regarding Gamble, well he was not himself at the start of the season, mind you neither was Will Harris, and then Gamble picked up the injury. I don't think he's being held back, maybe DC just wants more experience on the park, especially with the precarious position the Tahs are in. Regarding WC selection, Jones will still pick Hoops, if not as a starter but more so for experience. He could start in the not so important matches and provide backup for McReight should he pickup an injury.
Yes the Tahs have him more as tackler - 14 to McReght's 9 at the weekend, and probably he's always been a bit better at that. The duo with Pocock certainly worked better with him tackling and DP on-ball... Ofc he'll be cut some slack, but it's not like the situation is pressure-free either. Not quite the same as in NZ, where there is a very positive choice to be made between Papalii and Cane.
Thank you. This is an interesting article but I think you are comparing apples with oranges to a certain extent. Hooper has never been a ball pilfered. Gill was that in the early days of the number 7 revelry. Hopper was chosen over Gill for other reasons, some, some might say, we’re political. Hopper’s work in open play and ball carrying are better skills to compare with Fraser. In these, he certainly has come up short.
I think youd still expect Hoops to get closer to McReight from the stats in previous seasons Rob. I would not expect him to be behind Wilkin either.
Good piece Nick. I hope hooper comes good, but that lack of urgency in your clip is worrying and usually an area he never loses in. He still performed well in 2022 against teams like ireland so I still have faith, but he better start showing something soon... McReight was also probably the form 7 of SR last year as well. I worry with Mcreight on the defensive side of things, he just isn't physically imposing in the tackle or breakdown (at intl level). He may be a more 'traditional' jackler compared to hooper, but he has yet to show that effectiveness at test level. Whereas Hooper has an uncanny ability to make a mess of the ruck and create turnovers any number of ways from counter rucking, disrupting the 9 etc etc.
Urgency work rate double efforts, all Hooper calling cards!
The things analysis like this miss is building for the rugby world cup. I think it was an article here about Aaron Smith that pointed out the same thing. I put my money on Hooper managing his workload knowing when his peak has to be, getting himself into the world cup winning mindset, and hopefully his coach is listening.
Sure he might not be having the same current impact people competing for his jersey might but they are aiming to peak at different times. Winning a world cup spot is a peak now (or in 8 weeks for the Super Rugby finals), winning a world cup is a peak later goal.
And that's ignoring the other off the ball skills that experience brings...
Its not so much missing as where you attach weight to performance Max. I thought Hoops might want to lay down a marker against FMR. You cannot expect to find a peak for the WC without gaining momentum before it...
This a sad article. I have been dreading the day when an article like this was written. I believe we are seeing the inevitable decline of a player who has been one of our greatest number 7s and unless he can turn his game around he should not be going to the RWC.
Hopefully it will just be Hoops playing within himself Fran, prepping for the WC
Thanks, Nick. A player who I think is flying a bit under the radar is Rory Scott. There's something very "van der Flier" about him. Any chance of adding his stats as a fourth piece of evidence?
On hols atm Rob, will look when I get back! Interesting comparison though, and worth pursuing.
Thanks Nick
Sadly it is looking that way.
When I picked my own team RWC after the weekend (as I do every week) based on accumulated form, he wasn't in it. McReith was in it. I wasn't sure about the second 7, but a largish Brumby guy called Jerome Brown impressed me the most.
What will be will be I guess.
Still time for Hoops to come back ofc, but it is what it is atm Adrian
Say it isn't so Nick! You told me not so long ago that Hooper would come right, that the old dog knew how to bide his time and I slept soundly.
I saw that moment when Hooper stood back as ball was turned over and couldn't believe my eyes. I still hope he can turn it around but it just looks like he's good enough to phone it in for the Waratahs, but not the Wallabies.
Can I get your read on Lolesio and Carter? I was impressed on how the latter recovered after going a bit quiet after being physically targeted. That left to right bullet at the end was incredible. Think he's ready for a Test?
I still hope he will ND, but this is the state of affairs right now! Noah and Carter is about 50 50 right now I reckon. I wrote article on both a few weeks ago on this very platform, and they are hard to separate...
Michael Hooper is the worst thing to happen to Australian rugby. He is the worst Wallaby captain in the modern era. We have been failing because of Michael Hooper, not inspite of him.
We have been going backwards ever since he decided to back Kurtley Beale and not his Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie, who was the best Wallaby coach we had seen since Rod MacQueen.
Cant agree with that John, nor would his opponents.
Best of luck to Hooper - He’s a good Rugby 🏉 man.
Indeed he is. 👍